Faculty of Humanities

Degree Programs

Master's in Italian Linguistics and Literature

The goal of the program is to provide students with in-depth knowledge of the Italian language and Italian literature. Among other things, students learn how to apply the most important tools for linguistics and literary analysis in exemplary scholarly studies of the Italian language and Italian literature.


The program consists of four systematic-methodological subject areas:

  • Italian language structures (description, analysis and comparison of structures)
  • Variations and history of the Italian language (study of synchronic and diachronic variations)
  • History of Italian literature (study of the most important authors, literary genres and topics, including their respective historical backgrounds; study of research problems related to literature periodization and the geographical-historical role played by various cultural centers)
  • Research methods in the study of Italian literature (instruction in the most important techniques for analyzing literary texts and applying the required support tools from the fields of editorial studies, literature theory, stylistics, rhetoric, metrics and narratology )

The expertise acquired during the course of study enables students to pursue careers in a variety of professions such as translation, journalism and public relations. The program's location in the Swiss capital also facilitates the establishment of networks with the Federal Administration, a potential future employer.



Basic information
Degrees:

Master of Arts in Italian Linguistics / Literature, Universität Bern, with special qualification in:

  • Linguistics
  • Literature
Number of credits: 120 ECTS credits
Degree programs:

Major 90 ECTS credits Italian Linguistics / Literature with special qualification in:

  • Italian Linguistics
  • Italian Literature

 

Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor 30 ECTS credits Italian Linguistics / Literature with no special qualification
Combination possibilities: several
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: Italian
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

The Institute of Italian Language and Literature offers the following programs of study within the framework of the Italian Linguistics and Literature program in the Faculty of Humanities:

  • Master program in Italian Linguistics / Literature (major, 90 ECTS credits)
  • Master program in Italian Linguistics / Literature (minor, 30 ECTS credits)

Scheme of program

The following tables offer a schematic overview of the program structure in accordance with the main field of study and study combinations:

  • Table 1: Master (major) with Italian Linguistics as the main field of study
  • Table 2: Master (major) with Italian Literature as the main field of study
  • Table 3: Master (minor) with Italian Linguistics as the main field of study
  • Table 4: Master (minor) with Italian Literature as the main field of study
Table 1: Master (major) with Italian Linguistics as the main field of study
  Semester  Phase Courses Semester Periods  ECTS
  7  Master program Seminar Lingu.
Lecture Lingu.
Seminar Lit.
Lecture Lit.		 2
2
2
2
 7
3
7
3
  8 Seminars Lingu.
Lectures Lingu.
Colloquia I Lingu.		 2
2
1
 7
3
7
  9  Final phase Seminars Lingu.
Lectures Lingu.
Lectures Lit.		 2
2
2
 7
3
3
  10 Colloquia II Lingu.
Lectures Lingu.		 1
2
 7
3
  Master thesis Lingu.
 30

 Summe 90
Table 2: Master (major) with Italian Literature as the main field of study
  Semester  Phase Courses Semester Periods  ECTS
  7 Master program Seminar Lit.
Lecture Lit.
Seminar Lingu.
Lecture Lingu.		 2
2
2
2
 7
3
7
3
  8 Seminars Lit.
Lectures Lit.
Colloquia I Lit.		 2
2
1
 7
3
7
  9 Final phase Seminar Lit.
Lecture Lit.
Lecture Lingu.		 2
2
2
 7
3
3
  10 Colloquia II Lit.
Lectures Lit.		 1
2
 7
3
  Master thesis Lit. 30
 Summe 90
Table 3: Master (minor) with Italian Linguistics as the main field of study
  Semester  Phase Courses  Semester Periods  ECTS
  7 Master program Seminar Lingu.
Lecture Lit.
 2
2
 7
3
  8 Seminar Lit.
Lecture Lingu.
 2
2
 7
3
  9 Final phase Seminar Lingu.
Lecture Lingu.
 2
2
 7
3
 10
 Summe 30
Table 4: Master (minor) with Italian Literature as the main field of study
  Semester  Phase Courses  Semester Periods  ECTS
  7 Master program Seminar Lit.
Lecture Lingu.
 2
2
 7
3
  8 Seminar Lingu.
Lecture Lit.
 2
2
 7
3
  9  Final phase Seminar Lit.
Lecture Lit.
 2
2
 7
3
 10
 Summe 30

Combination possibilities

The Master program in Italian Linguistics / Literature consists of a major with 90 ECTS credits and a minor with 30 ECTS credits.

Any subject taught in a sufficient scope at the University of Bern can be chosen as a minor. However, students are not permitted to have a major and minor in the same branch of study.

Structure
Major ECTS  Minor ECTS 
90  30 

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in Italian Linguistics / Literature (major):

a) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university, or an equivalent degree, in the branch of studies Italian Language and Literature.
b)

Bachelor degree from a Swiss university in a different subject with a minimum of 60 ECTS in Iberoroman language and literature, provided that the completion of additional courses of a maximum of 60 ECTS in total will enable students to successfully complete the Master's degree or
c)

Bachelor degree from a recognized foreign university with equivalent qualifications, provided that the completion of additional courses of a maximum of 60 ECTS in total will enable students to successfully complete the Master's degree

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 Italian Linguistics and Literature

from other Universities

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

Italienische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft (PDF, 76KB)

Language requirements

If you have not completed the bachelor's level course Introduction to Latin Language and Culture for Students of Romance Studies, you must do this as part of your extracurricular studies during the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments. 

 
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 Italian Linguistics / Literature with special qualification in Linguistics or Literature, 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

Whereas up until a few years ago, the typical career prospects for graduates with a Master's degree in Italian Language and Literature were largely limited to teaching at the secondary school level, this situation has now changed. This is due in part to the broad-based education provided by the BA and MA programs in Italian Language and Literature at the University of Bern. A survey of former students of Italian Language and Literature taken in 2005 revealed that the areas in which the graduates now work are quire varied and extremely multifaceted as well. Former students of Italian Language and Literature are now teachers, translators, PR specialists, mid-level and high-level government employees, and journalists.