This research-led Master of Arts in English Studies offers advanced, in-depth work on the English language and the literatures and cultures of Great Britain, Ireland and other English-speaking regions. The programme is modular, allowing you to specialise in one of two main tracks—Culture and Literature, or Linguistics and Applied Linguistics—or to combine both fields by allocating equal study to each. Teaching and assessment are conducted entirely in English.
The Culture and Literature track combines intellectual history and discourse analysis with Cultural Studies (cultural history, popular culture, media and cultural translation) and Literary Studies (texts from the Renaissance to the present, examined in relation to other discourses such as philosophy and religion). An optional Wild Card module lets you gain practical work experience through a self-organised internship. The Linguistics and Applied Linguistics track focuses on empirical description and analysis of English in light of current theory and pedagogy, covering topics such as construction grammar, valency theory, collocation and idiomaticity, corpus linguistics, first- and second-language acquisition and learner language, the history and variation of English, and areas of foreign-language teaching (lexicography, contrastive grammar, speech perception and production, literacy development, bilingualism and bilingual education).
All study paths include advanced English language and academic-skill training, the option to take modules from related subjects (for example North American Studies, Book Studies or Romance languages), and opportunities to study abroad at partner universities in Europe. The programme’s research focus is supported by several established interdisciplinary centres, including:
Program essentials and practical notes
For specific details on admission criteria, programme length, tuition/fees (if applicable) and application deadlines, consult the programme’s official information or contact the department directly.
This consecutive MA in English Studies is offered as a two-year full-time programme (or as a four-year part-time option) and amounts to 120 ECTS in total (typically 60 ECTS per full academic year, or 30 ECTS per part‑time year). The curriculum is fully modular, giving you flexibility to combine a range of courses over the two years. There are also a number of places available for study exchanges with other European universities, enabling an international semester within your degree.
The programme’s modular structure means students can select from a broad catalogue of courses to shape their profile. While specifics and model study plans (including the three distinct study paths) are provided on the programme website, you can expect to work across core themes common to advanced English Studies — for example, literary and cultural analysis, linguistic theory and description, specialised seminars, and research methods — and to deepen skills through elective modules and a research thesis. Key learning outcomes include advanced critical reading and interpretation, rigorous research design and academic writing in English, the ability to apply theoretical and methodological approaches to interdisciplinary questions, and preparation for further research or professional careers that value strong analytical and communication skills.
Admissions and practical details (application procedure, language proof, full module lists and current course offerings) are available on the programme web pages; the site also contains information about studying at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen‑Nuremberg and model course structures for the three programme paths.
Requirements and practical items to check
This programme requires an undergraduate degree in English and American Studies (BA or equivalent) or a closely related subject. Your completed bachelor's degree is the qualifying credential for admission.
As a minimum academic threshold, the final grade of that qualifying degree must be 2.5 or better. In exceptional, well-documented cases, applicants with a final grade up to 3.3 may still be considered. If your national grading system differs from the German scale or you need guidance on equivalency, please consult the programme website or contact the admissions office for clarification.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Graduates leave the programme with advanced research skills, strong academic English and specialist knowledge that prepare them for doctoral studies or research roles. The combination of theoretical and applied modules also equips alumni for careers in language teaching, lexicography, publishing, cultural institutions, media, and other organisations that value expertise in English studies and interdisciplinary analysis.
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