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English and American Studies

Master in English and American Studies: two branches

  1.  University of bamberg
  2. Faculties
  3. Humanities
  4. Institutes
  5. English and American Studies
  6. Studies
  7. Courses
  8. Master in English and American Studies: two branches
  9. MA English and American Studies (regular track)
  10. Curriculum and Structure (regular track)

Compulsory Modules

Master Module English and American Literature10 ECTS
Master Module English Linguistics10 ECTS
Master Module British and American Culture10 ECTS
Master Module Language Proficiency10 ECTS

Explanation:
The Master Modules in literature, linguistics and culture consist of a seminar and an additional lecture or tutorial. The seminars conclude with individual term papers, which yield the module grade.
The Master Module Language Proficiency consists of the "Oberkurs" plus two additional classes. Students whose native language is English (i.e. who possess C2 level according to CEFR) need to approach the academic coordinators before taking up the programme.

Consolidation and Profile Modules

Consolidation Module10 ECTS
Profile Module I

10 ECTS

Explanation:
The Consolidation Module consists of a seminar and an additional lecture or tutorial. It closes with an oral exam (10 ECTS) about both courses.
Profile Module I consists of a seminar and an additional lecture or tutorial. The seminar concludes with an individual term paper, which yields the module grade.

Restricted Electives

Restricted Electives: Profile Module II10 ECTS
Restricted Electives: Profile Module III8 ECTS
OR: Modules from another MA programme18 ECTS

Explanation:
The Restricted Electives is a very free area in which students can decide to either continue modules in English and American Studies or include modules from other MA programmes.
If the student chooses English and American Studies, they must take two modules from the same subject area (Profile Modules II and III).
If the student chooses modules from other MA programmes, they can use only full modules on MA level following the regulations of the respective programme.

Free Electives (12 ECTS)

In this area, modules from other MA programmes must be included. These modules can range from language courses (see module handbook of the Language Centre) to complete modules from other subjects, e.g. history or politics. Only full modules on MA level are accepted.

An internship (max. 6 ECTS) can also be included in this area (internship application form). If you wish to do an internship, speak to your academic coordinator.

Master's Thesis and Master's Thesis Defence

The master’s thesis (26 ECTS) is written in the subject area in which Profile Module I has been completed. It is written in English and 24,000 to 35,000 words in length. In addition, an abstract in English (approximately 500 words) must be included. The topic must be approved of by an approved member of the faculty; a list of these faculty members is available from the web page of the appropriate subject area. Registration for the master’s thesis is completed through the Prüfungsamt and is only possible after 60 ECTS have already been booked on FlexNow. The module exam "Master's Thesis Defence" (4 ECTS) must be registered via the respective departments.

In this module, students need to take two obligatory courses: Betreuungsübung (supervision tutorial) offered by the professor who supervises the MA thesis and an "Oberseminar" (graduate seminar) in the subject area in which the Master's thesis will be written. These two courses can only be taken after students have passed 60 ECTS in their MA programme. This change in the structure is valid from 01 April 2022 onwards.

To find detailed information on the registration process and completion of the programme, see our Checklist MA thesis(123.1 KB) (new file, April 2025).