Degree programme objectives

The Master’s degree study programme in Archival Studies prepares qualified professionals for specialized and managerial positions in archival practice and records management. The objective of the study programme is to gain a thorough knowledge of pre-archival care and records management, compiling major fund groups, and making archival sources accessible for research purposes (mainly in the form of creating metadata for digitalized archival material). Students further deepen their knowledge of the archive networks in the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries and develop their knowledge of modern diplomatics and palaeography, modern administration, and modern history. They strengthen their language skills for work with archival material by studying historical language systems. They will learn to combine knowledge and apply it in practice. Based on individual study, they will work with unfamiliar archival material and successfully solve demanding archival tasks. They will gain basic managerial skills.

Study plans

Admission Procedures
Admission to Master's degree programmes in 2024/2025 (beginning: Autumn 2024)
Submission deadline until midnight 30. 4. 2024

  • Information on entrance examinations designed for this degree programme

    Deadline for submitting applications: January 1 - April 30

    Who the programme is intended for: The programme is intended for graduates of any Bachelor’s degree programme.

    Subject matter of the entrance examination: Oral examination in paleography (reading of the text), basics of diplomacy, archival studies, and history of administration.

    Waiver of the entrance examination: The entrance examination can be waived for applicants who have passed the Bachelor’s examination in the field/programme of Archival Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University with an excellent (A), very good (B), or good (C) result. Applicants can ask for a waiver for the entrance examination via the e-application form, section "Application for waiver of the entrance examination".

    Website Department of Auxiliary Historical Sciences and Archive Studies.

    General information on the course of the admission procedure to the follow-up Master’s degree programmes at FA MU can be found here. Documents for the current admission procedure are kept in Materials for Applicants.

  • Evaluation criteria valid for the applicants applying for a place on this degree programme

    Pass/fail line of the entrance examination: 50 points (out of 100).

Studies

  • Objectives

    The Master’s degree study programme in Archival Studies prepares qualified professionals for specialized and managerial positions in archival practice and records management. The objective of the study programme is to gain a thorough knowledge of pre-archival care and records management, compiling major fund groups, and making archival sources accessible for research purposes (mainly in the form of creating metadata for digitalized archival material). Students further deepen their knowledge of the archive networks in the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries and develop their knowledge of modern diplomatics and palaeography, modern administration, and modern history. They strengthen their language skills for work with archival material by studying historical language systems. They will learn to combine knowledge and apply it in practice. Based on individual study, they will work with unfamiliar archival material and successfully solve demanding archival tasks. They will gain basic managerial skills.

  • Learning Outcomes

    After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

    • apply theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills in archival practice;
    • provide complete records management of an institution in accordance with the current legal framework;
    • process complex archival collections;
    • compile high quality metadata for digitalized archival material;
    • compile demanding research for complex historical issues;
    • review previous findings and propose new solutions and theories.
  • Occupational Profiles of Graduates

    Graduates of the Master’s degree study programme in Archival Studies will be prepared for independent expert work and for carrying out complex activities in all types of archives, registries, administration, and state and local government, or in the relevant departments of museums, galleries, and libraries. They will be competent in positions at various management levels in such institutions.

  • Practical Training

    Practical training is not an obligatory part of the study plan, but it is possible to realize 3 weeks of practical training in selected memory institution.

  • Goals of Theses

    The dissertation examines a particular area of an academic issue appropriate to the type of study. Here the student must demonstrate the ability to carry out independent academic worky, to master the relevant academic literature and to analyse the material under study.

    A standard scope of a Master's thesis ranges 140,000 characters including footnotes

    and content.

    Instructions for Final State Examinations and elaboration of the Master's Diploma thesis are regulated by FF Directive No. 6/2017 On Final State Examinations for Students of the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University.

    http://archivnictvi.phil.muni.cz/media/2878034/vzor_bakalarske_prace.pdf

  • Access to Further Studies

    After completing the Master’s degree study programme in Archival Studies, it is possible to continue further studies in a doctoral degree study programme (after satisfying the admission requirements).

Basic information

Abbreviation
N-AR_
Type
master's degree programme (following the bachelor's one)
Profile
academic
Degree
Mgr.
Degree in Advanced Master's state examination
PhDr.
Length of studies
2 years
Language of instruction
Czech Czech

25
estimated number of admitted
7
number of active students
10
number of theses/dissertations

Faculty of Arts
Programme guaranteed by
Programme guarantor