Information forProspective students
Bachelor and Master
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences offers you the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Master of Arts (MA), with numerous subjects to choose from. The Bachelor's degree entitles you to continue on to a Master's degree course, in which you can deepen your specialist knowledge and expand your academic skills. In principle, it is possible to change subjects, although certain modules may have to be completed later depending on the subject or degree program.
The work and learning achievements are expressed in credit points. The Bachelor's degree course comprises 180 credit points, while the Master's degree course comprises 120 credit points. For full-time study, the standard duration of study is 6 semesters for a Bachelor's degree and 4 semesters for a Master's degree. The modalities of the Bachelor's degree program are regulated in the regulations for the Bachelor's degree program of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, those of the Master's degree program in the regulations for the Master's degree program.
Combination of subjects
At both Bachelor's and Master's level, you can either combine two subjects at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or choose an integrated degree course with different specializations. In the Bachelor's degree course with two subjects, all subjects offered at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences can be combined with each other. In the Master's degree program, all subjects can be combined with each other, with the exception of German Philology with German Literature and History with Eastern European History. One of the two subjects can be replaced by a non-faculty subject.
Study programs
Free elective area
A total of 30 credit points must be earned in the free elective area in the Bachelor's degree program and, as a rule, 20 credit points in the Master's degree program. If you would like to acquire credits outside of your two subjects or your degree program, these can be credited in the free elective area. However, you can also earn the credit points through achievements from your subjects or your degree program.
Combination with sports science
The Bachelor's and Master's degree program "Sport, Exercise and Health" is studied in combination with a subject that can be freely chosen from the courses offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Details on this course can be found on the relevant pages of the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health.
Application & admission
In order to study at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, you must be enrolled at the University of Basel or be enrolled as an external student. Enrolment is carried out by the central Student Administration Office of the University of Basel and completes the registration and admission process. Registration takes place online.
The requirements and procedure for admission to studies are regulated in the University of Basel's Student Regulations and in the admission guidelines issued by the Rectorate. Information on admission and the application deadlines can be found on the website of the Registrar's Office.
Students who have either been excluded from studying a subject or course of study at other universities or colleges or who have already successfully completed such a subject or course of study are excluded from studying the same or a comparable subject or course of study at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Basel.
Non-university second subject
According to the regulations of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Basel for Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, a subject can also be studied at another university upon application as long as the subject is not offered at the University of Basel. Further information on requirements and the application process can be found in the information sheet on non-university second subjects for Bachelor's degree programs and the information sheet on non-university second subjects for Master's degree programs.
Students from other universities may apply to study a subject at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in accordance with the currently valid study regulations or curriculum if the subject in question is not offered at their home university.
Special requirements that deviate from the current study regulations (in the case of the Bachelor's degree program) or the curricula (in the case of the Master's degree program) must be noted in the application. The Examination Board, in cooperation with the relevant Teaching Committee, will check whether a Learning Agreement can be offered.
In the case of the Master's degree program, admission to the non-university second subject at the University of Basel is subject to the same admission requirements as for a regular degree program with two subjects or a degree program at the University of Basel. Admission may therefore only be granted subject to conditions.
Procedure and application:
- The student clarifies the conditions for an external course of study at the home university and obtains written approval from the home university.
- The student submits an application for approval of the non-university second subject in a letter to the Examination Board of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (for the attention of the Student Administration of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel).
- The letter must be accompanied by a Learning Agreement (see below for templates) if the desired conditions deviate from the study regulations or curricula in force at the University of Basel. The details of the Learning Agreement must be clarified by the student with the department.
- The examination board decides on the application.
- The student receives written notification of the decision from the Dean of Studies.
Templates for Learning Agreements for external students:
- Bachelor's degree subject Ancient Studies, specialization in Egyptology for external students
- Master's subject Egyptology for external students
- Bachelor's subject Gender Studies for external students
- Master's subject Gender Studies for external students
- Bachelor's subject Jewish Studies for external students
- Master's subject Jewish Studies for external students
Course auditors
Interested persons can attend certain events of the faculty as course auditors. You can find more information here.
Studying under special conditions
The University of Basel attaches great importance to meeting the different needs of its students and supporting them in their respective life situations. It therefore offers advice and assistance for studying under special conditions.
The service point Studying without Barriers (StoB) is available for advice on questions about studying with a physical, mental or chronic impairment (e.g. compensation for disadvantages/examination adjustments). Advice is free of charge and confidential.
The Social Services are the point of contact for questions and advice on financing your studies (e.g. scholarship applications to the scholarship fund), insurance, university crèche. Counseling is free of charge and confidential.
If you have questions about studying and top-class sport, you can find further information and advice centers at www.swissolympic.ch/studium.
Further links
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