German Literature

Study information

Three students in a seminar room with tablets

Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
Three students in a seminar room with tablets
This page has been machine translated.

Key facts

Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Supplement to degree
minor in a multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
60
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 333,05
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Institute of German Literature de

Application & Deadlines

Programme content

The study of German literature, its foundations, characteristic manifestations and history provides basic knowledge of German culture and the ability to critically analyse and shape processes of linguistic, especially aesthetic communication in the various subject areas of social, especially cultural life. The degree programme comprises the two academic branches of Modern German Literature and Age German Literature (Medieval Studies). You will acquire an overview of basic knowledge of German literature from the Middle Ages to the present day as well as in-depth knowledge of individual epochs, genres, authors and cultural-historical problem areas on the basis of exemplary text reading and self-employed individuals|freelancers. At the same time, students are introduced to the methodology of literary studies and practise scientific methods, the presentation of the functions of literature in cultural life and practices of linguistic knowledge transfer.

Structure

Multi-subject bachelor’s programme

Picture: Sophie Bartholome

The Bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study|regular programme length is six semesters in total, during which various forms of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or tutorials) are offered for the individual modules.

A multi-subject Bachelor's degree consists of a major subject with 120 credit points (abbreviation: LP / 1 LP = 30 hours of attendance, preparation and follow-up work|follow-up activity, learning and assessed coursework and examinations) and a supplementary subject with 60 LP.

Why study in Jena?

The rich cultural tender of the city of Jena also invites you to make discoveries outside the seminar rooms. Literary and cultural Centres such as Weimar, Leipzig and Halle are between twenty minutes and an hour by train from Jena. But German Studies is also part of the cityscape in Jena: Goethe used to go in and out of Frommann's House, the home of the Institute of German Literature, and Schiller's Garden House and the Romantikerhaus are just ten minutes away. Passing the new main building of the Thuringian University and State Library and the Botanical Gardens, it takes just a few minutes to get from the Institute of Literature to the Institute of German Linguistics.

What can you do after your studies?

Career opportunities:

Depending on the major subject chosen, the Bachelor's degree with German Literature as a supplementary subject qualifies students for professions in which cultural, communicative and linguistic skills are central, e.g. media, advertising, literary publicity, editing, cultural management, public relations, journalism, adult education, literary and cultural work and theatre.

Postgraduate master’s programmes at our University

All degree programmes

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

  • good verbal expression
  • communicative competence
  • Sensitivity for processes of linguistic interaction and aesthetic communication

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Language requirements

    two modern foreign languages or one modern foreign language and Latin; proof by the time of registration for the Bachelor's thesis at the latest

Additional application documents for international students

  • CV

    Please submit an up-to-date and complete CV in tabular form. Please provide full details regarding your schooling and academic education to date. You can find more information hereExternal link. 

  • University entrance qualification certificate

    Please upload the school certificate confirming your university entrance qualification to our application portal. You can find more information hereExternal link. 

  • University degree certificate / previous periods of study

    Please upload transcripts of records for all previous periods of study and degrees, as well as, if applicable, your degree certificate, to the portal.

  • Proof of German proficiency

    Proof of sufficient German proficiency must be provided for all German-language degree programmes. The following certificates are recognized as proof of proficiency by Friedrich Schiller University Jena:

    • German Language Test for Admission to Higher Education, at least level 2 (DSH-2)
    • Goethe Certificate, C2 (GDS)
    • German Language Diploma, Level II of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (DSD II)
    • TestDaF, at least TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination
    • Telc German C1 University certificate (at least with the grade “satisfactory”)
    • German exam as part of the assessment test at a Studienkolleg

    Please note: We strongly recommend that you submit the required proof of German proficiency at the time of your application.

    If you do not yet have the required language certificate, you may apply for our DSH course starting from German level B1. This course ensures optimal language preparation and also gives you the opportunity to get to know Jena while benefiting from student status.

  • Translation of international application documents

    A translation into German or English must be submitted for every application document that was not originally issued in German or English. These translations must be prepared by an authorized translation office.

  • APS certificate

    Applicants with university degrees from India, Vietnam, or the People’s Republic of China must submit an APS certificate.

  • University entrance examination

    Applicants from the following countries must provide proof of their university entrance examination:

    • Iran (university entrance examination or proof of a foundation year if the school-leaving certificate was obtained before 2019)
    • Republic of Korea/South Korea (Scholastic Ability Test)
    • China (GaoKao)

Contacts

Academic Advisory Service - Dr. Alexander Löck

Room E 030
Fürstengraben 18
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Link to download vCard
vCard

Opening hours:
während der Vorlesungszeit: Fr 12:00-13:00 Uhr

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena

Support & Help
To Service-Desk
Link to download vCard
vCard
Further link
More information

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

Student Council for German Studies

Fürstengraben 18
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Link to download vCard
vCard

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Support & Help
To Service-Desk
Mobile phone
+49 3641 9-411111
Link to download vCard
vCard

Office hours:
You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Support & Help
To Service-Desk
Link to download vCard
vCard
Further link
More information

Opening hours:
ON 27 AND 28 AUGUST, THE INFORMATION DESK WILL BE CLOSED!!

Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Link to download vCard
vCard