Studying literature in Germany will develop your passion for great writing and develop skills in forming critical arguments, conducting research, documenting evidence, and opening your mind to new creative ideas. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to work with internationally renowned journals and expand your understanding of life, ethics, and culture.
Studying literature in Germany will allow you to pursue various career opportunities across public and private sectors. You can pursue careers in areas such as communications, advertising, publishing, education, and research.
In this piece, I will walk you through the basic admission requirements and qualifications that are needed for studying literature in Germany.
Requirements for Studying Literature in Germany
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Academic Qualifications
You need to have a high school leaving certificate equivalent to a German one. Additionally, you need to make sure that your certificate is eligible and equivalent to the German certificate. However, if your certificate is not eligible, you need to attend the Studienkolleg (one-year preparatory course) and sit for the Feststellungsprüfung Exam.
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Submit Academic Transcripts
You need to submit your academic transcripts during your application. Generally, your transcripts should contain all the courses you studied as well as the grades.
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German Language Proficiency
The major language of instruction for most universities in Germany is German. Therefore, you need to be familiar with the German language to be able to learn in those schools. You need to write tests such as TestDaf, DSF and other equivalent tests.
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English Language Proficiency
If you are applying to universities that use English as their language of instruction, you need to submit a certificate of English Language. Therefore, you need to show proof of your English proficiency. You can submit tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
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Motivation letter
Most universities will require you to write and submit a motivation letter while making your application. This is an essay that contains areas such as your passion for literature, your career plans and your skills and experiences. Additionally, you may be asked to include your reason for choosing to study literature in Germany.
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Have a Bachelor’s Degree
If you are looking forward to obtaining a master’s degree in literature in Germany, you should have a bachelor’s degree. Your degree should be from a recognised university and in a field related to literature. Additionally, you should have a minimum of second-class upper or credits in your GPA.
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Resume/CV
You need to submit an updated resume or curriculum vitae showcasing your work experience. Additionally, you can add your professional certifications if you have any.
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Student Visa
International students require a German Student Visa to study literature in Germany. Therefore, you need to apply for your visa three months in advance to have a smoother process.
How to Apply
You can apply to study literature in Germany by applying to the university of your choice. However, non-EU/EEA applicants should apply through Uni-Assist for verification before applying to the university of their choice. Additionally, EU students can submit their application through the Foundation for University Admission.
Duration
The duration of studying literature in Germany depends on the degree you are applying to. The bachelor’s degree takes three years of full-time study to complete. Additionally, A master’s degree in literature in Germany takes two years of full-time study.
Tuition Fee
The cost of studying literature in Germany is relatively low. Most public universities in Germany have zero tuition fees, except in Baden-Württemberg where students pay approximately €3,000 per year. However, students are expected to pay a semester fee of €250 per semester. Additionally, private universities pay about €20,000 per year.
Universities in Germany that offer Literature
- Heidelberg University, Heidelberg
- Free University of Berlin, Berlin
- Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt
- University of Munich, Munich
- Technical University of Munich, Munich
- University of Cologne, Cologne
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg
- University of Tubingen, Tubingen
- Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin
- University of Bonn, Bonn
- University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart
- University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau
- University of Erlangen Nuremberg, Erlangen
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachen
- University of Gottingen, Gottingen
- University of Munster, Munster
- University of Wurzburg, Wurzburg
- Dresden University of Technology, Dresden
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz
- Technical University of Berlin, Berlin
- Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum
- University of Leipzig, Leipzig
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe
- Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf
- Saarland University, Saarbrucken
- University of Bremen, Bremen
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz
- University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld
- Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt
- University of Marburg, Marburg
- Kiel University, Kiel
- University of Potsdam, Potsdam
- University of Duisburg – Essen, Essen
- University of Giessen, Giessen
- Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Jena
In Conclusion, the requirements listed above are the general requirements for studying literature in Germany. However, each university might have additional requirements which they expect students to meet before they are granted admission. Therefore, you should make sure that you verify each university’s requirements properly before submitting your application. Additionally, you need to confirm the language of instruction for the university before you submit your application. You can reach out for further inquiries and assistance.
Good luck!
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