English and American Literary and Cultural Studies, M.A.
To those inspired by the diversity and openness of the English-speaking world, this study programme offers an academic home. Literary studies and cultural studies interconnect here, providing a broad perspective on the transatlantic world. Our interdisciplinary MA programme explores literatures and cultures in a close-knit, supportive environment. You will study academic subjects in combination with an international internship and study abroad experience.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Required English | C1 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Summer semester, winter semester |
| Application | Via uni-assist, winter semester until 31.05, summer semester until 30.11 |
| Admission | No admission restriction: every eligible applicant is admitted |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €351.15 per semester |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
Every applicant who meets the formal requirements is admitted — but places can run out before the deadline, so apply at the start of the window.
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →What you study
The MA programme consists of a total of eight thematic and practical modules and a final examination module. You can decide yourself how you would like to distribute modules over different semesters, but certain recommendations will help you to make the most of your studies: Try to complete the three courses of the language module (1) over three semesters to ensure the continuous development of your practical language skills.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Graduates of the MA programme work across a variety of professions, both nationally and internationally. Our advanced courses give you the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of different literatures and cultures in the English-speaking world. As part of your degree, you will learn about cutting-edge theories and methodologies that enable you to express your own ideas confidently in spoken and written English. Studying at postgraduate level also allows you to develop qualities of time management and self-motivation that are essential to future employment. This expertise will serve you well whether you go on to work in the public sector or for an NGO, in cultural institutions such as museums, theatres and archives, or in a job in adult education, advertising, journalism, publishing or event management.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (North Rhine-Westphalia), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €351.15 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | A Bachelor’s degree in English and American Studies (students who have completed their degree in related fields are also welcome to apply; depending on their background in English and American Studies they might have to complete additional courses before beginning the programme). |
|---|---|
| Language | English C1 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | Via uni-assist, winter semester until 31.05, summer semester until 30.11 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 3Application via uni-assist until 30.11uni-assist checks documents for 4–6 weeks — send them well before the deadline.
- 4Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
If your level is not enough yet
The two most common stoppers are a language level below the requirement and a certificate without direct admission. Both can be solved, but they take months — plan them now, not after a rejection.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 30.11.2026 (47 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.