• Bachelor of Arts
• Master of Arts
• Teaching degree program

Bachelor of Arts in English Studies

The Bachelor of Arts, which encompasses six semesters of study, requires completion of a total of 180 credits (Leistungspunkte, or LP) in both required and elective coursework. Bachelor's students may choose English Studies as their major field, in which case they complete 75% of their credits (113 LP) in English and the remaining 25% (35 LP) in their minor field. Bachelor's candidates may also elect to pursue a double major, in which case English Studies comprises 50% (74 LP) of their degree program. In both cases, B.A. students must complete 20 general studies (Übergreifende Kompetenzen) credits and write a Bachelor's thesis in a major field for 12 credits.

Students at the English Studies Department of the University of Heidelberg may choose English Philology as a major field (75%), a first or second major field as part of a double major (50%) or as a minor field (Begleitfach - 25%).

Information about the required modules, the courses offered in each, the mechanics of credit distribution and recommendations for efficient course sequencing may be found in the module overview for each degree program, which also constitutes part of the official requirements for graduation (Prüfungsordnung). The Module handbook contains a wealth of useful information. The English Studies Department places no restrictions on the choice of second major or minor field; any combination is possible as long as the requirements for both disciplines can be met.

The English Studies major (75% or 50%) in the B.A. program involves academic inquiry into the fields of English linguistics, literatures and cultural studies as well as thorough training in spoken and written English. Toward the end of the degree program, students choose to focus on either language and linguistics or cultural studies and linguistics. English Studies minors select a specialization in literature, linguistics or cultural studies as soon as they begin their studies. Further information regarding the content and requirements of all of the Bachelor of Arts programs is available in the Student Handbook and in the official requirements for graduation.

Please note: This information is provided as a courtesy only. The German text of the Prüfungsordnung is the official version.

Master of Arts in English Studies

The Master of Arts in English Studies allows students to specialize in English linguistics or English literature as either a major or minor field. Students who choose English Studies as a major field may select any minor field that offers an appropriate Master's level program. In particular, when combined with a major field in another language, an English minor offers an excellent opportunity to pursue comparative studies (in literature) or contrastive studies (in linguistics). Students who choose linguistics as their major field may also opt for English literary studies as a minor (and vice versa).

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in English Studies, English or American Literature (for a specialization in literary studies) or English linguistics (for a specialization in linguistics) is required for both the major and the minor in English Studies at the Master's level.

The goal of the Master of Arts program is to allow students to extend both the depth and the breadth of their knowledge of English studies and relevant research methodologies. In particular, the program stresses the importance of original research and encourages students to develop skills that are relevant for traditional academic pursuits as well as for studies involving new communications technologies and cultural competences. In this way, the program seeks to qualify graduates for academic careers as well as work in other fields requiring expertise in language, text analysis and communications.

The admissions requirements for the Master of Arts in English Studies program are specified by the University of Heidelberg. The course of study for majors is designed to last four semesters and requires the completion of a total of 120 credits (Leistungspunkte, or LP). Of these, 70 LP must derive from coursework and examinations; the M.A. thesis is worth 30 LP. Minors must complete coursework and examinations worth at least 20 LP. From the start, Master’s students opt to focus on either literature -- encompassing American and English literature and literary criticism as well as comparative and cultural studies approaches -- or linguistics, covering both historical and contemporary linguistics. Both options give students a broad overview of issues and literature in the field as well as the chance to concentrate on areas of particular individual interest. All coursework is explicitly oriented toward research.

Further information regarding the content and requirements of all of the Bachelor of Arts programs is available in the Student Handbook. For details about the required modules and relevant courses, please consult the MA degree requirements. The Modules are described more fully in the Module Handbook. The MA degree requirements overview contains information concerning deadlines, grading policy, transfer credit, examination procedures and the like.

Please note: This information is provided as a courtesy only. The German text of the Prüfungsordnung is the official version.

Teaching degree program

All new students beginning their teaching degree program must follow the regulations known as Gymnasiallehrerprüfungsordnung I (2009) which categorizes required courses and course types into different modules. It represents a compromise between the 'old' teaching degree program and the newer Bachelor's and Master's programs. On December 3, 2013, the B-W parliament passed a bill with the key elements of a new teacher degree program which is scheduled to be in effect by WS 2016. Students taking up their studies before WS 2016 will generally take their exams according to the regulations of the GymPO of 2009. Like the newer programs and the program that is coming up in 2016, the Gymnasiallehrerprüfungsordnung I (WPO 2009) is structured in terms of modules and incorporates grades obtained during the course of study as well as the final comprehensive examinations, whereby the latter are worth substantially less of the overall final grade than was previously the case. Several features of the older teaching degree program have been retained, however: the 10-semester program, the semester-long student teaching requirement, pedagogical coursework, the ethical-philosophical foundations requirement and the undergraduate comprehensive examination. Students pursuing a teaching degree must complete a teaching aptitude test (http://www.bw-cct.de) prior to admission as well as a teaching placement within the first three semesters of study. The Orientierungsprüfung (first-level examination), which is usually taken before the end of the second semester of study, along with the Zwischenprüfung (intermediate exam), which most students take by the end of the fourth semester, are still required. The new module system also allows students to gain teaching certification in additional disciplines by taking supplementary (major or minor) examinations.

The course of study for a teaching degree in English requires academic study of English linguistics and literatures, cultural studies and a solid practical foundation in spoken and written English. Required courses in teaching methodology and pedagogy are coordinated to complement the student teaching semester (recommended after completion of the intermediate examination) and the second phase of the preparatory work experience (Referendariat) that follows the first state examination. All students are strongly recommended to spend at least one semester abroad in an English-speaking environment; the university offers a broad range of opportunities to go abroad for students at nearly every stage of the degree program. In addition to the academic studies required in the two major fields, all future teachers must fulfill requirements in educational science, ethical-philosophical foundations and interpersonal skills. As part of the course of study, all students must complete a thirteen-week internship at a school; up to two-thirds of this requirement may be fulfilled abroad, either as an assistant teacher or at a German school in a foreign country. The last four weeks of the internship period as well as the supplementary classes run by the state institute for didactics and teacher training (Staatliche Seminare für Didaktik und Lehrerbildung) must be completed in Baden-Württemberg.

The academic phase of the teaching degree program concludes with the first state examination, followed (in Baden-Württemberg) by a four-week institutional and social internship, if the latter has not already been completed. The certificate of completion from this internship must be submitted in order to register for the 18-month preparatory work experience (Referendariat). Details may be found in the Student Handbook and at the Heidelberg University Center for Teacher Training.

Please note: This information is provided as a courtesy only. The German text of the Prüfungsordnung is the official version.