Italian Studies
Degree
Master of Arts
Semester fee
71
Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
4
Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt
Part-time studies possible
No
In the Master's degree program in Italian Studies, you will differentiate and deepen your knowledge of the Italian language, literature and culture. You will acquire methodical and analytical skills that will enable you to speak and write about the Italian language and Italian texts and media in a reflective manner. Historical, political and social contexts are always taken into account, making you an expert on Italy – a country that not only has an exceptionally rich cultural tradition but is also an important economic partner for Germany.
The subject can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program as a major or minor subject in the Aisthesis.Culture and Media variant or in the flexible variant in the amount of up to 55 ECTS credits, in combination with at least one other subject and/or the Studium Individuale.
The program in detail
Contents
In the part of the program devoted to literary and cultural studies, you will become familiar with Italian literature and culture from the Middle Ages to the present, including the works of authors from Dante Alighieri to Roberto Savino; but also with Italian-language literature from other cultures. In the linguistic part of the program, you will systematically deal with the structure and history of the Italian language.
All participating disciplines and sub-disciplines offer a wide range of topics from which you can choose according to your interests and preferences. In contrast to the Bachelor's degree program, the Master's degree program allows for a stronger disciplinary and thematic focus and promotes a study development according to individual knowledge and research interests.
A further essential component of the program is the deepening and broadening of your own Italian proficiency. You will choose from a wide range of practical language and cultural courses conducted by Italian native speakers.
Structure
Semester 1 to 2
In the first two semesters of the Master's program, students choose between further courses in Italian literature or cultural studies and/or linguistics, depending on their personal interests, and deal with topics and questions in the chosen areas in depth. Here, they already start to focus on the subject area in which they would like to write their Master's thesis. In addition, there are practical language courses in which students acquire Italian skills at level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Semester 3 to 4
It is recommended to use the third semester for studying abroad in Italy: There are numerous partner universities to choose from. The final semester is reserved for writing the Master's thesis; students do not attend any required courses here, but have the opportunity to present and discuss the research topic chosen for their work in the scientific colloquium.
Facilities
For optimal acquisition and consolidation of foreign language skills, the KU Language Center has set up a multimedia center for students. Regular guest lectures, guided visits to cultural events and organized field trips to Italy and other regions of the world with a connection to Italy or the Italian language offer additional opportunities to broaden your linguistic, historical and philological horizons while studying.
Rankings and assessments
KU students and alumni have voted for their University to be Germany's most popular university in the 2024 ranking of the online portal StudyCheck. This is the third time in a row, as KU was also voted the most popular university in 2021 and 2022. The ranking was based on over 78,000 evaluations for more than 500 higher education institutions and universities. 97 percent of students questioned for the ranking would recommend studying at the KU to others.
"There is no better praise for a university than almost 100 percent of students and alumni agreeing: I can only recommend studying at the KU! That is why we are very pleased with the ranking’s outcome, because it expresses the high level of satisfaction of our students," says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.
Studying abroad
You can spend a semester abroad in the third semester of your Master's program. In your study-abroad period, you can choose courses that will help you to develop your profile with regard to your future professional activities. The KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt maintains a vast network of partner universities worldwide. In addition, you can spend a self-organized semester abroad at other universities in Italy.
Partner universities
We maintain Erasmus partnerships with the following universities in Italy:
Bari Università degli Studi di Bari
Bologna Università di Bologna
Bolzano Libera Università di Bolzano – Freie Universität Bozen
Catania Università degli Studi di Catania
Lecce Università del Salento
Milano Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Modena / Reggio Emilia Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Roma Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta
Università degli Studi di Roma ‘La Sapienza’
Torino Università degli Studi di Torino
Udine Università degli Studi di Udine
Urbino Università degli Studi di Urbino „Carlo Bo“
Further information on the application process and organization of an ERASMUS semester can be found on the website of the International Office of the KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.
Practical connection
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 possibilities and professional fields
Career prospects
The Master’s degree program in Italian Studies provides students with practical knowledge and skills for a wide range of professions. The main aim with regard to professional skills is for students to develop critical and structured thinking skills that enable them to deal with texts, traditions and contextual connections of cultural regions with a relation to Italy or the Italian language in the globalized world.
After completing your program in Italian Studies you will have access to a broad range of professional fields. In addition to an academic career, your acquired knowledge will also qualify you for work in the media and journalism. Possible professional fields include political organizations, press and public relations, cultural institutions, the library and publishing industry, and language teaching and adult education.
The University's Career Center supports you in individually designing your career perspectives, for example in finding internships in Germany and abroad.
Alumni testimonials
"Italiano, français, español, português ...
From Italian literature and French regional studies to Spanish language history and Portuguese language practice – a journey through different places and times right in the heart of Bavaria. That was my everyday study life, or rather: my study adventure!
Romance studies…
"Italiano, français, español, português ...
From Italian literature and French regional studies to Spanish language history and Portuguese language practice – a journey through different places and times right in the heart of Bavaria. That was my everyday study life, or rather: my study adventure!
Romance studies enabled me to immerse myself more and more in languages and their cultures. What at first seemed like a collection of many small islands gradually merged into a large world of countless and hidden connections. That's why I liked the linguistic-cultural roots and bridges between them best during my studies. Of course, every single Romance language also has its own treasure, which I was able to discover together with like-minded people in many lectures and seminars.
Because this overarching common interest brought the special flair: I found a new social and mental home in Eichstätt and the University family. Here, you know each other and meet friends everywhere immediately. Fellow students quickly became friends and, thanks to the excellent staff-to-student ratio and close relationship with professors, they became valuable supporters and advisors who were close at hand and who were eager to take wishes into account when offering courses and to actively support us students.
Eichstätt and a Romance language?
Mi piace! J'aime! ¡Me gusta! Gosto!
What about you?”
The KU
Campus
Short distances on campus at the KU save time and avoid stress. The KU is a campus University with modern facilities. The buildings on campus are located close to the Eichstätt old town. Although the University and its campus has grown, it is still characterized by short distances: In Eichstätt, everything can be reached within ten minutes’ walking distance. On campus, green spaces such as the Hofgarten are the perfect places to relax. The garden of the Kapuzinerkloster is also used by different student initiatives for their projects. The canteen is located at the heart of the Eichstätt campus and has a sun deck and cafeteria that leave nothing to be desired.
What sets the KU apart
Studying at the KU is more than just acquiring specialist knowledge. We broaden our horizons together and take on responsibility in and beyond the individual degree programs. The KU has a particular focus on topics such as personal development, sustainability, social skills and social commitment.
It offers its students the possibility to study and work in a welcoming atmosphere and benefit from outstanding support and comprehensive service offers, a well-stocked library, a broad range of sports and leisure activities and a large global network of approx. 300 partner universities. Our team at the International Office helps you to plan your semester abroad and the KU Career Service provides comprehensive advice and support for embarking on your professional career.
Do I have to be Catholic in order to study at the KU? Do I have to deal with Catholic contents during my studies?
No, the KU is open to students of all faiths and beliefs.
At the KU, just as at all state universities, there is freedom of research and teaching. This means that our degree programs focus on the subjects for which you have enrolled – free from external influences.
As a student at our University, you will notice what our understanding of being a Catholic University means for us in one thing in particular: The University’s focus is on the individual person. The talents and potential of all those who teach, study, work and carry out research at the KU form our most important foundation – regardless of their religion or beliefs, nationality, ethical, cultural or social background, disabilities, gender, sexual orientation or age.
This is why we promote your best possible academic education through personal support and an ideal staff-to-student ratio. At the same time, the KU is more than just a place for earning your degree: We attach particular importance to imparting social skills and advancing our students’ sense and value orientation in addition to providing them with a high level of academic and methodical qualification.
Our aspiration for our University is to build bridges between science and society and to make knowledge available for society as well as to integrate impulses from outside the University into our research and teaching practice. We aim to make a valuable contribution to social coexistence, to the free democratic basic order and to preserving creation.
Isn’t Eichstätt quite small for a university town?
With a population of around 15,000, it is probably the smallest university town in Europe. For our students, this means living and learning in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Whether it is on the way to a lecture in the morning, at the canteen for lunch or in the pub in the evening, you will often come across people you know. It is easy to meet people in Eichstätt! By the way, the KU’s “living room” is the Theke, a bar run by students for students. Here, people meet for parties, jam sessions, karaoke evenings or a cozy round of table football.
A small town also means short distances: The library, the swimming pool, the cinema or the supermarket – everything can be reached in a few minutes on foot or by bike. The town is located right in the heart of the Altmühltal natural park – a real paradise for climbers, canoeists, hikers and cyclists just around the corner.
Should you still reach a point when you feel too cooped in, you can breathe big city air easily near Eichstätt. Ingolstadt with its 135,000 inhabitants is only a few kilometers away and offers a variety of shopping and nightlife options.
The location
![[Translate to Englisch:] Biergarten](/fileadmin/22/Studiengaenge/Bilder_fuer_Studiengangwebseiten/Biergarten.jpg)
Eichstätt and the surrounding Altmühltal natural park are not only a popular destination for culture enthusiasts and nature lovers, but also for cyclists, climbers, canoeists and fossil collectors. Located between Munich and Nuremberg, the city impresses with its Baroque setting and southern flair combined with modern and prizewinning architecture as well as a broad variety of cultural offerings and leisure activities.
The Baroque park at the heart of the campus and the nearby banks of the Altmühltal river are the KU’s “green living room”. Another big advantage: all University facilities are just a short walk away from each other.
Advisory Service
Some offers and study conditions are different for international students – our International Office is happy to provide help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team. We are happy to accompany you on your way to the KU and hope that we can welcome you in person soon!
David
Guevara
Coordinator Welcome Services and International Campus
Building
Domplatz 8
|
Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt
Application
Requirements
Bachelor
see examination regulations interdisciplinary MA
see examination regulations interdisciplinary MA
Language requirements
DSH 2
Application period winter
May 01
-
Jul 15
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
Yes
The application process for international applicants is now completely digital. You can register online in our application portal and carry out and submit your application. After you have carried out the application and uploaded your documents, you do not need to send your documents to us again by post. You do have to submit certified true copies only if you are admitted at the time of enrollment.
Depending on the course of study, you may be asked for information on internships, professional experience, etc. Please upload the relevant documents in the upload area for all the information you provide, even if these are not mandatory fields!
Before you start the application process, please read the additional information on this page, in particular the information on the respective (German) language requirements and university entrance qualifications.