Faculty of Humanities

Degree Programs

Master's in German Studies

The Master program encompasses the two subject areas for German language and German literature.

Master Deutsche Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft

The literature component addresses the entire range of German literature, the associated cultural environments, and the relationship between German literature and literature in neighboring countries from the beginnings of German literature to the present day. The influence of Latin on German literature is also taken into consideration here. The advanced and supplementary courses focus on the transfer of literary traditions and the reception of German literature down through the ages, German literary subjects and genres, and the evolution of genres and writing styles, whereby special attention is paid to the continuity in early, modern and contemporary German literature. During the Master program, students may specialize in early German literature, early modern German literature or contemporary German literature.

The linguistic component expands the student's knowledge of the systematics, varieties and use of the German language, as well as its analysis. A variety of exemplary and specially selected topics are addressed in the individual advanced courses in order to make students more familiar with both theoretical and practical problems in this field. Students will learn how to critically reflect on the current state of research and independently conduct small research projects.



Basic information
Degree: Master of Arts in German Studies, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 120 ECTS credits
Degree programs:
  • Major German Studies 90 ECTS credits

 

Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor German Studies 30 ECTS credits
Combination possibilities: several
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: German
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

The Institute of Germanic Languages and Literatures offers the following programs of study within the framework of the German Linguistics and Literature program in the Faculty of Humanities:

  • Master program in German Studies (major, 90 credits)
  • Master program in German Studies (minor, 30 credits)

Content and Program Goals (Master major 90 credits, minor 30 credits):

The Master program encompasses the two subject areas for German language and German literature.

The literature component addresses the entire range of German literature, the associated cultural environments, and the relationship between German literature and literature in neighboring countries from the beginnings of German literature to the present day. The influence of Latin on German literature is also taken into consideration here. The following subject areas are addressed in depth using examples from Medieval, early modern, modern and contemporary literature: philology and editorial studies, rhetoric, poetics, history and theory of aesthetics and hermeneutics, the systematics of literature analysis, analysis of historical contexts (social history, science history) and comparative aspects in relation to other literary cultures. The advanced and supplementary courses focus on the transfer of literary traditions and the reception of German literature down through the ages, German literary subjects and genres, and the evolution of genres and writing styles, whereby special attention is paid to the continuity in early, modern and contemporary German literature. Students are made aware of problems associated with the research history and desiderata of their selected subject focus and are provided with the skills they need to select and apply from among competing research approaches the proper method of analysis for their subject focus. During the Master program, students may specialize in early German literature, early modern German literature or contemporary German literature.

The linguistic component expands the student's knowledge of the systematics, varieties and use of the German language, as well as its analysis. A variety of exemplary and specially selected topics are addressed in the individual advanced courses in order to make students more familiar with both theoretical and practical problems in this field. Students will learn how to critically reflect on the current state of research and independently conduct small research projects.

The program focuses on five main areas:

  • The linguistic system (grammar, comparative linguistics, typology)
  • Cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics (language acquisition, language and mental processes)
  • Sociolinguistics (varieties, group and professional language, language norms)
  • Pragmatics and communication research (interpersonal, public and intercultural communication)
  • Text and discourse analysis

Scheme of program

Combination possibilities

The Master program in German Studies consists of a major with 90 ECTS credits and a minor with 30 ECTS credits.

The major in German Studies can be combined with any minor subject taught in a sufficient scope at the University of Bern, with the exception of a minor from another program in German Language and Literature (German Studies).

Structure
Major ECTS Minor ECTS
90         30        

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in German Studies (major):

a) Bachelor's degree in the branch of studies German Language and Literature from a Swiss university
b) Bachelor's degree with a minor (60 ECTS credits) in German Language and Literature (German Studies), with additional attainments to be defined individually *
c) Bachelor's degree with a minor (30 ECTS credits) in German Language and Literature (German Studies), with additional attainments to be defined individually *
d) Bachelor's degree in German Language and Literature (German Studies) from a recognized foreign university, with additional attainments to be defined individually *
e) Bachelor's degree in another branch of studies, with an explicit request for admission and with additional attainments to be defined individually and which must be met in order for the student to be admitted to the program*
* Additional attainments of up to 60 ECTS credits may be required. These can either be admission requirements which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program or admission requirements which must be fulfilled before admission to the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

Please consult the admission requirements for the minor as presented in the plan of studies.

The bachelor's degree may not be more than ten years old. Exceptions are possible where justified. 

Swiss bachelor's degrees/programs

from the University of Bern

that allow admission to the desired master's degree program without any assessment:

  • Bachelor of Arts in German Language and Literature

from other Universities

that allows admission to the desired master's degree program without any assessment (document in German)

Deutsche Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft (PDF, 73KB)

Language requirements

It is strongly recommended that you obtain a qualification in a classical language (Latin and/or Greek).

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application and admission

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M A in German Studies, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration
   

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration
 

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

After completion of the Master's degree

Doctorate/PhD

Students who wish to participate in the Doctoral program must have a Master's degree in German Studies from the University of Bern, or a similar degree. You will find more detailed information on Doctoral programs in the Faculty of Humanities.

Secondary Level II Teaching Diploma

A Master's degree and the attainment of the Teaching Diploma for secondary school education at the Bern University of Teacher Education (PH) enable graduates to teach at the secondary school level. The Teaching Diploma is generally pursued as a double diploma for the major and minor. For further information, please contact the Institute for Secondary Level II Education at the Bern School of Education.

The Career Services office at the University of Bern and the Counseling Service of the Universities of Bern both provide information on how to begin a teaching career.