Master’s Programme English and American Studies

Would you like to analyse texts independently, acquire specialised knowledge of English-language literatures and cultures and develop your communication and research skills?

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The students of the Master’s Degree Programme in English and American Studies acquire sound knowledge and competencies in the fields of English linguistics and culture, English literature and culture as well as American literature and culture. Students may choose as electives courses and programmes offered in other departments and institutes of the faculty (for example, film studies, media studies, business communication).

Study Code
UC 066 812

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FAQ

Why is it worth studying English and American Studies?

Graduates possess highly specialised knowledge in the fields mentioned in the qualification profile. They are able to apply their knowledge at the intersections of related subjects and disciplines as well as to society by independently formulate and substantiate scientific arguments and to find innovative solutions to problems.

What are the main topics of the study programme?

The Master's Programme English and American Studies deals with the varieties of languages, literatures and cultures of the Anglophone world. It includes the following areas of competence: advanced language studies, English linguistics and culture, English literature and culture as well as American literature and culture.

Graduates are able to perform independent scientific work, to review and critically select relevant material, to evaluate, discuss and analyse as well as to summarise and transfer it to others.

They have the open-mindedness and methodological flexibility required by the constantly changing job requirements of today's labour market.

The competences trained include: Language, communication and presentation skills; scientific work in theory and practice; text comprehension and production; multimedia skills; cultural-historical, socio-political and intercultural skills; problem awareness and problem-solving skills; methodological skills; social skills and teamwork ability; independence and flexibility. Transfer of these competences is achieved via scientific discussion about the English language in its sub-disciplines and manifestations, literary texts in English and other text types and media of relevance for cultural studies.

What career opportunities do I have with this degree?

Due to the prominent role of English in today's world and the competences imparted by the Master's Programme English and American Studies, there is a wide range of activities and occupational fields for graduates: science and research; language and communication training (e.g. in adult education); literary translation, publishing, bookselling and librarianship; media (print media, radio, television, film, video, internet); cultural management and cultural policy; public administration and diplomatic service; economy and tourism.

Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students enter after graduation

What are further study programmes for graduates of this programme at the University of Innsbruck?

Doctoral Programmes

Literature and Cultural Studies

Linguistics and Media Studies

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Darstellung von Studenten die über Innsbruck schauen

Continuing education

Career Service

Faculty of Language, Literature and Culture Department of English Examination Office Information for students with disabilities

Curriculum

The curriculum is the basis of a degree programme. A look at the curriculum for the Master English and American Studies gives you a detailed overview of the structure, content, examination regulations and qualification profile of this Master's degree.

The curriculum can clarify several important questions before you start your studies. For example, which criteria must be fulfilled for enrolment in the Master English and American Studies, how long the programme lasts, which modules must be completed and much more.

The 2009W curriculum is currently valid for the Master's programme English and American Studies.

Information on the Curriculum (2009W)

The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.

In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.

University of Innsbruck Bulletins »

University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 5 2021, Issue 62, No. 703 (amendment of the curriculum)
English version of the Curriculum (from October 1^st 2019)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 28 2019, Issue 68, No. 600 (modification of the curriculum)
University of Innsbruck Bulletlin September 28 2018, Issue 69, No. 698 (Equivalence list)
English version of the Curriculum (from October 1^st 2018)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin April 13 2018, Issue 26, No. 295 (modification of the curriculum)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin April 28 2009, Issue 88, No. 281
English version of the Curriculum

Requirements

Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:

Bachelor's Programme English and American Studies (2009W)
Bachelor’s Programme English and American Studies (2015W)

Proof of general university entrance qualification:

The general university entrance qualification for admission to a master's programme must be proven by the completion of a subject-related bachelor's programme, another subject-related programme of at least the same higher education level at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, or a program defined in the curriculum of the master's programme. To compensate for significant differences in subject matter, supplementary examinations (maximum 30 ECTS credits) may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the master's programme.

The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the master's programme.

In the course of the proof of the general university entrance qualification, the completion of the following core areas within the framework of the completed bachelor's degree programme shall be examined in any case:

20 ECTS-Credits Area of Competence: Language Usage
10 ECTS-Credits Area of Competence: Linguistics
10 ECTS-Credits Area of Competence: Literary Studies
10 ECTS-Credits Area of Competence: Cultural Studies

Recommended Course Sequence

The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.

The standard duration of the study programme is 4 semesters or 120 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).

First Semester »

5.0 ECTS-Credits: Compulsory Module 1: Academic Research and Methodology
20.0 ECTS-Credits: Two modules out of the elective modules 1 to 3 ⁽¹⁾
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Selected Area ⁽²⁾ or Complementary Subject Areas ⁽³⁾

Second Semester »

15.0 ECTS-Credits: One module out of the eclective modules 4 to 6 ⁽⁴⁾
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Selected Area ⁽²⁾ or Complementary Subject Areas ⁽³⁾

Third Semester »

5.0 ECTS-Credits: Compulsory Module 2: Research Colloquium for Master's Thesis
15.0 ECTS-Credits: One module out of the eclective modules 7 to 9 ⁽⁵⁾5.0 ECTS-Credits: Selected Area ⁽²⁾ or Complementary Subject Areas ⁽³⁾

Fourth Semester »

5.0 ECTS-Credits: Compulsory Module 3: Preparation of the Master's Thesis
22.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Compulsory Module 4: Master's Thesis Defence

Graphic chart »

Studienverlauf_MA Anglistik und Amerikanistik_Stand 01.10.2019_en

Minor

As part of the Master’s Programme, a Minor of 30 ECTS-Credits can be completed.

More information and a list of possible Minors can be found at:
https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/wahlpakete/

Extension Programme

Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Extension Programme corresponding to 45 ECTS-Credits may be passed. Admission to the Extension Programme requires the admission to or the having passed of one of the selected Study Programmes. Detailed information: https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/es-entrepreneurship/

Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading

Examination regulations

The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.

Description of the applied grading system (including the grade distribution table) »

The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.

A	B	C	E
Austrian grading scheme	Definition	%-age
1	EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance	48.8	= 100%
2	GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors	30
3	SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors	14.8
4	SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria	6.4
5	INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work

December 2021

Overall classification of the qualification

Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).