A portion of the specialist literature is written in English. Therefore, your English skills should be good enough to read and understand these texts. You should also have knowledge of one other modern foreign language or of Latin.

You should be willing and excited to read a lot. In this program of study, you will read not only literature, but also academic texts on the topic of literature and language. Since you will also be working with literature from, for example, the Middle Ages in this degree course, you should also be prepared to engage with the language and literature of bygone eras.

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.

Program structure

In order to build a solid and broad foundation, you will begin by attending classes from all four subject areas (early and modern German literature and historical and descriptive linguistics).

Introductory phase (1st and 2nd semester):
Fundamentals of linguistics and literature

Advanced phase (3rd and 4th semester):
Systematic and historical foundations of the subject

Specialization phase (5th and 6th semester):
Specialization in the field of linguistics or literature

In the core subject of German Studies, you will have the option from the 5th semester onwards to specialize in literature or linguistics. You will also write your bachelor’s thesis in this area of specialization. To help you gain insight into fields of activity during your studies, a professional module with an internship is included in the program structure. In addition, the studium generale offers you the opportunity to attend courses from various disciplines to broaden your perspectives.

Stay 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.

Internships

The German Studies major includes a four-week internship.

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.

In the German Studies degree program, you will learn how to understand complex issues, describe them clearly, and investigate them critically. You will be able to engage with different topics and have learned to ask questions and to examine problems from different perspectives. These skills are needed for any challenging job, and they are a requirement in most professional fields.

You will typically find jobs in the following areas:

  • Journalism
  • Press and public relations
  • Publishing
  • Film and television production
  • Broadcasting
  • Literature houses
  • Cultural offices and similar institutions
  • Science administration and management
  • Adult education
  • Marketing
  • Services in information research and documentation as well as text production
  • Development of exhibition and event concepts

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.

Found the degree program of your choice?
Your dream degree program is just an online application away!

We will show you how to apply for a spot at JGU and what you need to consider regarding requirements, admissions and application deadlines.

Not sure what subject suits you? Don’t know what your chance of securing a place at the university is? Or just can’t decide what comes next?

Call the hotline below to make an appointment with the Student Advisory Center. They can advise you in all study-related matters.
The advisors will be happy to help you in person, by phone, or online with the following:

  • Choice of degree & subject combination
  • Change of subject
  • Overcoming doubts & decision-making guidance
  • Application strategies
  • Career orientation during your studies
  • And much more …

Call the hotline to make an appointment!

Do you have questions about a specific degree program? If you do, feel free to contact the responsible academic advisory office.

The academic advisory offices are the best points of contact for the following topics:

  • Structure and content of the program of study
  • Planning your course schedule
  • Recognition of credits and examinations when changing subject or university
  • Examination process

Are you looking for information and advice from students in your (future) program of study?
Then get in touch with your student council!

They represent students’ interests and would be happy to hear from you!