Master’s Programme German Philology

Would you like to acquire specialised knowledge and develop research approaches to language and literature and a critical awareness?

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The students of this Masters’s degree programme acquire in-depth theoretical and methodological knowledge in the field of German philology and may focus on specific areas in this field of study. They are able to develop and follow innovative theoretical concepts and research approaches by applying their comprehensive specialised knowledge.

Please note: the language of instruction for this programme is German.

Study Code
UC 066 817

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FAQ

Why is it worth studying German Philology?

Graduates possess highly specialised knowledge in the fields of German linguistics and literary studies. They are able to apply their competences in linguistics/applied linguistics, medieval studies or literary studies/mediation by independently formulate and substantiate scientific arguments and to find innovative solutions to problems as well as to communicate beyond the subject boundaries.

What are the main topics of the study programme?

The Master’s Programme in German Philology aims at the scientific examination of the German language and literature, its development and its functions in the present and history as well as the cultural, social and anthropological-symbolic processes in which they are embedded. Language and literature are seen as comprehensive cultural phenomena that recognise, understand and help to shape our living environment and promote the reflection of social and cultural processes also with regard to future development. Special attention is given to gender aspects in our culture that shape language and literature.

That is why in addition to thorough knowledge of historic, systematic and pragmatic aspects of language and literature and insights into the practice of literary teaching, also knowledge of media, its structures, mechanisms of action and shaping possibilities are given a lot of space. Studying the fundamentals and characteristics or oral and written communication and the developing of a high level or oral and written language competence are other major objectives of the Master’s Programme in German Philology. The comprehensive understanding of the subject corresponds to a large variety of theories. The Master’s Programme in German Studies is science-orientated.

What career opportunities do I have with this degree?

Graduates of the Master’s Programme in German Philology can apply their expertise in their field of work or study as well as knowledge from other disciplines for the strategic orientation and management of complex projects, operational areas or companies. Depending on the focus of their studies, they are qualified for the following occupational fields:

media: print media, radio, TV, new media etc.
book trade and librarianship
publishing: school book publishing houses, literary publishing houses etc.
cultural administration and education: houses of literature, cultural authorities, theatres, museums etc.
adult education: communication advice, writing centres, courses for German as Foreign/Second Language etc.
international culture and education exchange: e.g. within the scope of a lectorship or educational counselling
public relations: companies, public administration, cultural institutions etc.
research: university, literary archives, language documentation, edition projects etc.
The Master’s Programme in German Philology is science-orientated and the basis for a Doctoral Programme.

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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Faculty of Language, Literature and Culture Department of German Studies 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 German Philology 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 German Philology, how long the programme lasts, which modules must be completed and much more.

The 2009W curriculum is currently valid for the Master's programme German Philology.

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. 704 (amendment of the curriculum)
English version of the Curriculum (from October 1^st 2019)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 28 2019, Issue 68, No. 601 (modification of the curriculum)
University of Innsbruck Bulletlin September 28 2018, Issue 69, No. 699 (Equivalence list)
English version of the Curriculum (from October 1^st 2018)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin April 13 2018, Issue 25, No. 293 (modification of the curriculum)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin April 28 2009, Issue 83, No. 276
English version of the Curriculum

Requirements

Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:

Bachelor’s Programme Comparative Literature
Bachelor's Programme German Philology (2009W)
Bachelor’s Programme German Philology (2015W)
Bachelor’s Programme Linguistics
Bachelor's Programme Subject German

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:

30 ECTS-Credits Area: German Linguistics
30 ECTS-Credits Area: German Literary 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: VU Themes and Perspectives of Current Research in German Philology
5.0 ECTS-Credits: VO German Philology
2.5 ECTS-Credits: UE German Philology
2.5 ECTS-Credits: UE Methods and Theories of German Philology
5.0 ECTS-Credits: VU Scientific Writing and Publishing
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Oral Scientific Communication
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module

Second Semester »

5.0 ECTS-Credits: SE In-Depth Study: German Philology II
10.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Research Seminar I
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Selected Topics in German Philology
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module

Third Semester »

10.0 ECTS-Credits: SE Research Seminar II
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Selected Topics in German Philology I
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module

Fourth Semester »

27.5 ECTS-Credits: Master’s Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master’s Thesis Defense

Graphic chart »

MA Germanistik_Studienverlauf_Stand 01.10.2018_en

Minor

Within the scope of the Master’s Programme, a Minor corresponding to 30 ECTS-Credits may be passed.

More information and a list of possible Minors Areas 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	50.1	= 100%
2	GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors	29.1
3	SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors	14
4	SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria	6.8
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 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).