Description

Building on the bachelor's degree, the master's degree in French language and culture teaches in-depth competencies in the scientific analysis of the language, literature and culture of France and the francophone countries. After graduation, students enter a variety of professions, from academic careers to a wide range of other areas (culture, media, publishing houses, international companies, etc.).

Subject combinations

The subject "French Language and Culture" can be combined with all other subjects in the joint master's degree programme at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Students may choose one of the following subjects:

• Anglophone Studies
• Christian Studies
• Teaching German as a Foreign Language
• German Literature and Culture
• History
• Intercultural History *
• Communication Science
• Literature and Media Practice *
• Dutch Language and Culture
• Philosophy
• Spanish Language and Culture

* Studying „French Language and Culture“ in combination with „Intercultural History“ or „Literature and Media Practice“ is only possible full-time. All other subjects can be studied part-time as well as full-time.

Curriculum

The course consists of four modules with the following content:

Language practice D

• Oral (C1+)
• Ecrit (C1+)

Linguistics III

• Advanced seminar in French linguistics
• Lecture in French linguistics

Literary Studies III

• Advanced seminar in French literature
• Lecture in French literature

Self-study module

• Classic works of literature

Research module

• Advanced seminar in French linguistics
• Advanced seminar in French literature
• Research colloquium in linguistics or literature

Students may choose from either linguistics or literary studies for the research colloquium.

Examinations/ECTS credits

A total of 120 ECTS credits are to be acquired in the joint Master's programme of the Faculty of Humanities. These are divided as follows:

• 45 ECTS credits for each of the two subjects chosen
• 30 ECTS credits for the dissertation

The final exam is comprised of coursework and several smaller exams in the chosen modules, plus the dissertation. The dissertation is to be written in one of the two subjects. Students have 23 weeks in which to complete their dissertation.

Admission Requirements

B.A. "French Language and Culture" or equivalent, with an overall grade of 2.5 or better.

Prospective students with an externally acquired degree must contact the relevant department advisers before enrolling.

Admission

There are no additional admission requirements or restrictions except those mentioned above. Enrolment takes place during the official enrolment period, using the university’s enrolment system on-campus in Essen. Enrolment in master's programmes is possible until the end of the lecture period.

When combined with a subject at one of the other universities of the Universitätsallianz Ruhr, students are registered as “Zweithörer” at the second university. There is no additional tuition fee in this case!

Prospective students from non-EU countries should apply by September 15th at the International Office in Essen.

Standard Period of Study

4 semesters

Students may also study part-time. In this case, the standard period of study is 6 semesters.

Language Requirements

The language of instruction at the University of Duisburg-Essen is German (except for the English-language courses). You need to have good German language skills if you want to study successfully. Most foreign applicants are required to pass the "German language test for university admission" (DSH level 2; with a few exceptions) before starting their course.

• So-called “Bildungsinländer” (persons who have acquired their higher education entrance qualification in Germany or at a German school abroad) do not need any special proof of German language skills.

• Citizens of an EU member state (and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or German nationals with a foreign educational qualification

and

• Citizens of a non-EU state with a foreign university entrance qualification must pass the "German Language Test for University Entrance" (DSH level 2) or the TestDaF (TDN 4) before starting their course.

Further Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to follow courses and lectures taught in French. The successful completion of a relevant bachelor's degree provides proof of appropriate language skills. Students whose mother tongue is not French must demonstrate French language skills corresponding to a completed level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) before starting their studies. The final decision to recognize equivalent qualifications to those mentioned in sentence 3 rests with the examination board.

Study Abroad

A semester studying abroad in a French-speaking country is strongly recommended.

If  "Dutch Language and Culture" has been chosen as the second subject, the third semester will be spent at Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen.