Master of ‘Digital Humanities’

The Master of ‘Digital Humanities’ is a research degree awarded by Université PSL. It delivers education in using and analysing data from the human and social sciences. The curriculum is designed for students with a bachelor's degree who wish to develop dual thematic skills in the humanities, in the major of their choice (history, philology, literature, sociology, etc.), and data science.

This master's degree is the result of a joint effort between the École nationale des chartes - PSL, the École Normale Supérieure - PSL, and the École Pratique des Hautes Etudes - PSL. It is affiliated with the Translitteræ graduate programme.

The Master's programme combines a demanding two-pronged education in the social sciences and humanities, building on the curricula of the four partner institutions. It focuses on the issues, methods, and tools used in research and data analysis (algorithms, quantitative methods, modelling, programming, and artificial intelligence). As such, it is consistent with the computational shift and the exploitation of data from the human and social sciences. At the end of the course, students will have a unique dual skill set, giving them the autonomy to address a thematic discipline using computational approaches.

An innovative curriculum focused on:

• Joint classes in machine learning, data science and computational methods for research in the social sciences and humanities in M1 and M2;
• Specialisation in methods specific to each student's field (e.g. natural language processing (NLP), digital philology, network analysis, etc.) in M2;
• Research seminars and professionalisation courses in M1 and M2;
• A research project and dissertation: Students will conduct a data structuring and analysis project during their first year of study. In the second year, they will have to demonstrate their dual expertise in the human sciences and computational methods through a research project.

Although there are no prerequisites in mathematics or programming, this highly demanding course is designed for students who can demonstrate true interest in these disciplines.

Teaching Team

Master 1

In the first year, students attend a core course in digital humanities, as well as subject-specific courses (e.g. contemporary history, philology, sociology, urban geography, etc.).

• 20 ECTS in humanities and social sciences at a partner institution;
• 40 ECTS in digital humanities, including(see syllabus for an exhaustive list): introduction to digital humanities; fundamentals of computer science; data modelling and structuring (XML, SQL); quantitative methods; mathematics; Python programming; methodology; master's research seminar.

The first year of studies focuses on building a substantial thematic and computational background. The programme involves a mini-research dissertation combining the student's specialisation and computational methods.

A pre-entry week is organised for an overview of current research in digital humanities and technical adjustments (computer installations, etc.).

A refresher course in mathematics is available for students who need it. A significant part of the first year focuses on the acquisition or refresher courses in the fundamentals of computer science and data science.

Non-exhaustive list of courses and seminars open to master's students

External courses and seminars are selected exclusively from partner institutions, subject to the relevant teacher's agreement and the admissions panel's approval.

• École normale supérieure - PSL: See the seminars on offer in each ENC department
• École pratique des hautes études - PSL: See the list of open-access conferences from the humanities and social sciences departments, subject to the agreement of the teacher concerned.
• École nationale des chartes - PSL: See the École des Chartes professor's seminars
• École des hautes études en sciences sociales:See the list of courses 
• PSL week

Application

Master 1

You can apply on the national master's portal from 26 February to 24 March 2024.

Candidates selected by the teaching committee will be invited to an interview.

• Admission results: 30 April 2024

Only eligible candidates will be contacted.

• Interviews (if eligible): week of 13 May 2024
• Admission results: 4 June 2024

Master 2

You can apply on the PSL application platform from 26 February to 24 March 2024.

Candidates selected by the teaching committee will be invited to an interview.

• Admission results: 30 April 2024

Only eligible candidates will be contacted.

• Interviews (if eligible): week of 13 May 2024
• Admission results: 4 June 2024

International applicants

International applicants (excluding nationals of the European Economic Area, Andorra, Switzerland or Monaco) whose country of residence is covered by the Études en France scheme must apply for the first (and the second) year of the Master's programme on the PSL application platform.

Partner Courses

For the PSL Sustainability Science master's programme, see the relevant calendar on the PSL website.