How have language and literature changed from the past to the present? What factors influence their development? Does the attitude of people to certain literary motifs and topics or to varieties of German, such as dialects, change? What difficulties are encountered in conveying these complex contents and what approaches to solving them can be found? What makes a text a representative of a certain genre and what are the differences between the Germanic languages? If you are interested in these and similar questions, German Studies is the right program for you.

The sub-discipline Early German Literature can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program as a major or minor subject in the Aisthesis. cultural and media studies variant or in the flexible variant in the amount of up to 40 ECTS credits, in combination with at least one other subject and/or the Studium Individuale.

The sub-discipline Modern German Literature can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program as a major or minor subject in the Aisthesis. cultural and media studies variant or in the flexible variant in the amount of up to 65 ECTS credits, in combination with at least one other subject and/or the Studium Individuale.

The sub-discipline German Linguistics can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program as a major or minor subject in the Aisthesis. cultural and media studies variant or in the flexible variant in the amount of up to 40 ECTS credits, in combination with at least one other subject and/or the Studium Individuale.

German Studies abroad? This may seem strange at first glance, since you study the national language of Germany. But a semester abroad is also recommended for German Studies, because it broadens your horizon with valuable new experiences. You make valuable personal contacts that often last a lifetime, get to know the subject and university cultures of other countries, experience the exciting change of perspective on German as a foreign language philology and perhaps even learn a new language. In addition, students also have the possibility to approach German in a study period abroad from the perspective of other countries where the German language is an official language (such as Austria or Switzerland). A stay abroad in a country with a closely related neighboring language, such as Dutch or one of the Scandinavian languages, allows students to experience German from a new perspective, as Germanic neighboring languages show alternative linguistic developments to German on the basis of a common historical basis. Even after graduation, it often proves to be an advantage when applying for jobs if a stay abroad was integrated into the studies.

Partner universities

The Eichstätt German Studies department maintains contacts to various universities not only in Europe. The German institute partnership with two Brazilian universities, in which Eichstätt German Studies are involved (UFRGS Porto Alegre and UFPEL Pelotas), should be particularly emphasized in this context. Further information can be obtained from your lecturers and in the overview of partner universities at the International Office, where you will also find general information on financing and organizing a stay abroad.

The Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program provides for an internship at a private or public institution, which brings students into contact with possible professional fields at an early stage. Students also have the possibility to complete their internship abroad; for individual advice and support in finding an internship and financing possibilities, the KU Career Service and the International Internship Service are happy to help.

Career prospects

The program does not prepare students to fulfill the requirements of a specific job description but rather imparts practical professional knowledge and skills that are relevant to numerous social fields. The acquired skills qualify not only for an academic career or for a teaching profession, but also for fields of activity in cultural institutions (e.g. museums, archives, etc.) and political organizations (e.g. foundations, parties, NGOs), in the field of language teaching and adult education, in publishing and librarianship, in journalism, but also in business and the private sector (e.g. internal and external communication departments, sustainability management, terminology management, etc.).