Cultural mediation, cultural policy and transformation in the context of the arts (M.A.)

• Bachelor’s degree in a Degree Programme in the humanities, cultural studies, or the performing arts
• Proof of exceptional artistic aptitude, if necessary through the aptitude assessment exam

For more information on admission, please visit the following link (electronic bulletin): Admission and Enrollment Regulations.
 

Application for Admission 

The Master’s degree programme in Cultural Promotion, Cultural Policy, and Transformation in the Context of the Arts currently has limited enrollment. Applications must be submitted via the online application portal and are accepted until May 2 of each year (final deadline). You can find the current application deadlines on the University of Hildesheim’s application portal at the following link: Master’s Application Portal.

This also applies to the German-French program variant in collaboration with Aix-Marseille Université; even if you did not complete your bachelor’s degree in Germany: German-French Dual Master’s in Cultural Promotion, Cultural Policy, and Transformation in the Context of the Arts / Médiation Culturelle de l’Art (M.A.) 

Research Proposal

In addition to your application via the portal, we ask that you submit a brief research proposal (maximum one page) outlining a potential Research Project you would like to work on during the two years of study. This Project may combine scientific and artistic components. The proposal should include the following points:

• Topic and Research Subject
• Key research questions
• methods

Please send your outline to Dr. Daniel Gad: Contact; external applicants should do so prior to the aptitude interview.

Aptitude Assessment

Applicants who did not earn their B.A. in Faculty 2 at the University of Hildesheim must take an aptitude assessment exam. All information regarding the aptitude assessment exam process can be found at the following link: Master’s degree programmes: Aptitude Assessment Exam Process 

International Applicants 

If you earned your bachelor’s degree outside of Germany, please note that you must apply through uniassist. Please also inform the program coordinator about your application so that we can assist you if necessary. Additional documents to be submitted are: 

• Proof of a completed university degree: Please upload your 
  • degree certificate and the
  • Transcript of Records.

If you are unable to provide proof of a completed university degree at the time of application, please upload a certificate (e.g., grade report or Provisional Transcript of Records) detailing your completed coursework, the total number of credits earned, and the resulting grade point average. 

• High school diploma (usually: Abitur certificate), unless you are already enrolled at the University of Hildesheim. Please upload the complete diploma and not just the page with the final grade.
• Resume
• if your name has changed (e.g., due to marriage) and now differs from the name on your certificates/transcripts: Proof of the name change (e.g., copy of the marriage certificate)
• Proof of language proficiency at the C1 level

Like regular applications, this application must be submitted by May 2 at the latest. However, due to the recognition process, it is strongly recommended that you submit your application by March; otherwise, a study place may not be awarded until later.

CampusCenter
The CampusCenter is the first point of contact for students and prospective students regarding all aspects of the university and academic life. The student staff at the CampusCenter can be found on the main campus of the University of Hildesheim in the Forum, 1st floor. 

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
The Central Student Advisory Service offers a wide range of information and events related to Degree Programs as well as academic guidance. 

• Advisory Services Offered by the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
• Events organized by the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) 
• Study Information Portal (SIP)

Academic Advising and Credit Transfer Assistance

• Departmental Academic Advising

Other Contacts

• Professional Fields and Careers
• Contact Person and Coordinator of the 2026 Selection Process
   

Academic credits earned in previous Degree Programs may be transferred upon enrollment at the University of Hildesheim. The prerequisite is a prior bachelor’s degree in a cultural studies or social sciences Degree Programme. 

You can find the application form and further information at the following link in the section "Changing Universities": Change of Major, Change of University & Second Degree.

Program Structure at a Glance 

Sample Course Content in the Master’s degree programme in Cultural Promotion, Cultural Policy, and Transformation in the Context of the Arts 

Research Project in the field of Cultural Promotion

• Development and implementation of an independent Research Project

Cultural Promotion

• Cultural Policy
• Cultural Promotion and Cultural Education
• Cultural marketing

Methods of mediation, production, and staging of the arts and media

• Selection of major subjects: Visual Arts, Theater, Media/Popular Culture, Literature, and Music

Elective module

• offers the opportunity to deepen knowledge of the Fundamentals and focus on specific content areas

Six-week internship / Practical research project

Students have the option of supplementing their studies with a Stay Abroad. 

The Faculty has partnerships with various universities worldwide (including in Marseille, Groningen, Turku, Istanbul, Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Toluca (Mexico), and Taipei (Taiwan)). Students can also choose to study and/or complete an internship at locations of their choice anywhere in the world and have this credited toward their degree. In addition, the University of Hildesheim, in cooperation with Aix-Marseille University, offers the binational Master’s program in Cultural Promotion, Cultural Policy, and Transformation in the Context of the Arts / Médiation Culturelle de l'Art | Master of Arts (M.A.). 

More information about the dual master’s program is available here. 

For all questions regarding studying, internships, and funding opportunities abroad, the International Office is your point of contact at the following link: International Office

The study and examination regulations for the Master’s degree programme in Cultural Promotion, Cultural Policy, and Transformation in the Context of the Arts are available for download in the electronic bulletin via the following link: Regulations for the Master’s degree programme in Cultural Promotion, Cultural Policy, and Transformation in the Context of the Arts (M.A.)

The Degree Programme, which is primarily based at the Institute for Cultural Policy, combines the research areas of national and international Cultural Policy with the fields of Cultural Promotion, Cultural Management, and Cultural Education, placing a special emphasis on issues of cultural participation.

• Topics include international and foreign Cultural Policy, comparative Cultural Policy, research on cultural participation, audience research, non-visitor studies, and population studies; democracy education and culture; cultural community building, audience development, the impact of cultural education, cultural heritage mediation, and cultural tourism.
• The institute conducts various externally funded research projects, supported by the DFG, the BMBF, and the EU, among others.
• Master’s students can participate in these Research Projects as part of teaching and research initiatives.

Upon completion of the Master’s degree programme in Cultural Promotion, Cultural Policy, and Transformation in the Context of the Arts, graduates will be qualified for the following professional fields (listed by way of example):

• Educational and outreach roles in cultural institutions (museums, theaters, film production companies, recording studios, and many more)
• Cultural and media education (e.g., in art and music schools, schools, or sociocultural centers)
• Academia (teaching, research, or Doctorate)
• Cultural administration and policy
• Cultural management
• Mediating between the arts and business
• Cultural tourism
• Cultural journalism

Additional Resources

The Career Service at the Central Student Advisory Service also supports you on your path from your studies to your career. It’s worth taking a look at the job board. Job postings for students and graduates are published here: Career Service ZSB Job Board

ab hier kultur 

ab hier kultur is a network of graduates, faculty, and students at the University of Hildesheim in the field of culture and cultural studies that has been in existence since 1999. It fosters connections to the job market through its regularly scheduled event "And Afterward? A Career in Cultural Studies," as well as continuing education programs and alumni gatherings. 

For more information, please visit the following link: ab.hier.kultur

Alumni Group on LinkedIn 

The LinkedIn group "Kulturcampus University of Hildesheim" is aimed at all alumni and current students, faculty members, as well as friends and industry partners who wish to stay connected with the Kulturcampus and engage in topic-related discussions.

Further information can be found at the following link: LinkedIn group "Kulturcampus University of Hildesheim"

Graduates of the Master’s program in Cultural Promotion, Cultural Policy, and Transformation in the Context of the Arts (M.A.)—as well as external candidates—may pursue a Doctorate in the diverse fields of cultural policy, cultural management, cultural promotion, and cultural education under the supervision of one of the institute’s three professors:

• Prof. Dr. Julius Heinicke (Cultural Policy)
• Prof. Dr. Birgit Mandel (Cultural Management and Cultural Promotion)

Prof. Dr. Vanessa Reinwand-Weiß (Cultural Education). Pursuing a doctorate at the Institute for Cultural Policy involves not only individual research but also integration into the group of doctoral candidates at the institute. You will also receive support in applying for financial funding programs. 

Further information on pursuing a Doctorate can be found at the following link: Pursuing a Doctorate at the Institute for Cultural Policy