A language entrance test is required for some of the course types such as introductory seminars and regular seminars. You must pass this test in order to attend these courses. Passing the exam, however, is not a requirement for being admitted to the degree program!

Instead of this language entrance test, you can also document your English proficiency with other official language certificates.

Learn more about the language entrance test

You should also bring:

• A love of reading!
• A healthy dose of curiosity, which is at least as useful as prior knowledge of the topic: If you can engage with new texts and material and not just focus on things you already know, you’re in the right place.
• An interest in how language works and the particular characteristics of the English language.
• An interest in both historical issues and modern-day global connections.

You will study this subject as part of a two-subject bachelor’s degree program. The degree program always consists of an academic major and minor, which can be combined according to your interests or professional goals.

If you choose the subject as a minor, you will generally complete only a portion of the modules and classes taught to students of the major subject. As a result, you will focus on a selection from the content listed below.

The studies are divided into three main aspects:
literature, cultural studies and language practice.

Program structure

1st and 2nd semesters:

• Basic module on literature, cultural studies and language practice

3rd semester | Elective options:

• Cultural studies: choose from various subjects in history, politics and media
• Literature: develop your own area of specialization

4th to 6th semesters:

• Advanced language practice module
• Continuation of the specialization – primarily literary content up to the examination preparation in the sixth semester

Specializations

Will you choose to focus on older literature such as Shakespeare or Robinson Crusoe, or on a form of poem like the sonnet? When it comes to modern literature, do you prefer BrexLit (Brexit-related literature), contemporary Nigerian novels, or comics? You will have many options for designing your studies based on your interests by the third semester at the latest. Even where there are specific chronological or methodological requirements – that you must attend one seminar on older literature and one on modern literature in the fifth semester, for example – you still have options when it comes to the subject areas.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

The program structure easily enables you to spend time abroad at some point between the second and fifth semester.

Internships

As part of your studies in English Literature and Culture, you will complete an internship of at least four weeks at a business or organization. Alternatively, you can choose to study abroad, perform volunteer work, attend summer school or assist on a research project.

According to the program structure, your internship is scheduled for the third semester. However, the internship can also easily be integrated into the fourth or fifth semester.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

English Literature and Culture is not a subject that prepares students for a specific career trajectory.

Many graduates therefore pursue a career that doesn’t have a traditionally defined educational path, including the following:

• Editing
• Adult education
• Translation
• Journalism
• Corporate communication
• Science management
• Libraries and archives

In order to prepare you for a successful entry into these and related professional fields, you will acquire practical skills during the course of your studies which enable you to

• analyze and critically evaluate complex texts;
• independently research, prepare and communicate information orally and in writing;
• critically examine complex issues from different perspectives;
• communicate on an intercultural level;
• employ practical language skills.

Graduates of this degree program include a foreign correspondent for a national television broadcaster, an editor of children’s content at the same broadcaster, a sales representative of an international publishing house, a corporate communications employee of a large furniture retailer, editors at various regional and national radio stations, the director of an adult education center in the Rhine-Main region, and a newspaper editor.

These professionals laid the foundation for their careers during their studies by exploring potential professional fields during internships and part-time jobs and by developing relevant interests.   

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.