Course structure and content

Structure and scope

The Bachelor's degree course in Art History comprises six semesters. It concludes with the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) after passing the final examination. A total of 180 credit points must be earned for this degree. As part of the course, students are required to acquire skills in the following subjects, among others:

• Fundamentals of art studies
• Epochs, styles and practices
• History and theory of architecture
• Applied science

The subject of interdisciplinary qualifications rounds off the program, where general and practical skills are acquired. In the compulsory elective area "Specialization subjects", three of the following subjects must be chosen, each worth 16 CP:

• Art and Technology
• Art and the environment
• Art and Politics
• Image and knowledge

In the compulsory elective area "Supplementary subject", a subject worth 46 CP must be completed. The supplementary subjects are available for selection:

The course is basically divided into modules. Each module can consist of one or more components with associated courses, which are completed by one or more examinations. The scope of each module is characterized by credit points, which are credited after successful completion of the module.

Download exemplary study plans for all supplementary subjects

Website of the Art History degree program

https://kg.ikb.kit.edu

Application is only possible for the winter semester.
Application deadline is 15.07. (cut-off deadline!).

The Bachelor's program in Art History is admission restricted.
You can find more information on the website:https://www.sle.kit.edu/vorstudium/bachelor-kunstgeschichte.php.

In addition, sufficient knowledge of the English language must be demonstrated, corresponding to at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). English language proficiency can be demonstrated by internationally recognized tests.

Proof of English language proficiency through one of the above tests is not required for applicants with

• a university degree from a university with English as the sole language of instruction and examination.
• a high school diploma, whereby the foreign language must have been taken for at least 5 learning years directly up to graduation.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for admission to the Bachelor's program in Art History at KIT are:
1. one of the following degrees:

• General university entrance qualification,
• subject-linked university entrance qualification with technical orientation,
• or another qualification in the sense of § 58 para. 2 LHG

2. sufficient knowledge of the English language corresponding at least to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)*.

Selection procedure

The bachelor's degree program is admission-restricted. After deduction of the preliminary quotas, the remaining study places are distributed via a selection procedure.
The selection procedure is based on the academic performance, the results and any previous experience of the applicants*. Based on these achievements, a ranking is formed according to points.

1. result of the university entrance qualification (academic performance, weighting 75%):

The sum of the points achieved in the university entrance qualification is divided by 56 or 60 and multiplied by 5 (max. 75 points).

2. prior experience (weighting 25%):

If available and proven, the following previous experience may be evaluated, provided that it gives special information about the aptitude for the intended study program:

1. completed vocational training in a relevant profession (e.g. bookseller, photographer, media designer for image and sound, digital and print) and previous professional experience relevant to the course of study even without completed vocational training (max. 15 points)
2. practical activities, e.g. voluntary service (max. 5 points)
3. extracurricular achievements and qualifications, e.g. prizes and awards (max. 5 points)

* English language proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following internationally recognized tests:

1. Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 90 on the internet-based test or.
2. IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no section below 5.5 or
3. University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or
4. University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or
5. UNIcert at least level II.

Proof of English proficiency by means of one of the above tests is not required for applicants with

• a university degree from an institution of higher education with English as the sole language of instruction and examination; English as the sole and official language of the degree program completed must be indicated in the Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records, or degree certificate; other confirmations of the language of instruction and examination will not be accepted as proof of language proficiency;
• an Abitur certificate, whereby the foreign language must have been taken for at least 5 learning years directly up to the degree entitling the holder to university admission, and the final or average grade of the last two learning years of the language course must correspond to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 points.

If the language certificate is missing at the time of application, the applicant can still be admitted in individual cases under the condition that he/she proves the language certificate by the end of the matriculation period.

German language skills for international applicants

In order to be able to take up German-language studies, international applicants must provide proof of appropriate language skills. You need at least B1-level proficiency to apply. All certificates are accepted, but a certificate of participation in a B1 course is also sufficient. The DSH2 or one of the recognized equivalents must be presented for enrollment. For more information, please contact the International Students Office.

To the KIT application portal

The application portal usually opens 6 to 8 weeks before the application deadline.

All dates of info sessions, presentations of the design studios, seminar election on one page.

The current semester dates can be found on the KIT website.

Bachelor and Master Art History
Winter semester 2024/25

Bachelor's and Master's degree program in Architecture
and Bachelor's and Master's degree program in Art History

Winter semester 2024/25 (as of: 31.07.2024)
Summer semester 2025 (as of: 18.12.2024)

Statutes and regulations can be found on the website of the KIT Service Unit Study and Teaching: https://www.sle.kit.edu/vorstudium/bachelor-kunstgeschichte.php

The module handbook describes the modules belonging to the respective study program, the interdependencies between them, the learning objectives and the type of assessment of success.

Winter semester 2023/24:

Past semesters:

Summer term 2021

Pdf: Bachelor History of Art (SPO2017): german
Pdf: Master History of Art (SPO2017): german

Online: Bachelor History of Art (SPO2017): german
Online: Master History of Art (SPO2017): german

KUNSTGESCHICHTE

• Studienplan Bachelor Kunstgeschichte
• Studienplan Master Kunstgeschichte

This guide is intended to be an aid for the study of art history at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and to give hints for scientific work. In principle, the advice in this handout is also valuable and valid for architecture students. However, there are also some deviating regulations for term papers and especially for the scientific part of the master's thesis in the course of studies in architecture, e.g. concerning the freedom in the layout of the paper. A version of the handout that is precisely adapted to the needs of architecture students is therefore in preparation. As long as it is not yet available, please use this version, but please discuss with your supervisor which of the regulations are not binding for you or which additional regulations apply in the respective case.

- German (Deutsch)

- English

Secretariat Professorship Hinterwaldner | Professorship Jehle
Helga Lechner
Institute of Art and Architectural History
Englerstraße 7
D-76131 Karlsruhe
Phone: +49 721 608-42191
helga.lechner∂kit.edu
Building 20.40, ground floor, room 020

Student advisory service
Apl. Prof. Dr. Martin Papenbrock
Phone: +49 721 608-42191
(secretary's office)
martin.papenbrock∂kit.edu

Dean of Studies Art History
Prof. Dr. Inge Hinterwaldner (Art History)
inge.hinterwaldner∂kit edu

Examination Board Art History

To the website of the committee

Study Commission Art History

To the website of the commission

Study abroad

Faculty of Architecture International / Erasmus Office

Overview of courses in the current semester

Courses divided according to professorships:
Chair of Art History - Dr. Inge Hinterwaldner
Chair of Art History - Dr. Oliver Jehle

In preparation for a successful start to their studies, the orientation phase for new first-semester students takes place annually two weeks before the beginning of the winter semester. This phase includes a mentoring program, with additional information provided by the faculty, the KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), and the student councils, as well as a first-semester guide.

The orientation phase for the winter semester 2024/25 will take place in the week from October 7 to 11, 2024.

Die Orientierungsphase
O-Phase 2021: Das Programm
Mentoring-Programm
Wichtige Infos / FAQ
Weiterführende Informationen
Beratungsangebote
Soziale Medien

The O-Phase is an important introduction to studying: it is organized by the Architecture and Art History student councils in cooperation with the Dean's Office and lecturers from both courses and serves to provide information about the coming semester, the university and the courses. New students are introduced to the studios, professorships and the most important procedures and locations at the department. In addition, the choice of studio in the Architecture degree program and the allocation of seminar places in the Art History degree program take place. During the orientation phase, the first projects for an exhibition at the department are already being worked on. The student councils' leisure and evening program makes it easy to make contact with other freshmen and students from higher semesters.

Start and schedule of the O-Phase 2024

The O-Phase 2024 takes place in presence. You should be on site in Karlsruhe for the whole week.

It starts on Monday, 7.10.2024 at 9:30 a.m. in the foyer of the Architecture Building (Building 20.40), Englerstraße 7 in Karlsruhe.

All rooms listed are located in the architecture building
(Building 20.40, Englerstraße 7, 76131 Karlsruhe)

With the information in this booklet, we would like to make it easier for you to get started on the Bachelor's degree courses in Architecture and Art History.
In addition to an overview of courses, curricula, people, events and facilities, it also contains helpful information and tips compiled by students in higher semesters.
The current first semester booklet is usually published at the end of September.

Download the Winter 2024/25 issue

The mentoring program of the KIT Department of Architecture is integrated into the O-Phase with the aim of giving all first-year students a good start into their studies. Students of the 3rd and 5th semester, who have been prepared for this task with a training, accompany the new students during the O-phase and are also available afterwards as contact persons for all possible questions concerning the studies. This provides easy and direct access to information and assistance at the beginning of the studies and promotes the networking of the students of the department across semesters and courses.

If you are interested in participating in the program as a mentor in the 3rd or 5th semester, please note the annual announcement of the program in the middle/end of July. To apply, submit a brief motivational text to the departmental student bodies(fachschaft∂arch kit edu / fachschaft-kunstgeschichte∂web de). All art history students and applicants from the 2nd and 4th semester of architecture are eligible to apply.

The Steinbuch Center for Computing (SCC) is responsible for KIT's information technology. To help you get started, the SCC has compiled some relevant information, such as how to activate your KIT user account, how to set up your e-mail account, how to prepare your KIT Card and much more.

http://www.scc.kit.edu/dienste/erstsemester.php

Below you will find information on how to register for your Bachelor's or Master's degree.
Please also refer to our website and the study and examination regulations for information on dates and deadlines, processing and assessment deadlines and bear in mind that it will take time to prepare your degree certificate for your further studies or career planning.

If you have any questions regarding content, please contact your supervising lecturer; if you have any administrative questions, please contact the Registrar's Office at any time.

Send us an e-mail and we will get in touch with you shortly.

Students studying according to the study and examination regulations (from 2017):

Bachelor's and Master's theses can be started individually at any time.

• Contact the supervisor of your choice in good time to find and discuss a topic for your thesis.
• Inform the Registrar's Office about the planned start of your thesis so that your study plan can be checked and any outstanding work can be entered in good time.
• Submit the form "Registration of Bachelor's/Master's thesis" to the secretary's office after you have entered the topic in German and English, after the start date of your thesis has been set and signed by your supervisor.
  
  Forms:
  Registration of the Bachelor's thesis
  Registration of the Master's thesis
• You will receive a message after registration and must then accept the thesis online within the next four weeks.
• Please remember to de-register after successfully completing your Bachelor's/Master's examination.

Form and structure of the presentation

• The oral presentation forms the basis of discussion for the respective session and should be the starting point for group work.
• Content should be conveyed to all participants in a comprehensible manner, supported by suitable visual material, the personal presentation style and a thesis sheet.
• To allow room for discussion, the presentation should last no longer than 30 minutes.

The preparation of the presentations, the topics of which are assigned at the beginning of the semester, includes, among other things

• researching and ordering literature in good time
• selecting suitable illustrations
• becoming aware of your personal presentation style
• creating and reproducing a sufficient number of thesis papers for the lecturer and seminar participants
• think of questions to stimulate discussion and
• familiarize themselves with the room and arrange for a laptop, projector and blackout in good time.

Guidelines for scientific work

Literature and image research

Guide "Image rights in art historical practice"

The Association of German Art Historians has published an official guide "Image rights in art historical practice".

Link to the guide: https://kunsthistoriker.org/leitfaden-bildrechte/

Literature research

Image archives

prometheus image database
prometheus is a portal of the Kunsthistorisches Institut Köln (Cologne Institute of Art History) which, as a merger of the databases of various institutes, provides image material from the fields of art and cultural history, archaeology and the protection of cultural property for research and teaching purposes.
Information on use and registration for teachers and students!

Photo Marburg
Publications, research databases, image index, manuscripts, references

Foto Marburg: Image index of art history and architecture
Large image index sorted by places, artists, themes and portraits incl. search function.

Web Galery of Art
Extensive, well-sorted image archive, some with brief information. The images are of very good quality.

Important links

Student portal(https://campus.studium.kit.edu/)

The Campus Management Portal offers KIT students various self-service services in the area of student administration. These include

• registration/deregistration for examinations
• re-registration for the following semester via SEPA direct debit procedure
• changing personal data
• Downloading a variety of certificates (e.g. certificate of study, KVV certificate, transcript of records)
• Verification of certificates (also for third parties)

Ilias (https://ilias.studium.kit.edu/login.php)

ILIAS is the central service of the SCC and is available to all KIT students. All you need to register is your KIT account, which you will receive when you enrol.

Learning materials are provided on the platform.

Supplementary courses

Forum | Center for Applied Cultural Studies and Studium Generale (https://www.forum.kit.edu/)

As a central scientific institution of the KIT, the Forum not only promotes interdisciplinary and intercultural education through its diverse range of courses, but is also specifically committed to the individual social further education of young people with its support programs.

House of Competence HoC(https://www.hoc.kit.edu)

For the main target group of students, the HoC offers a program of events in the area of key qualifications (SQ) comprising around 90 courses per semester in the following key areas:

1. Organizing learning
2. Presenting and communicating
3. Working methodically
4. Academic writing
5. Shaping the future

Language Center at KIT(https://www.spz.kit.edu)