Literature, M.A.
The Konstanz Master's School of Literary Studies (in German) is designed for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in literature. The programme structure offers a unique combination of interdisciplinary philological modules concerning general literary studies with modules focusing on specialist philological subjects. You can study the MA in literature with the following main areas: English Literature and Culture, French Literature, German Studies, Iberian and Ibero-American Studies, Italian Studies, Latin Studies, Slavistics.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Required German | C1 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester, summer semester |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.07, summer semester until 15.01 |
| Admission | No admission restriction: every eligible applicant is admitted |
| Tuition fee | €1,500 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €164 per semester |
| Practical semester | Optional |
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 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 full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Graduates have access to a great variety of professional activities. Typical work areas include:
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- 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.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Baden-Württemberg), international students | €1,500 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €164 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | What interests and skills should I have? |
|---|---|
| Language | German C1 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.07, summer semester until 15.01 |
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.
- 2German up to C1 and a certificateDSH or TestDaF has to be passed before you apply.
- 3Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 4Application directly to the university until 15.01Send the documents well before the deadline — an incomplete application cannot be completed after it.
- 5Admission, 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 15.01.2027 (93 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.