study literature in germany

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Tuition fees

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Language requirements, program features.

List of Universities

2530 Study programs

Study Language and Literary Studies in Germany: 53 Universities with 148 English Degree Programs

All important info for international students in germany (2023/2024).

Master programs in Language and Literary Studies offered in English at German universities often intersect with Area Studies and focus on regions such as the anglophone world, and African and Asian countries. Furthermore, courses informed by Comparative Studies or in International Linguistics and Communication deal with the role of language in a globalized world. Studying these issues in a cosmopolitan classroom environment granted by the international programs at German universities, allows for an exchange with students of other cultural backgrounds with diverse language skills. Furthermore, Master’s programs in Language and Literary Studies often include language courses and stays abroad, which make it possible to experience multilingualism first hand.

There also is a broad choice of programs dealing with contemporary demands of translating human language to virtual spheres of life and communicating and translating in transnational businesses and cultures. For experimental research of these topics, German universities grant access to up-to date language laboratories.

The Study Finder gives you an overview of all your options to study Language and Literary Studies in Germany.

Study Programs in English

Universities

Universities in International Rankings

€ 0 (138 programs for EU citizens, 109 programs for Non-EU citizens)

€ 11,050 per semester (1 program for EU citizens/Non-EU)

Winter Semester

between March 15 and February 15

Summer Semester

between March 15 and October 18

Top-ranked German Universities in Language and Literary Studies

public University

No. of Students: approx. 51,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 28,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 1,500 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 36,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 3,500 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 38,000 students

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Tuition Fees

3 english degree programs for language and literary studies in germany.

Heidelberg University Heidelberg

Communication and society in ibero-america.

ifs international film school cologne / TH Köln - Cologne University of Applied Sciences Cologne

Digital narratives.

University of Göttingen Göttingen

Modern indian studies.

Application Deadlines

Winter Semester 2023/2024

Summer Semester 2023

Winter Semester 2024/2025

Application Requirements

When you apply to a Master’s program in Language and Literary Studies at a German university, you will need an academic degree in a related discipline. Many programs accept applicants from diverse Social Sciences and Humanities, as long as a certain amount of credits relevant to the respective Master’s degree have been gained throughout the first degree. For more specific programs, knowledge of Computational Linguistics, Statistics, Area Studies or Translation may be required. Usually, application tests or interviews are not part of the admission process, students must simply submit required documents. In addition to standard certificates (e.g. first degree certificate, a transcript of records, a language certificate), a CV and a letter of motivation are typically required. Excellent English-language skills - usually on a B2-C1 level - are usually a prerequisite for admission, in some cases other relevant language skills have to be demonstrated with a language certificate.

Application Modes

B1 Preliminary (PET) (1 program )

8 (2 programs )

115 (1 program )

C2 Proficiency (CPE) (36 programs )

2-12 semesters

→ View all programs with online courses

Bachelor of Education

Bachelor of Science

Winter intake

Summer intake

Winter & Summer intake

List of all German Universities offering English-taught Study Programs in Language and Literary Studies

Bard College Berlin

Program Fees: € 11,050 - € 15,750

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)

Bielefeld University

Program Fees: € 0

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Brand University of Applied Sciences

Program Fees: € 5,340 - € 6,840

Chemnitz University of Technology

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Program Fees: € 0 - € 4,500

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5 Universities to Study German Literature in Germany

Last updated on 06 mar 2023, 9971 views.

by Mia Angeline

If you read our article on learning the German language , you may already know that

German is one of the ten most spoken languages in the world.

To have access to the vast German literature, there is no better way other than studying in the country itself . German is known for its top-notch education , with 80 Nobel laureates in physics, medicine, literature , and other areas.

In general, German studies focus on questions such as how does the German language evolve? Or how can medieval and modern German literature be analyzed within the specific cultural context? Graduates from this degree can work in the cultural sector, publishing or press trade, and in commerce .

For those of you who have a dream to become a master of German language and literature, we are here to help you. We have a list of 5 German universities to study German language and literature .

1. Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University was founded in 1386 , which makes it the oldest university in Germany . Heidelberg University sees itself as a research university, with more than 30,000 students and 5,000 staff.

The university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s Program in German Language and Literature . Students are expected to learn the historical development of German language, society, culture as well as their theoretical principles. However, on application, students are required to show proficiency in two modern foreign languages apart from German (Latin is preferred).

For more information about studying in Heidelberg University , click here.

2. mannheim university.

Mannheim University is located in the baroque palace of Mannheim. The university offers Bachelor’s Program in German Studies: Languages, Literature, and Media under the School of Humanities.

The school of Humanities has an excellent reputation , with a learning environment that facilitates teaching and students research. The program itself combines the study of the German language with media studies and cultural studies.

This combination can open up a lot of options upon graduation, such as working in areas such as publishing, public relations, or media.

For more information about studying in mannheim university , click here..

Find the list of universities in Germany, here .

3. Ludwig-Maximilians Universität Munich (LMU Munich)

LMU Munich was founded in 1472 and since then has attracted scholars from all over the world. As the name suggests, the university is located in the vibrant city of Munich.

LMU Munich has its own Faculty of Languages and Literatures, offering both Bachelor and Master’s programme. The faculty also has the Center for Language and Literature Studies, which works closely with the government and private sector on joint projects of linguistics. The faculty is also the largest faculty in terms of student number at LMU Munich. For international students, they have German as a foreign language to prepare you for a rich experience in local society.

For more information about studying in Ludwig-Maximilians Universität Munich , click here.

4. ruhr university – bochum (rub).

Located in Ruhr, a metropolitan area in the center of Europe, RUB is home for around 36,000 students and 5,000 staff. RUB offers German Studies program for Bachelor or Master’s degree.

Students taking this program will immerse themselves into all aspects of German language and literature. Include learning the evolution of German language, contemporary German literature studies, and analyzing medieval literature within their specific cultural context.

For more information about studying in Ruhr University – Bochum , click here.

Find the list of scholarships available to study in Europe , here !

5. Kiel University (Christian Albrechts Universität zu Kiel)

Founded in 1665 , Kiel University is the largest and best-known university in the city of Kiel , Germany. Currently hosted around 27,000 students and 3,000 staff , also seven Nobel prize winners have worked in Kiel University.

Kiel itself is a beautiful and modern city near the Danish border . German Language and Literature is under the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, which is available for Bachelor and Master’s degree. They also have many institutions that help international students easily adjust to everyday life. International students can also ask for German tutors to help them with the language.

For more information about studying in Kiel University , click here.

So, what are you waiting for if franz kafka, friedrich schiller, or johann wolfgang von goethe are right up in your alley, then you need to really consider studying german literature in germany..

For further information about Studying in Europe, click here .

57 Top Literature Study Programs in Germany for 2023

There are 57 study programs available at 40 universities in Germany , according to data provided by Erudera.com.

Why should you study in Germany?

Germany is one of the world's top study destinations for international students and definitely a higher education paradise. In Germany, you will find countless prestigious and top-ranked universities for , hundreds of specialized study programs to choose from, degrees that are valued globally, and affordable studies. Not to mention, Germany is a country with a unique culture, dynamic lifestyle, and many interesting places to explore during your studies here.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

University of Saarland

University of Freiburg

Free University of Berlin

University of Mannheim

University of Konstanz

Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences

University of Regensburg

Justus Liebig University Giessen

University of Bonn

Goethe University Frankfurt

Master degree

Frankfurt am Main

Applied Literary Studies - Contemporary Literature

Culture - Interculturality - Literature: English/American Language and Literature\; German Studies\; Scandinavian Studies\; Slavic Studies

University of Greifswald

Euromasters for French and Francophone Studies

Humboldt University of Berlin

European Communication Cultures, French

University of Augsburg

European Literatures and Cultures

General and Comparative Literary Studies

Ruhr University Bochum

University of Wuppertal

General and Comparative Literature

Saarbruecken

German Literature

University of Tuebingen

University of Stuttgart

International Literature

Literary Studies

Bielefeld University

Literary Studies, German

Literary studies: Literature, culture, media (complementary subject, core / complementary subject)

University of Siegen

Literary studies: Literature, culture, media (core subject, core / complementary subject)

Literary Studies: Texts.Signs.Media

University of Erfurt

Literature - Art - Culture

University of Jena

Literature and Cultural Theory

Literature and language, early german.

Literature and Linguistics

RWTH Aachen University

Literature and Media

University of Bayreuth

1 (current)

Related fields of diciplines

Related fields of study levels.

Top 10 German Universities to Study German Language and Literature

best german language and literature universities

Which other country would be more suitable to study German Language and Literature than Germany? The country of poets and thinkers, as Germany is referred to hosts ages of traditional Universities that provide an excellent syllabus into mastering this beautiful and rich language. For the students who are heading in this direction, into becoming a true master of the German language, native or foreigner, Zeit Online came up with certain criteria based on what students are mostly looking for in a German Language University unraveling the tight list of top 10 Universities that accomplish each and every one of them in flying colors. Languages are a complex field where literature is one obscure domain highly difficult to elaborate. According to Zeit Onlines predetermined criteria as follows, I was able to find the 10 best Universities to study German language and literature in Germany.

As the predetermined criteria are all based in student judgments, alumni judgments, professor judgments and facts, when it comes to research, syllabus, the teacher expertise and mentoring or practice based interventions the following Universities reach the top ten list.

Mannheim University

The University of Mannheim is well known for its distinct profile, its business orientation and its international approach. Various rankings, awards and evaluations classify the University of Mannheim as one of the leading universities in Germany. Mannheim’s renowned Economics and Social Sciences Programs are closely intertwined with Humanities, Law, Mathematics and Computer Sciences. The University of Mannheim is mainly located in Mannheim Palace, the largest baroque palace in Germany. Since the fall semester 2011, the University of Mannheim and the University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada) jointly offer the consecutive M.A. ‘Intercultural German Studies’. Students study one year in Germany and one year in Canada and earn a joint degree of both universities. The program offers a broad interdisciplinary framework for German language and literature studies.

Augsburg University

The University of Augsburg campus is one of the most congenial places to study in Germany. Situated near the city centre of Augsburg, the campus is spacious without being overwhelming. The modern buildings, functional and yet architecturally appealing, blend into a landscaped park with grassy areas, a lake, fountains and several sculptures by contemporary artists. The University of Augsburg was founded in 1970. It is one of the new, modern universities in Bavaria, and with approximately 15,000 students it is of a manageable size. The University of Augsburg provides the ideal conditions for completing a degree program successfully and within a reasonable time frame. Ever since it was founded, the University has been committed to reform and innovation. Seven faculties have been established, each with long-term strategies for development and using the most up-to-date facilities available.

Ruhr University – Bochum

Located in the midst of the dynamic, hospitable metropolitan area of the Ruhr, in the heart of Europe, the Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB) with its 20 faculties, RUB’s disciplinary institutional units, is home to 5,000 employees and over 36,500 students from 130 countries. All the great scientific disciplines are united on one compact campus. The RUB is on its way to becoming one of the leading European universities of the 21st Century. Almost all courses are offered as Bachelor and Master Degree programs.

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Be one step ahead with a globally recognised college in Germany!

Heidelberg University

Founded in 1386, it is the oldest university in Germany and was the third university established in the Holy Roman Empire. Heidelberg has been a coeducational institution since 1899. Today the university consists of twelve faculties and offers degree programs at undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels in some 100 disciplines. International students from some 130 countries account for more than 20 percent of the entire student body. The University Library is the main library of the university, and constitutes together with the decentralized libraries of the faculties and institutes, the integral university library system comprising approximately 6.7 million printed books.

Kassel University

The University is a technical college, educational entity, and research institution. An Either-Or has been imposed between these three possibilities. Within the ‘concept of the university’, however, these purposes constitute an inseparable unity. These purposes may not be separated from each other without both destroying the spiritual substance of the university and becoming stunted themselves. All three purposes are elements of a living whole. “The University Kassel, with its 17,000 students, 2,200 employees, its 18 departments, its institutes and its academic centers, offers academic programs with various admission and degree opportunities like Bachelor and Masters. The Hessen International Summer University (ISU) has become an internationally oriented

As a genuine “universitas” LMU Munich has the unique opportunity and a deep obligation to deal with the ever more complex questions facing humankind, society, culture, the environment and technology by creating interdisciplinary solutions. In terms of student numbers, the Faculty of Languages and Literatures is the largest faculty at LMU Munich. Conducting quality research at international level, the three departments and a number of interdisciplinary working groups offer a range of languages, literatures, and cultures that is unique in Germany, covering both living and historical languages. Research- and practice-oriented subjects, such as German as a foreign language, book studies, and media didactics, strategically prepare students for a broad and rich professional life in a society in which cross-cultural communication skills are among the most important qualifications.

Osnabruck University

The specific profile of the School of Language and Literary Studies is shaped by the combination of comprehensive Language and Literary Studies with classical Latin philology and by the modern languages of English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. One of the joint elements of teaching that define its profile is Teacher Education and the participation of all departments in the polyvalent Dual Major Bachelor’s Degree and Teacher Education degree programs. The departments are committed to the University’s core objective of promoting research-based Teacher Education, which they see as a task to be tackled throughout the University by all departments. This commitment is illustrated not only by the projects realized in the departments, but above all by their involvement in the Center for Teacher Education (German), which aims to ensure a fair balance between scientific disciplines and didactics. Outside the University, the School has numerous relationships with facilities within the City of Osnabrück and the rural district. For example, members of the School’s teaching staff play an active role in teacher education and training; projects are carried out with many local schools in which pupils and teachers are introduced to and involved in university life and the departments of the School of Language and Literary Studies.

Kiel University

Students will take the degree at Christian Albrechts University in Kiel. Kiel is a modern city on a beautiful inlet of the Baltic Sea, near the Danish border. Berlin, Amsterdam, or Copenhagen are within easy distance, and an overnight boat trip takes you to Oslo. Many water sports are available, including sailing and windsurfing. The curriculum includes language and culture courses from beginning to advanced levels at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany. They are taught by experienced German language teachers and native speakers from the Kiel/Hamburg area. Students may also take advantage of the German tutors (usually students at the University in Kiel), who engage program participants in various extracurricular activities such as cooking, sports, going out and attending events around the city. The Intensive German Language program will run in conjunction with the International Studies Kiel program that fulfills International Studies major requirements. Interested students will have the option to take courses from both programs.

RWTH Aachen

With its 260 institutes in nine faculties, RWTH Aachen is among the leading European scientific and research institutions. 37917 students in 126 courses of study are registered for the winter semester of 2012/13, including almost 5000 international students from more than 120 countries. Teaching at RWTH Aachen is first and foremost application-oriented. Its graduates are therefore sought-after as junior executives and leaders in business and industry.

Siegen University

The University of Siegen library currently primarily offers stock of relevance to the subjects taught at the university. In addition to print media, the range of digital resources is continually being expanded. Maintaining stock at 4 different sites means that the respective departments are guaranteed direct access the information relevant to their specialisation and topic. Any literature not held can be acquired via the interlibrary loan system. Key skills relating to targeted information searches are taught within the scope of a range of training courses.

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Postgraduate Courses in Literature in Germany - 5 Courses

Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg Department of English

English Literatures and Literary Theory

Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg Philological Faculty

European Literatures and Cultures

University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Department of English and Amercan Studies

North American Studies: Culture and Literature

Freie Universität Berlin Department of Philosophy and Humanities

English Studies: Literature - Language - Culture

Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster Department of English

National and Transnational Studies: Literature, Culture, Language

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COMMENTS

Best Study Programs in Literature at Universities in Germany
Here are the best Germany universities for Literature :.
Best 37 Literature Master's Degrees in Germany 2023
You can also read more about Literature degrees in general, or about studying in Germany. Many universities and colleges in Germany offer English-taught
List of 53 Language and Literary Studies Universities in Germany 🏛️
Top-ranked German Universities in Language and Literary Studies ; #32 · LMU - Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München · Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
5 Universities to Study German Literature in Germany
5 Universities to Study German Literature in Germany · 1. Heidelberg University · 2. Mannheim University · 3. Ludwig-Maximilians Universität Munich (LMU Munich) · 4
Best 6 Literature Bachelor's Degrees in Germany 2023
6 Literature Bachelor's in Germany ; B.Sc. Religious Studies · Heidelberg University. Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany ; Pre-Bachelor. Freshman Programme.
Study "English Literature and Culture" in Germany
Master of Arts. Master Degree · 4 semesters. Standard period of study (amount) · Mainz. Location · September 2023 (Germans and inhabitants). September 2023 (EU)
57 Top Literature Study Programs in Germany for 2023
In Germany, you will find countless prestigious and top-ranked universities for Literature, hundreds of specialized Literature study programs to choose from
Top 10 German Universities to Study German Language and
Top 10 German Universities to Study German Language and Literature · Mannheim University · Augsburg University · Ruhr University – Bochum · Heidelberg University.
Postgraduate Courses in Literature in Germany
Postgraduate Courses in Literature in Germany - 5 Courses · Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg · Department of English · Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg
Which are the best universities to study Literature in Germany?
Ruhr-University Bochum · Heidelberg University · Kassel University · Kiel University · University of Mannheim. · RWTH Aachen(Top Ranked) · LMU Munich · University of