Bachelor’s Program in History

In Mannheim, the bachelor's program in History is research-oriented but also focuses on public relations, which makes it stand out from similar programs at other universities. This means that we have special courses to learn how history can be communicated and put our knowledge into practice in the project seminar. Since the program is more hands-on, it will help you transition from university to career.

The classes of the program are rather small, so you can work closely with the other students and teachers and get to know each other better. In addition, the Department of History has close ties to non-university institutions such as the Technoseum, the city archive, and the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen. You also have the opportunity to complete a placement semester or spend a semester abroad at one of the many partner universities. The staff members of the University of Mannheim will be happy to help you with that.

The rooms and libraries are very modern and well equipped. Outside the lecture halls and seminar rooms, the university impresses with its beautiful campus and the baroque palace, which is located in the city center.

In addition to the degree program, there are other reasons to study at the University of Mannheim:

The work of the departmental student committee for History and Classical Studies is particularly impressive. Its members organize many interesting events such as the orientation week for first-year students, the film club, and a city trip. The departmental student committee also promotes the interests of all History students at the University of Mannheim.

In addition to the departmental student committee, you can volunteer in numerous other student organizations of all kinds that organize events and specialist lectures.

Sports enthusiasts are also in good hands at the University of Mannheim: The Institute of Sports offers an extensive sports program. The courses are affordable and you can try out almost any sport imaginable. The activities range from Pilates and rowing on the Neckar to lacrosse. Everyone can find something they are interested in!

Of course, we can't forget about the nightlife: In addition to the clubs, bars, and pubs in the city center and Jungbusch, the Schneckenhof parties, which take place every Thursday on campus and are organized by the individual departmental student committees, are particularly popular.

Myth 1—History is just about chattering. That’s not true. However, you need to be aware that certain skills are required for this program: You should be interested in history and enjoy reading, writing, and engaging in discussions. Overall, one could say: You will grow with the challenge!

Myth 2—Historians only memorize dates. That is probably the biggest misconception. Compared to subjects like Business Administration, you have to memorize much less. Although dates and facts do play a role in studying history, they are not overly important. At the beginning of your studies, you will acquire cross-epochal knowledge. However, understanding and applying this information is way more important than memorizing it. For example, when reading a source, you should be aware of when it was written and what developments played a role at that time.

It is definitely recommended to be proficient in English. During your studies, you will often come across literature and sources that have only been published in English.

Depending on the region and epoch, other languages may also be useful. For example, Latin for ancient and medieval history, French for modern history, or Spanish for the history of Spanish-speaking countries. However, these skills are not mandatory.