German Language and Literature
German Language and Literature (M.A.)
Ready for the next level in German Language and Literature? The Master’s degree program offers you the opportunity to specialize and deepen your knowledge in one of three subfields: linguistics, medieval studies, and modern German literature. Explore the diversity of German language and literature and learn to analyze it historically, culturally, and regionally. Acquire valuable skills in your Master’s degree program in German Language and Literature for your professional future.
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Summer semester, Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- Part-time degree program
- Teaching language
- fully german
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
The Master’s degree program in German Language and Literature builds on the fundamentals of the BA program and enables students to deepen their knowledge of the subject and specialize in one of the three German Language and Literature subfields of Linguistics, Medieval Studies and Modern German Literary Studies within four semesters. The degree program focuses on the German language and literature in their historical, socio-cultural and regional diversity as well as on the linguistic, literary and cultural methods and theories of their analysis. The acquired scientific, methodological and communicative competencies should enable students to act independently and creatively in their intended profession.
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Wissenspopularisierung
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The Master’s degree program in German Language and Literature at FAU can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The subject study and examination regulations provide further details on the modules to be taken. A detailed overview of the structure of the program can be found here.
In principle, there is a high degree of freedom of choice, which allows you to take advantage of the full range of courses offered (primarily master’s seminars and tutorials). Specialization in one of the German Language and Literature sub-subjects (Linguistics, Medieval Studies and Modern German Literary Studies) is possible from the first semester onwards; it is also possible to study the entire spectrum of German Language and Literature. 20 ECTS may be completed in the form of reading modules (self-study) instead of seminar courses. In the scope of 10-30 ECTS, modules of free choice from the subject spectrum of the Faculty of Humanities may be taken (extra-disciplinary modules). This allows for an additional professional profile and facilitates double studies.
Within the framework of the project module, students are required to complete a scientific internship in a university-internal research project or a job-oriented internship at a non-university institution or company (200 hours in total), which allows them to test the practical application of German Language and Literature skills during their studies.
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The research foci of Erlangen German Language and Literature are also reflected in the teaching program of the Master’s degree program.
These focal points include
- in linguistics, grammar, lexicography, historical linguistics with a focus on early New High German, variation linguistics and corpus linguistics,
- medieval German literature, digital philology and digital editions, as well as cultural-historical and comparative approaches in medieval literary studies, and
- in modern German literary studies, contemporary literature and culture, early modern literature and culture, and comparative literature.
Beyond the normal course offerings, numerous guest lectures by Germanists from Germany and abroad provide insights into current research. In addition, the “Poetik-Kolleg” features guest lectures by important authors of contemporary literature, who present their works and answer questions from students and lecturers.
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If you have completed the degree programs “BA German Studies” or “Teaching German”, you are qualified for this degree program. Furthermore, after a selection interview, graduates of other cultural studies and humanities programs can also be accepted if their studies focused on literature and/or linguistics with a total of at least 70 ECTS credits.
If you are interested in the Master’s degree program and are unsure whether your degree qualifies you for it, please contact the student advisor in the Master’s degree program.
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The module structure allows a one-semester study abroad, the achievements of which can be brought in as extra-disciplinary modules to the extent of 30 ECTS, which is why a semester abroad not related to the subject is also possible.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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15.07.
- Application deadline summer semester
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15.01.
- Content-related admission requirements
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- An overall grade of at least “good” (2.5) is sufficient for the previous university degree; with an overall grade of 2.51 to 3.00, applicants complete an individual admission interview.
- For an application in the current final semester of the BA program, proof of 140 ECTS credits is sufficient.
Applicants who do not have a German degree or a German university entrance qualification additionally require proof of German language skills at level C 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages (in particular Goethe-Zertifikat C2:GDS or telc Deutsch C 2) or comparable proof (DSH-3 or TestDaF 5) at the time of application.
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.