Photos of university / #unifreiburg
This programme examines the literatures and cultures of Europe and their historical, systematic and sociocultural relevance, from ancient times to the present. The focus is on literary-cultural processes of production, reception and exchange, both within Europe and between Europe and other cultural areas. Special attention is devoted to the interplay between literary tradition and innovation, and to the productive connections between literature and other arts, media and forms of cultural knowledge. The programme's approach is decidedly comparative and interdisciplinary; it combines theory and methods from the fields of philology as well as from cultural and media studies.
The objective of the programme is to impart deepened knowledge of European literatures and cultures, in terms of both their historical origins and their present structures. Students learn to reflect according to methodological-theoretical models and to analyse complex literary and cultural phenomena. Integral to the programme is the attainment of comprehensive competence in dealing with inter- and transcultural issues, as well as the strengthening of practical skills within the field of literary and cultural exchange at home and abroad.
The objective of the programme is to impart deepened knowledge of European literatures and cultures, in terms of both their historical origins and their present structures. Students learn to reflect according to methodological-theoretical models and to analyse complex literary and cultural phenomena. Integral to the programme is the attainment of comprehensive competence in dealing with inter- and transcultural issues, as well as the strengthening of practical skills within the field of literary and cultural exchange at home and abroad.
Educational organisation
More detailed information at:http://www.germanistik.uni-freiburg.de/studium/studiengang/master/masterELK
Study abroad unit(s)
The integration of a study abroad unit is possible.Forms of assessment
Written exams (papers), Master's thesis, oral final examinationCourse objectives
Graduates of the Master's course in "European Literatures and Cultures" (ELC) have acquired a profound familiarity with current, in some cases competing, theories and methods of modern literary and cultural studies, and have learnt to critically assess their validity and relevance, as well as to apply them to the study of significant textual corpora from the history of European literature. They have intensely studied the temporal dimension, the longue durée, of literary processes of tradition and canonisation, which enables them to understand mechanisms of reception and selection in their socio-cultural embeddedness and to closely scrutinise the contribution of literary traditions and canonicity to the construction of collective identities. ELC graduates have learnt to situate networks of intercultural contact and communication within their literary as well as extra-literary contexts and to consistently analyse the consequences of such cultural relations in a theoretically and methodologically cogent manner. They have acquired professional insights into intermedial as well as intercultural phenomena and have at their disposal a profound understanding of the close interconnectedness between literature and its cultural and media-related environment. Their familiarity with current trends in literary and cultural studies enables the students to generate original research projects of their own and to pursue them according to the highest professional standards. Finally, the students have gained intimate, hands-on knowledge of institutions for the promotion of literature and culture in the public realm, both in Germany and abroad, and they have trained their ability to use their acquired understanding of literary and cultural phenomena in various professional constellations and practical fields.Language requirements
German: TestDaF 5/5/5/5 or DSH 3; English: CEFR B2; good knowledge (A2) of a further modern language or Latin/GreekRequired DSH / TestDaF
YesAcademic requirements
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in philology or cultural studies
Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.
- Flexible study schedule
- Experienced teachers
- Certificate upon completion
📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.
Enrolment fees
Approx. 150 EUR per semesterThe fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Freiburg area.
Costs of living
Participants must make sure in good time that sufficient funds are available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 800-900 EUR. Some details:- Student accommodation costs approx. 280-450 EUR (monthly).
- Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR (monthly).
- Health insurance is available for approx. 45-90 EUR (monthly).
- Transport: A special student fare for regional transport costs approx. 89 EUR (per semester).