Course content and focus areas 

The MA German Literature comprises four semesters of study and coursework. It augments andintensifies knowledge acquired in the BA Germanistik (or any comparable course of study resulting in aBA-degree). The curriculum aims to stimulate critical reflection regarding literature and culture and tostrengthen analytical and argumentative skills. It covers the entire spectrum of German literature from itsbeginnings to the present. In accordance with the organization of German literary studies into Older Literature and Newer Literature, the curriculum builds on the shared emphases on history, theory and aesthetics and offers studies on an advanced scholarly and academic level. It also hones the skills necessary to adequately understand and analyze the practical and discursive conditions of epochal transformations.

Students enrolled in the MA German Literature profit from co-operations with partners both on and offcampus, such as the Research Center for Historical Sciences, the Research Institute for Humanities at nearby Bad Homburg, the Cornelia Goethe Center for Women and Gender Studies, as well as publishers in Frankfurt, Radio Hessen, the Jewish Museum, the Fritz Bauer Institute, the Freie Deutsche Hochstift at the Goethehaus, the Literaturhaus Frankfurt and numerous others.

The MA degree in German Literature provides an excellent foundation for pursuing graduate studies in avariety of doctoral programs. At the same time, expertise gained in critical analysis and argumentativeskills prepares graduates for high level positions in areas such as media, culture, publishing andcommunication.

Detailed information

Information from the department 
Study regulations

Degree

Master of Arts in German Literature

Duration

The standard length of study for the Master of Arts is 4 semesters. 

Languages of instruction

German

Start of the programme

The study programme starts at the beginning of the winter- and summersemester.
 

Student advisory service

Admission requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or comparable degree in a similar subject
• Letter of Motivation (statement of your personal and professional interests about the Master's programme (Max. 700 words)
• Proof of English language skills (level B2) and of another foreign language (level A2-B1)
• Applicants with an international university entrance qualification and Bachelor's degree must prove sufficient German language skills according to the regulations of the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), the German language test for university entrance.

Provisional admission

If the university entrance qualification for the consecutive Master’s programme (namely the Bachelor’s degree) has not yet been completed, you can apply for the programme with a transcript of records on the basis of at least 80% of the required CP for the bachelor's degree. This provisional certificate must be issued by an office authorised to award grades or issue certificates. If a student is admitted, this will be on a provisional basis. Provisional admission is valid for 6  months.

Mode of admission

Admission is not restricted. Students will be directly admitted if the admission requirements are met in full.

Documents to be submitted

• if you are not already enrolled at Goethe-University Frankfurt:
  a university entrance qualification (e.g. A-Levels)
• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• if the Bachelor's degree has not yet been completed:
  - a transcript of records or equivalent document listing the content of the study programme and average grade
  - letter of recommendation from your supervisor (Download in the online application portal or here)
  - proof of current enrollment in the bachelor programme
• letter of motivation (max. 700 words)
• Proof of English language skills (level B2) and of another foreign language (level A2-B1)
• CV
• Declaration of examination claim (Download in the online application portal or here)
• if the first degree was obtained at an international higher education institution:
  certificate of German language skills. See here for more information about the required German language skills.
• you may need to submit other documents depending on your country of origin and your previous education; please see the general information about applying for a Master’s degree
• APS certificate for applicants from India, Vietnam and China (original)

Deadline for applications

01.04. - 31.05. for the wintersemester 
01.12. - 15.01. for the summersemester 

Address for applications

Online application portal for Master's study programmes