Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission to the Master's degree program:

• professionally qualifying German or an equivalent foreign degree from a higher education institution
  a) with a degree in English Philology that is at least equivalent to the 60-credit point module in English Philology offered by the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Freie Universität Berlin or
  b) in General and Comparative Literature (Comparative Literature), Cultural Studies, Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Sociology, Gender Studies, Film Studies, Theater and Dance Studies or in other philologies with a literary and cultural studies component in English Philology of at least 20 CP.

• Proof of English language skills (level C1 CEFR) for applicants whose degree was not obtained at an institution/university where English is generally the language of instruction across all courses in all faculties.

More information on admission requirements can be found here.

The MA programme focuses on the literatures and cultures of the Anglophone world (with the exception of North America), in the past and the present. It aims to enable students to independently analyse, historically classify and theoretically reflect on the literature, language, media and/or cultural practices of Anglophone cultures. This includes the study of national literatures and cultures as well as intercultural and transcultural encounters, transfers and influences. Students will acquire an understanding of the linguistic constitution of literary and non-literary texts as well as a differentiated knowledge of the relationship between literature and language. In addition, a sound understanding of the cultural-historical contexts, the interdependencies and interactions between language and other sign systems, and the differences and relationships between textual forms, media, and cultural discourses is conveyed.

Unlike more traditional English Studies programmes, this M.A. programme is characterised by a research-oriented approach that does not divide the subject into separate sub-disciplines. The programme’s interdisciplinary structure also allows students to specialise in their chosen area of study and research. The language-focused academic skills modules complement the disciplinary part of the programme and focus on linguistic aspects of literary and cultural phenomena.

The libraries of Freie Universität Berlin (in particular the Philological Library) offer students an ideal environment for study and research, thanks to their extensive book collections and excellent range of digital resources.

Staff members of the Institute for English Language and Literature are involved in the Collaborative Research Centres, the Graduate Schools and the Clusters of Excellence at Freie Universität Berlin, thereby ensuring a close integration of teaching and research.

The Master’s programme “English Studies: Literature, Language, Culture” comprises academic modules in literary and cultural studies as well as academic skills modules. The structure of the programme is set out in the study regulations, which contain detailed descriptions of the thematic focus and the learning objectives of the respective modules as well as a model study plan. The study regulations also specify the type and requirements of assessment in the respective modules as well as in the final Master’s examination. This also includes the number of credits for each module as well as the work load in hours for the entire programme.

The aim of the final Master’s thesis is to demonstrate that students are capable of independently researching and presenting a project with the help of academic methods. Upon successful completion of the study programme, students will be awarded a Master of Arts degree (M.A.).

Modules

Academic core modules 

Mandatory modules

• Module: How to Read: Methods of Analysis and Interpretation in Literary and Cultural Studies
• Module: Literary and Cultural Theories

Elective Modules (students have to complete two of these modules)

• Module: Constructing Difference: Literary and Cultural Histories
• Module: Literature and Media
• Module: Negotiating Gender: Constructions, Representations, Theories
• Module: Medieval English Literatures
• Module: Postcolonial and Global Literatures
• Module: Studying the Present Moment

Academic skills modules (Students have to complete two of the following modules)

• Module : Academic Writing
• Module: Literary Translation
• Module: Communication Skills
• Module: Contemporary Britain: Language and Identity

Graduates of the Master’s programme have acquired thorough academic and advanced professional skills. In addition, their language proficiency in spoken and written English comes close to that of a native speaker. This enables them to carry out their own research projects in English. They are able to present their knowledge and opinions orally and in writing, in a manner appropriate to both the register and medium. The programme also raises awareness for cultural and historical differences, issues relating to cultural encounters as well as cultural translation.

Depending on their specialization, graduates are prepared for a career in academia (Literary and Cultural Studies), as well as for a profession in the media, cultural institutions, the field of communication, and literary translation.