# Auxiliary Sciences of History and Archival Studies (Master)

**Source**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/auxiliary-sciences-of-history-and-archival-studies-master/
**Parent**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/

© Universität Wien / Barbara Mair

Students of the master’s programme in Auxiliary Sciences of History and Archival Studies acquire advanced competences in working with written and material historic sources, as well as historical image, film, video and audio material. In addition, they know the principal methods of historical research and archival studies, auxiliary sciences of history (in particular the manuscript studies of the Middle Ages and modern period), diplomatics, administrative record studies, codicology, genealogy, heraldry, sigillography and chronology. Beyond that, they are able to apply modern methods in documentation and information management and have extensive knowledge of archival appraisal, documentation and editing of audio-visual sources and basic knowledge of libraries and museology.

### Master of Arts

Degree Programme Code: 066 804

5 semesters / 150 ECTS credits

Language: [German](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/german-language-proficiency/)

NO entrance examination

[Curriculum](https://senat.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_senat/konsolidierte_Masterstudien/MA_Historische_Hilfswissenschaften_und_Archivwissenschaft_Version_2019.pdf)

### Facts & Figures

- Students: **175**
- Graduates in the last academic year: **21**
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): **7,7**

*Data updated on: 26**.11.2025*

[Information about presentation & calculation](https://backend.univie.ac.at/index.php?id=157848&L=2&id=157848)

*\*[Click here for further information on statistical data in the field of teaching and learning. (in German)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/studienangebot/warum-hier-studieren/statistische-daten-zum-studienbetrieb/)*

### Attention

#### Instruction Language German

Please note that the instruction language of this programme is German. To start the degree programme, you need to hold a [certificate of German proficiency on C1 level](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/german-language-proficiency/).

### Admission Procedure

[Information about the admission procedure](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/master-programmes/auxiliary-sciences-of-history-and-archival-studies/)

### Information on Previous Studies:

In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:

- [History (Bachelor)\](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/bachelordiploma-programmes/history-bachelor-with-osa/)
- [Master Access Guide](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/master-access-guide/)

### Getting started

[Orientation course](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/auxiliary-sciences-of-history-and-archival-studies-master/)

[Orientation in the first semester](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/study-organisation/)

[Semester planning](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/semester-planning/)

### Getting Informed

[StudiesServiceUnit History](https://spl-geschichte.univie.ac.at/service-beratung-kontakt/studienservicestellen/)

[Students' Representatives History](https://strv-geschichte.univie.ac.at/news/)

## Study Programme

To successfully complete the master’s programme, students have to complete compulsory modules (Constitutional History and History of Administration; Palaeography and Archival Studies; Auxiliary Sciences; Medieval and Modern Palaeography; Diplomatics; Source Studies; Administrative Record Studies; Archive Internship), one of the two alternative groups of compulsory modules as emphasis (either Auxiliary Sciences and Historical Research or Archival Studies and Media Archives), as well as a Master's Module and the master’s thesis and master’s examination.

### Five Concepts

which you will deal with during your studies:

- Diplomatics
- Techniques for calendaring charters
- Administrative record studies
- Museology
- Sigillography

... and many more.

## Overview of the programme structure & topics

Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.

[Basic Modules (77 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333911)

[GM1 Constitutional History and History of Administration (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333915)

[GM2 Palaeography and Archival Studies (13 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333916)

[GM3 Auxiliary Sciences (4 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333917)

[GM4 Medieval and Modern Palaeography (12 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333918)

[GM5 Diplomatics (8 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333919)

[GM6 Source Studies (12 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333920)

[GM7 Administrative Record Studies (8 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333921)

[GM8 Archive Internship (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333922)

[Alternative group of compulsory modules: Auxiliary Sciences of History and Historical Research (43 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333912)

[HW1: Basics (11 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333923)

[HW2: Applied Diplomatics (8 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333924)

[HW3: Codicology (4 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333925)

[HW4: Edition and Research (20 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333926)

[Alternative group of compulsory modules: Archival Studies and Media Archives (43 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333913)

[AM1: Basics (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333927)

[AM2: Archives and Digitalisation (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333928)

[AM3: Audio/Visual Media and Technologies in Archives (8 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333929)

[AM4: Appraisal and Records Management (16 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333930)

[Final Phase (5 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333914)

[Master's Module (5 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=333931)

[Additional Courses](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=334014)

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## After Graduation

Graduates are qualified to pursue a career in occupational fields that academically investigate written and non-written monuments of history, and supervise and present them in the public or private sector, especially in archives, media archives and museums. Additionally, they are qualified for all professions that aim at preserving culture.

### Continuing after Graduation

- [Center for Doctoral Studies - everything about doctorcal/PhD programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/)
- [Alumni of the University of Vienna](https://www.alumni.ac.at/)
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- [Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna](https://www.uniport.at/uniport-fuer-studierende)

### Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme

[#### Degree programme in retrospect](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/en/analyses/graduate-surveys/)

### Graduates ...

- say that this degree programme receives the grade: 2.1 (good)
- rate the level of difficulty as: 3.8 (high)

→ These results are based on feedback from 15 graduates.

\**You can find further assessments of the degree programme from its graduates’ perspective in the graduate survey of the**[master's programme in](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnenbefragungen/2021/Master/071_Master_GeschforschHistHilfswissuArchivw_public.pdf)* *[Auxiliary Sciences of History and Archival Studies](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnenbefragungen/2021/Master/071_Master_GeschforschHistHilfswissuArchivw_public.pdf) (in German).*

[#### Career entry & paths](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/en/analyses/graduate-tracking/)

### Graduates ...

- find employment within 4 months after graduation on average.

\*You can find further information on career entry and career paths in the tracking of graduates "[MA History](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnentracking/2023/englisch/UA_F1_2023_MA_History_en.pdf)".

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