Faculty of Humanities

Degree Programs

Master's in Editorial Studies

Editorial Studies covers the theory and practice of fundamental philological work (interpretation of traditional conventions, text criticism and commentary). It is broadly concerned with the saving, documentation, constitution and communication of control texts in Humanities research. The objects of study are addressed in-depth, using examples from participating disciplines. In close cooperation with institutions and projects in archiving and publishing, appropriate requirements for archiving and editorial practice are communicated, viewed critically and implemented as part of practical work.

During the master's degree program, students can specialize in areas such as philology, commentary, archiving or electronic publishing; specialization is principally achieved by selecting an appropriate internship. This one-semester internship can be completed in one of the associated publishing projects or with external internship providers, such as literary archives.

The master's program is designed to enable students to select a special qualification in a particular discipline (e.g. in Germanic Languages, History, Musicology). This encourages interdisciplinary working, enabling students to gain an insight into related fields. A number of the University of Bern's institutes are involved in the study program. The Swiss literature archive in Bern is also involved, providing tuition within the institution.

Master Editionsphilologie
Jean Miélot at his desk (Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, MS fr. 9198, fol. 19r).
Basic information
Degree: Master of Arts in Editionsphilologie, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 120 ECTS
Degree programs:
  • Major 90 ECTS credits

 

Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor 30 ECTS credits
Combination possibilities: several
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: German
Beginning studies: fall or spring semester

Contact

Head of the research center Jeremias Gotthelf / Lecturer

PD Dr. Christian von Zimmermann

Phone : +41 31 631 86 62
E-Mail: vonzimmermann@germ.unibe.ch
Office: D 405

Postal address

PD Dr. Christian von Zimmermann
Studienkoordinator und Fachstudienberater Editionsphilologie
Forschungsstelle Jeremias Gotthelf
Muesmattstrasse 45
CH 3012 Bern

Consultation hours

Specialized study and internship counseling, each Friday 13-14 Uhr
((with advance notification by e-mail)

Details of program

Special qualifications content

  • History, theory and methods in Editorial Studies
  • Codicology, text genetics, text constitution
  • Purpose, conception, content and function of commentary
  • Literary archiving, working with literary estates
  • Computer philology and electronic publishing
  • Cultural dimensions of Editorial Studies

Scheme of program

The MA program in Editorial Studies can be studied as a major (90 ECTS credits) and also as a minor (30 ECTS credits). As a major, a one-semester internship is compulsory; as a minor, it is optional. The program also includes in-depth studies in the associated disciplines. The program begins in the fall semester, the first being launched in fall 2011.

Combination possibilities

The master's degree program in Editorial Studies consists of a major worth 90 ECTS credits and a minor worth 30 ECTS credits.

Any minor taught in a sufficient scope at the University of Bern can be chosen as a major. However, students are not permitted to have a major and minor in the same branch of study.

Study program structure
Major ECTS Minor ECTS
90          30        

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in Editorial Studies (major):

a) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university with at least 60 ECTS credits in one of the study programmes listed in the Annex, provided that the necessary requirements for the successful completion of the Master's programme can be met by earning a maximum of 60 ECTS credits;
b) Bachelor's degree from a recognized foreign university with equivalent qualifications provided that the necessary requirements for the successful completion of the Master's programme can be met by earning a maximum of 60 ECTS credits.
* provided that the master's degree can be successfully completed with an additional maximum of 60 ECTS credits. These can either be admission requirements which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program or admission requirements which must be fulfilled before admission to the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments. 

Additional knowledge and skills may be required which were not acquired in the completed Bachelor's programme. These additional requirements are individually defined in the form of conditions (Paragraph 1, Letter b) and/or prerequisites (Paragraph 1, Letter a).

The corresponding ECTS credits are shown separately as additional requirements in the Diploma Supplement. Further details are governed by Article 5a RSL 05.

The bachelor's degree may not be more than ten years old. Exceptions are possible where justified.

Appendix 1 - Associated university institutes

  • Institute of History
  • Department of English
  • Institute of Germanic Languages and Literatures
  • Institute of French Language and Literature
  • Institute for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
  • Institute of Italian Language and Literature
  • Institute of Classical Philology
  • Institute of Musicology
  • Institute of Slavic Languages and Literatures
  • Institute of Spanish Language and Literatures

Swiss bachelor's degrees/programs

from the University of Bern

that allow admission to the desired master's degree program without any assessment:

  • Bachelor of Arts in German Language and Literature
  • Bachelor of Arts in English
  • Bachelor of Arts in French Linguistics and Literature
  • Bachelor of Arts in History
  • Bachelor of Arts in Italian Linguistics and Literature
  • Bachelor of Arts in Classics
  • Bachelor of Arts in Art History, 120 ECTS
  • Bachelor of Arts in Musicology, 120 ECTS
  • Bachelor of Arts in Slavic Languages and Literatures
  • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Linguistics and Literature

from other Universities

Language requirements

Good to excellent knowledge of German is expected as well as a good command of other languages used for tuition (particularly English for courses in Digital Humanities or English Studies and French for courses in Romance Studies).

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application and admission

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M A in Editionsphilologie, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration
   

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration
 

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

After your master's

The MA in Editorial Studies qualifies students for working in the areas of academic publishing, archiving and digital humanities.