Course content and focus areas 

The Master program Comparative Literature offers a two-year interdisciplinary, research-oriented course of study organized by the Department of Comparative Literature in cooperation with the Department of German Studies, the Department of English and American Studies, the Department of Romance Studies, and the Department of Drama, Film and Media Studies.

The consecutive program focuses on developing theoretical and methodical competence with respect to the study of literature, literary criticism, and cultural literary history.  Special emphasis is given to the investigation of comparative and interdisciplinary literary studies.  The program provides students with the skill to contextualize literary transfers within the entire cultural spectrum, including the relationship of literature to other arts and media.  It provides general disciplinary expertise as well as specialized proficiencies concerning critical intra- and interdisciplinary textual analysis.

The program comprises two sections, the General Studies Section and the Comparative Studies Section.  The obligatory General Studies Section concentrates on basic elements of philology, highlighting areas such as literary theory, poetics, aesthetics, and hermeneutics.  The Comparative Studies Section focuses on the study of literature across the boundaries of different languages, different medias, and different cultural und poetical traditions.  Within the Comparative Studies Section students are required to specialize in one of the following areas:

• Comparative Literature Studies (AVL)
• Comparative Media Studies (AVM)
• Comparative Theater Studies (AVT)
• Anglophone Literature (ANG)
• Francophone Literature (FRA)
• German Literature (GER)

Within the additional Optional Studies Section students are required to choose one of three areas: foreign language proficiency; studies in related disciplines such as philosophy or art history; projects in theater or media studies.

The Master program in Comparative Literature prepares students for numerous PhD-programs in the humanities; it also provides qualifications for a wide range of professions within the culture and media sector.

Detailed information

Information from the department
Study regulations

Degree

Master of Arts in Comparative Literature

Duration

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

Languages of instruction

(normally) German

Start of the programme

The study programme starts at the beginning of the winter semester.  

Student advisory service

Prof. Dr. Achim Geisenhanslüke
Institut für Allgemeine und Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft
Norbert-Wollheim-Platz 1
D-60323 Frankfurt

Tel. +49(0)69-798-32869
E-Mail: geisenhanslueke@lingua.uni-frankfurt.de

Prof. Dr. Dr. Judith Kasper
Institut für Allgemeine und Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft
Norbert-Wollheim-Platz 1
D-60323 Frankfurt

Tel. +49(0)69-798-32875
E-Mail: kasper@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Admission requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or comparable degree in a similar subject, like f.ex. literature, American Studies, English Studies, German Philology, Romance Philology or Theater-, Film- and Media Studies
• if you didn't study your Bachelor's degree at the Goethe-University:
  Transcript of Records
• an extra page with the study-related courses (title of the course, CP and if possible the grade) Study related courses are courses in literary theory, aesthetics, poetics and comparative analytics of literature.  
• Proof of English (normally niveau C1 but least B2) and French (at least B2) or Latin (qualification in Latin) language skills
• 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

Provisional admission is possible on the basis of a current transcript of records; at least 80% of the credit points in the B.A. must have been obtained; the Bachelor’s thesis must be finished or almost finished. Provisional admission is valid until the end of the first semester of the master’s program. The bachelor’s degree must thus be handed in by March 31 (winter intake) or September 30 (summer intake) the latest.

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)
• certified copy of your Bachelor’s degree certificate (international applicants: please enclose a certified copy in English or German translation)
• 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)
  - proof of current enrollment in the bachelor programme
• If you didn't study your Bachelor's degree at the Goethe-University:
  - a Transcript of Records
• an extra page with the study-related courses (title of the course, CP and if possible the grade)
• Proof of language skills (English and French or Latin)
• CV
• Declaration of examination claim (Download)
• 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.
• APS certificate for applicants from India, Vietnam and China (original)

Application period

01.04. - 31.05.

Address for applications

Online application portal for Master's study programmes