The courses in the MA programme are taught in English.
15 July for the following winter semester
15 January for the following summer semester
The focus of the MA British and American Studies programme is on intercultural knowledge and skills as well as on academic and research skills. It is centred around:
Within this spectrum, the Master of Arts programme in British and American Studies specialises in transculturation. Transculturation refers to processes of cultural exchange and intercultural phenomena. This allows students in this programme to broaden their horizons as well as to combine and connect linguistic, literary, and cultural studies to form a deeper understanding of these areas of research and life.
In this MA programme, students learn to do research independently and academically thoroughly and to grow further as writers of academic papers in literary and cultural studies as well as linguistics. In addition, students learn to connect these disciplines and understand English studies as one bigger interconnected area of studies rather than smaller insular areas of expertise. In the seminars of this degree programme, students get insight into different areas of English literary and cultural studies and linguistics, which they can apply and ground in a self-organised internship, in research projects they conduct themselves, in student conferences and in workshops they organise as a team.
Students interested in our MA British and American Studies programme should speak English on a very high level of proficiency and have existing knowledge of the discipline. They should also show a keen interest in all areas of study – albeit a focus can be chosen during their studies – and be open to working together with other students in this programme.
With a Master’s degree in British and American studies, students can work for international companies, cultural organisations, and foundations both in Germany and abroad. They can go into teaching adults or find jobs in media companies or publishing houses. Academia is another career sector, even if it is a small one.
Please note that all classes are conducted in English.
The Master's programme is organised in three basic and four main modules, one "Vertiefungsmodul" (advanced module) for the MA thesis and one module of individual supplementary study.
The three obligatory basic modules are (1) "Key Academic/Practical Skills", (2) "Theories of Language, Literature and Culture" and (3) "Contact Zones and Intercultural Studies". The basic modules should be taken in the first semesters.
The consecutive main modules are (1) "The English Language and the Processes of Culture", (2) "British Literatures and the Processes of Culture", (3) "North American Literatures and the Processes of Culture" and (4) Media and the Processes of Culture". Students may choose three of the four main modules.
The "Vertiefungsmodul" is dedicated to the MA thesis.
For the Individual Supplementary Study Module, students can choose seminars from any other subject at the university, but they can also fill it with an internship or with courses accredited from a semester abroad.
Since Bielefeld University does not charge tuition fees, every student only has to pay a social fee. The social fee includes the contribution to the social ticket for free public transport in the city and area of Bielefeld and on regional trains and buses in North-Rhine Westphalia for the whole semester.
The current semester contribution is approximately 300 EUR.
Costs for studying in Germany are relatively high due to the living expenses.
There are several ways of cutting expenses in Bielefeld. For example, it is possible to rent a room in a student residence for about 230 EUR, and a meal at the student canteen (Mensa) costs only about 2.60 EUR.
Admission to the MA British and American Studies programme is based on an online application consisting of:
On the basis of the applications received by the deadline, the admissions committee will decide on the suitability of individual applicants according to a point system. Only online applications will be considered. Please go to the application portal of the Studierendensekretariat and upload your files there.
Applicants must provide certified evidence of their proficiency in English:
15 July for the following winter semester
15 January for the following summer semester
Apply via the online portal.
For further information about the application to the Master's programme, please use the following link: www.uni-bielefeld.de/bewerbung.
Basically, with your residence permit (stamp in your passport), you will receive a work permit for 120 work days per year. This allows you to work 120 full days (eight hours per day) or 240 half days (up to four hours per day). This condition must be noted expressly in the passport by the authorities.
Please try to secure accommodation in Bielefeld as early as possible. In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices. Students residences are run by the public "Studierendenwerk" or private organisations, and shared flats are very common.
Offers of accommodation can be found online by following the links below:
The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.
Career planning is a step-by-step development and clarification process that requires individual strategies. Based on a strengths- and resource-oriented approach, we support you in developing your own career prospects.
Depending on your needs, our Career Service at Bielefeld University will accompany you throughout the entire process or in individual steps.
At PunktUm, our German Learning Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of academic support programmes that are designed to meet the needs of international members of the Bielefeld University. These include the Academic Mentoring Programme for Master's students, the Peer Mentoring Programme for Bachelor's students, and semester-long workshops designed to help all students and researchers with academic writing. We also offer individual consultations on academic writing in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) or German as a Second Language (DaZ).
The International Office provides an orientation programme for all international members of Bielefeld University, including degree seekers (BA and MA), double degree students, Erasmus/cooperation students, doctoral students, scholars, interns, and refugees/preparing applicants. Example of activities include Café International, campus tour, introductions to digital services and administrative procedures.
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