One-Year Master's Program "Slavery Studies"

Our Master's program is a one-year, research-oriented degree program offering you a broad perspective on interdisciplinary research on slavery and slavery-like phenomena through time and space.

We offer a concise and in-depth Master's program that is specialized in Slaveries and slavery-like phenomena through time and space from an interdisciplinary perspective. Our Master students profit from the cutting-edge research on slavery and the newly developed concept of "strong asymmetrical dependency" conducted in the interdisciplinary and international environment of the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies/the Cluster of Excellence "Beyond Slavery and Freedom."

When and how to apply?

Apply now via our University of Bonn Online Application Portal for Graduate Programs.

We accept applications between 1 April and 2 September 2024. Due to long visa application processes, we highly advise international students to apply as early as possible.

At a Glance

Degree: Master of Arts
Duration: 1 year (2 semesters)
Language of Instruction: English
Start: winter term (October)
Credits: 60 ECTS
Costs: "university fee" (~ € 600/p.a.) and living expenses
Funding opportunities:

For stipends and scholarships please check the website of stipendiumplus
For international students the scholarship search database by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is especially recommended

Quality Features

a specialized and innovative Master’s degree in "Slavery Studies"
an interdisciplinary and intercultural research environment
support and supervision by internationally renowned scholars
excellent qualification within two semesters including small peer groups
excellent student support

The Program

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.

The basic module (1) provides a sound knowledge of relevant historical phenomena as well as of the methodological and theoretical tools to pursue your own study and research interests.
In accordance with the interdisciplinary perspective and innovative character of our program, the study program includes classes on transcultural comparison and current research debates (2 & 3).
Compulsory Elective Modules provide the room to follow your own interests and to explore textual sources, material culture, and empirical data. The 4th module is dedicated to preparing your Master’s thesis.

Admission requirements

A 4-year B.A. or equivalent degree acquired in Germany or abroad in

Archaeologies, Asian or Islamic Art History, Comparative Religious Studies, Egyptology, English Studies, German Studies, History, History of the Islamicate World, History of Law, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, Latin American Studies, Slavic Studies, Social Sciences, South East Asian Studies, Theologies, Tibetan Studies, or similar disciplines.

Minimum Grade

Minimum grade for the first higher education degree qualifying for employment: 2.5

Language Requirements

C1 proficiency in English (documented by, e.g., a B.A. program taught entirely in English, minimum scores of TOEFL iBT 94/IELTS 7.0)
German language proficiency is not required
Proficiency in source languages is recommended according to the subjects mentioned above