Career prospects

Graduates have access to a great variety of professional activities. Typical work areas include:

• World of literature (e.g. with publishers, houses of literature, libraries, documentation centres)
• Media (e.g. newspapers, radio, TV, online magazines)
• Press and public relations, marketing and advertising
• Cultural sector (e.g. Goethe Institutes, adult education, theatre)

If you gain a sufficiently high final grade you will qualify to continue for a doctorate. The department offers a structured doctoral study programme as well as DFG Research Training Groups.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.

Start of study

Winter semester | Summer semester

Study structure

The framework module Master School 1 "Theory" (54 ECTS-credits) is composed of master-level lectures on cultural theory as well as literature, art and media theory. The framework module Master School 2 "Interdisciplinary Perspectives" (66 ECTS-credits) includes master-level colloquia and an impulse seminar, which usually is run in cooperation with an international visiting scholar. Particularly in this 2nd module the interdisciplinary dialogue between the students is promoted.

The foreign language specialisation modules are all identically structured and organised. They each consist of one module that focuses on literary texts and gaining critical access to them, plus an additional module that takes a closer look at the cultural, historical and media etc. contexts surrounding these texts. These two central modules are complemented by a language skills module (in the language of the chosen area of specialisation) as well as a stay-abroad module. In individual cases, in-depth studies in a specific subject at the University of Konstanz can replace the stay-abroad module. In the case of German Literature there are similar modules to those in the foreign language sections with modules focussing on the texts and contexts, in-depth specialisation or a stay-abroad module. However, the practical language module is replaced by a module focussing on vocational orientation. This module offers key qualification courses in specialist areas.

These documents will support you in planning your studies:

• Module guide
• Examination regulation

At the University of Konstanz, you have a broad range of opportunities and training options that complement your study programme, for example orientation programmes to support new students, learning guidance, language courses, a data and information literacy programme as well as options promoting career-oriented skills and social commitment.

• GoMINt – orientation programme in STEM subjects
• Writing Centre – writing tutoring, joint writing sessions and workshops
• Language courses at the Language Institute
• Learning guidance, study tips, time management – workshops offered by the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)

• Advanced Data and Information Literacy Track (ADILT) – programme can be completed with a certificate
• Transfer – practical projects (research, business, politics and society)
• qualification N – Sustainability Certificate at the University of Konstanz

• Profil+ – programme for career skills (German skills required)
• Career Passport – programme for career skills (for international students)
• Advice on career entry, opportunities and workshops from Career Service

Internship

You can integrate a 3-6 month internship into your studies. The Department of Literature runs an internship database listing current offers, addresses of potential internship positions and reports of former interns.

Stay abroad

Master students can integrate a semester abroad into their studies. The department collaborates closely with international institutions of higher education. For the focus areas of study Iberian and Ibero-American Studies as well as Italian Studies, the cooperation partners are the Instituto Estudios Avancados of the Universidad de Santiago, Chile and the Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy. In addition to this you can study at our partner universities within the framework of the European Erasmus+ program as well as numerous other universities worldwide.

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

• Three Questions to Anja, M.A. Literary Sciences

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

• Information page for the M.A. Literary Sciences
• Information page of the Department for Literary Sciences
• Lecture Recordings (Literature – Arts – Media)

German Applicants:

• Above-average degree of a three-year (or more) programme in the field of Literary Studies from an institution of higher education or Berufsakademie
• For the focus areas English Literature and Culture, French Literature, Italian Studies, Iberian and Ibero-American Studies: language skills level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the corresponding language of the focus area.
• For the focus area Slavic Studies: Slavic language skills level C1 of the CEFR.
• For the focus area Latin Studies: qualification in Latin (Latinum)
• Important note: Evidence of C1 in the target language of the focus need not be provided if a BA degree has been completed in the same language or if the applicant is a native speaker.

German language skills: International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4. Alternatively, other language tests or school certificates recognized as equivalent can be used as proof of the required German language skills.

Further information can be found in the admission regulations.

Semester fee
All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Foreign language skills

• For the areas of specialisation English Literature and Culture, French Literature, Italian Literature, Iberian and Ibero-American Studies: language skills level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the corresponding language of the area of specialisation.
• For the area of specialisation Slavic Literatures: Slavic language skills level C1 of the CEFR.
• For the area of specialisation Latin Literature: qualification in Latin (Latinum).
• Important note: Evidence of C1 in the target language of the focus need not be provided if a BA degree has been completed in the same language or if the applicant is a native speaker.

German language skills
International applicants additionally need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent.

German and the language of the chosen area of specialisation.

You have gained an above-average bachelor’s degree in literary studies and are acquainted with the relevant literary and cultural science methods and texts. Your choice for your specialisation area is not dependent on the philological field of your first degree. In addition to this, you have very good communication skills in German as well as in the other language you have studied.

Application documents

Please attach the following documents to your application:

• Documentation of your academic degree including details on course work and performance. If you have not received your degree certificate by the end of the application deadline, please attach documentation of all your examination results so far;
• Current certificate of enrolment or proof of exmatriculation, if applicable (if you have studied at a German university, please indicate your 'Fachsemester’ and ‘Hochschulsemester’);
• Documentation of your language skills level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
  
  Important note: Please note the information provided under the tab "Admission requirements".

International applicants please also provide:

• If your documents are not available in German or English, you will need to have them translated. Please submit a German or English translation of your documents along with the original versions.
• Documentation of German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent
• Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country

An application is possible during the following period: 07.05. - 15.07. | 29.11. - 15.01.
There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website .

The Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) can help you with general questions about finding the right study programme as well as when you are concerned or unsure about your studies. We will be happy to advise you and support you with a wide range of services .

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
Room: D 409 – 412a
Make an appointment: termin.zsb@uni-konstanz.de

Questions related to the content or organization of the study programme:
Departmental student advisory service
Dr. Daniel Hütter
Contact person room H 210
Phone: +49 7531 88- 2421
Email: referent.litwiss@uni-konstanz.de