Study English Language and Literature

Possible master’s programs

• Master’s program in Language and Communication (M.A.)
• Master’s program in Literature, Media and Culture in the Modern Era (M.A.)
• Master's program in Intercultural German Studies (M.A.)

Students of the bachelor's program in Current English Linguistics and Literary Studies (CELLS) learn about English language and literature as well as the culture and society of Great Britain and the US.

By focusing on English and American Studies, you will gain a particularly thorough insight into the subject and receive intensive practical language training. Almost all courses are taught in English.

Over the course of your studies, you will specialize in either Literary Studies or Linguistics. In Literary Studies, you will learn the fundamentals and theories for scientifically analyzing literature from the late 20th and 21st century. In Linguistics, you will, for example, deal with language acquisition, multilingualism, and language development.

In the Career Perspectives module, you will acquire practical skills to prepare you for an increasingly digitalized workplace, such as how to create a website or produce a podcast. The Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives module, where you attend courses in other subjects that match your specialization, rounds off the study profile.

More than just English and American Studies
This bachelor's program taught in English focuses on current aspects and covers much more than traditional programs in English and American Studies. It combines theoretical specialist knowledge in the fields of English and American language, literature, culture, and media with well-founded language skills and key competencies that are relevant to your professional life. This program trains you to become an all-rounder with expertise in text- and image-related topics and prepares you for an international career in a digital workplace.

A bachelor's degree in CELLS qualifies you to work in communications. International companies and organizations, in particular, look for graduates with this qualification. You can work as an editor or social media manager as well as in public relations, advertising, or international customer management.

With your language proficiency, you can also work in continuing and adult education, for example as a communication trainer. Alternatively, you can pursue an academic career in the fields of English or American linguistics, literary studies, or cultural studies.

Internships
Internships are not mandatory for students of the bachelor’s program in CELLS. Nevertheless, we recommend that you complete a voluntary internship. The examination regulations provide for a practical module, where you can acquire key competencies that are relevant to your professional life. This module helps you with finding the right career or internship as well as with starting to work after university. In addition, you can find support and points of contact for questions relating to internships and career entry on the website of the School of Humanities.

If you wish to study CELLS, you should 

• have a very good level of German and a good level of English proficiency,
• be enthusiastic about English-speaking cultures and countries and interested in their social and political developments,
• have an academic interest in methods and theories,
• enjoy reading, writing, and discussing English and German texts,
• like to critically question and reflect on various topics,
• be interested in presenting content.

The bachelor’s program in Current English Linguistics and Literary Studies is currently selective. The following selection criteria are taken into account:

• grade average achieved in your university entrance qualification
• grades in relevant subjects
• proof of a good level of English proficiency (at least B2 level) if the average grade achieved during the final years of German upper secondary education is less than 10 points
• relevant practical work experience or extracurricular activities
• stays abroad