B.A. in Theater Studies
The B.A. in Theater Studies is a combined bachelor’s program. That means that it can only be studied in combination with another subject. Theater Studies can be studied either as a major subject (90 credits) or a minor subject (60 credits).
The standard time to degree in a B.A. program is six semesters.
For detailed information on the B.A. in Theater Studies, please see the Degree Program and Examination Regulations.
About the Program
Theater Studies focuses on the history, aesthetics, and theory of theater and theatrical forms, as well as on their conditions of production and impact. Given the variety of arts and media involved in theater and the different social and cultural systems within which theater can be found, the themes and subjects of the field can only be addressed through an interdisciplinary approach.
The Institute for Theater Studies at Freie Universität Berlin spans the full range of the field and is divided into three areas: Contemporary Theater, Theater History, and Theory and Aesthetics. The Institute sees itself in dialogue with Berlin’s varied theater and performance scene and maintains a wide range of collaborations with cultural and academic institutions both in Germany and abroad. The Institute for Theater Studies does not offer artistic or technical training.
Students who study Theater Studies as a minor (60 credits) will not cover the whole range of subjects treated in the field (see Curriculum at the end of the webpage).
Academic and Career Goals
The B.A. in Theater Studies focuses primarily on theory, analysis, history, and criticism. The program aims to provide students with a broad knowledge and critical understanding of the objects, theories, and methodologies of Theater Studies. The program does not offer artistic or technical training.
Graduates have academic and practical skills that qualify them for employment or to pursue a postgraduate degree. If Theater Studies is studied as a minor in a combined bachelor’s program, graduates’ professional qualifications are usually determined by their choice of major.
Given its focus on theory and criticism, the Theater Studies program at Freie Universität Berlin qualifies graduates for a variety of careers in theater, opera, film, television, radio, libraries, archives, universities, art societies and other cultural institutions, publishing companies, and public and private administrations. More specifically, Theater Studies enables graduates to work as dramaturgs, editors, copy editors, producers, and freelance authors.
For executive positions or academic research and teaching positions, an M.A. degree and/or a Ph.D. degree are required.
Curriculum – Modules – Application & Admission
Theater Studies as a major can be studied in combination with a 60-credit minor or two 30-credit minors. As a 60-credit minor, Theater Studies is combined with a 90-credit major.
The Theater Studies program consists of an introductory phase and an advanced phase, as well as the General Professional Skills program (ABV).
If studied as a major, the program concludes with a bachelor’s thesis: students independently work on a topic of their choice in order to gain a deeper and more differentiated understanding of a spezialized area of study.
The General Professional Skills program consists of an internship and the following skills areas: foreign languages, working and writing in the humanities, information and media literary, gender and diversity competences, organizational and management skills, personal and social communication skills, as well as study-related further qualifications providing additional practical knowledge and skills. The aims, contents, and curriculum of the General Professional Skills program are governed by the degree program-specific Regulations.
General Professional Skills Program and Examination Regulations.
The curriculum and structure of the program are governed by the Theater Studies Degree Program and Examination Regulations. The regulations contain detailed descriptions of the contents and qualification goals of each individual module, as well as a sample curriculum. In addition, they define the examination requirements of each module and list the credit points for each module or course as well as the workload in hours for the entire course of study.
The B.A. in Theater Studies comprises three kinds of modules that offer different methodological and thematic concentrations depending on your study phase (introductory phase, advanced phase):
Contemporary Theater
The Contemporary Theater modules deal with manifestations and aesthetic trends in contemporary theater. Students become conversant with concepts, methods, and issues in performance analysis.
Theater History
The Theater History modules impart knowledge about historical manifestations of and developments in theater and theatrical phenomena. Students become conversant with different approches to historiographic work.
Theory and Aesthetics
The Theory and Aesthetics modules provide an understanding of theories and aesthetics of theater, as well as cultural studies and philosophical theories. Students learn how to read and analyze texts critically, to contexualize the various theories historically and apply them to theatrical phenomena.
Theater/Arts/Media (advanced phase)
During the advanced phase, the methological range expands to also include theatrical and performative phenomena that can be seen not only on the stage but also in various cultural areas, other arts, and media. Here, cultural history meets art studies meets media theory.
General Information on Modules and Credit Points (CPs)
The application and admission procedure is centrally organized by Freie Universität Berlin.
The degree program is a limited admission program.
For more information on application deadlines etc., visit: Application and Admission
Please also see the information on Transferring between Higher Education Institutions in Higher Semesters.