Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

English Studies

Degree

Combined bachelor, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - The course is offered with and without teacher training. Please refer to the ‘Bachelor’s and master’s courses at HU’ FAQ, and if applicable ‘Teacher training at HU’.

Standard time for completing course

6 semesters

Start of study

see https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/studies/counselling/course-catalogue/Standardseite?set_language=en; with or without numerus clausus

Combinations and Course structure

English studies can be studied as:

Core subject without teacher training option: 120 CP*, with a second subject to be selected (not possible with American Studies)
Second subject without teacher training option: 60 CP, with a bachelor’s core subject (not available with the core subjects American Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Core subject with teacher training option: 113 CP, with a second subject to be selected
Second subject with teacher training option: 67 CP, with a bachelor’s core subject (not available with the core subjects Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

*One credit point (CP) equals a workload of 25 - 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.

Special entry requirements: Language skills

Evidence of the English language skills required (level B2) should be submitted in one of the following four formats:

  1. School certificates: Performance level averaging at least 5 points over the last four semesters of the university admission qualification (Abitur) (qualification stage) on the English advanced course or 
  2. Cambridge First Certificate in English (B-C) or 
  3. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Certificate (min. 5.0) or 
  4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, www.ets.org/toefl/): internet-based test with min. 87 points, paper-based test with min. 560 points or
  5. UNIcert® II-Zertifikat: 3,0.

Information on German language skills for prospective students from abroad: www.hu-berlin.de/de/studium/bewerbung/formulare/engl-assist.pdf

Study programme abroad

Study abroad periods are highly recommended, and you can enter into a learning agreement with your department before you leave.

Why study English at HU?

The course combines and integrates the disciplines of American Studies with English Literature and Cultural Studies as well as Linguistics. It also prepares you for your future career. The subject gives students an overview of the essential, current developments in the associated sub-disciplines, drawing on the specific academic expertise and special fields of competence of the teaching staff. The students are taught by highly-motivated lecturers at an institute that can trace its roots back to the oldest university English department in Germany, which also had a pioneering role in American Studies.

What special abilities and interests do you need for this subject?

  • Solid proficiency in the English and German languages (oral and written)
  • An interest in language and texts and the basic ability to analyse them
  • A particular interest in engaging with other cultures/literatures and in inter-cultural exchange
  • Enjoyment of reading widely and engaging with linguistic and cultural forms, including in student projects

Content of studies

The best place to find information about course content is the annotated university calendar. It is online at hu-berlin.de/vorlesungsverzeichnis. You’ll find module descriptions, the course curriculum and other details in the course and examination regulations, available at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 81/2014, 1. amendment no. 89/2015, 2. amendment no. 06/2017. The Course Advisory Service is also available to help you (see below).

English without teacher training option

English as a core subject (120 CP)

Mandatory modules (78 CP)
Module 01: Introduction to Linguistics, 5 CP
Module 02: Introduction to Literature, 7 CP
Module 03: Introduction to Culture, 7 CP
Module 04: Literary History, 10 CP
Module 05: Linguistics, History and Variation of English, 6 CP
Module 06: Linguistics, Grammar, 7 CP
Module 07: Advanced Language Studies, 8 CP
Module 09: Practice module, 10 CP
Module 10: Research Methodology and Research Skills, 8 CP
Module 16: Bachelor's thesis, 10 CP

Mandatory elective modules (22 CP)
One module should be selected from each of the following areas:
Linguistics
Module 11: Focus Module Linguistics I, Cognitive Linguistics, 11 CP
Module 12: Focus Module Linguistics II, Language in Context, 11 CP
Literature Studies
Module 13: Focus Module English Literature and Culture, 11 CP
Module 14: Focus Module American Literature and Culture, 11 CP

General elective modules (20 CP)

In addition to specialised study, Students acquire subject-specific, non-specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications of 20 CP. The general elective modules can be chosen from the module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions (see: http://agnes.hu-berlin.de/).

English as a secondary subject without teacher training option (60 CP)

Mandatory modules (60 CP)

Modules 1-7  in the same way as in the core subject, in total 50 CP

Module 08: In-depth module, 7 CP

English with teacher training option

English as a core subject with 113 CP

Mandatory modules (68 CP)
Module 01: Introduction to Linguistics, 5 CP
Module 02: Introduction to Literature, 7 CP
Module 03: Introduction to Culture, 7 CP
Module 04: Literary History, 10 CP
Module 05: Linguistics, History and Variation of English, 6 CP
Module 06: Linguistics, Grammar, 7 CP
Module 07: Advanced Language Studies, 8 CP
Module 10: Research Methodology and Research Skills, 8 CP
Module 16: Bachelor's thesis, 10 CP

Mandatory elective modules (22 CP)
One module should be selected from each of the following areas:
Linguistics
Module 11: Focus Module Linguistics I, Cognitive Linguistics, 11 CP
Module 12: Focus Module Linguistics II, Language in Context, 11 CP
Literature Studies
Module 13: Focus Module English Literature and Culture, 11 CP
Module 14: Focus Module American Literature and Culture, 11 CP

Teacher Training (23 CP)

In addition to specialised study, students on a bachelor’s with teacher training will complete the Educational Sciences teacher training module (13 CP) and the ‘German as a Second Language’ module (3 CP) as well as the 'Didactics of English' module (7 CP).

English as a Second Subject with 67 CP

Mandatory modules (60 CP)

Modules 1-7 in the same way as in the core subject, in total 50 CP

Module 08: In-depth module, 7 CP

Teacher Training (7 CP)

Module 15: Didactics of English, 7 CP

General elective course offerings for Students coming from other courses of studies

Module 17: Introduction to English Literatures and Cultures, 5 CP

Master’s degrees

You can apply to HU for a master’s course such as English Literatures, American Studies, European Literatures or German as a Foreign Language, plus Linguistics and German Literature. Information on master’s courses can be found in the ‘Course catalogue’.

Important addresses

Department of English and American Studies: Dorotheenstr. 28, www.angl.hu-berlin.de/, Tel. +49 30 2093-70900
Course Advisory Service and Classification and recognition of studies and qualifications: Dr. Smith, Tel. +49 30 2093-2229, studienfachberatung.ba-englisch(at)hu-berlin.de, room 3.01F
Service for teacher training students: http://studium.hu-berlin.de/lust/lehrer, Tel. +49 30 2093-70813, lehrerbildung@rz.hu-berlin.de
Applications: How to apply, Information for prospective international students

Links to job market: careers information centre, Hochschulteam calendar of events

Version: November 2023

Back to Course catalogue


Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page: studienberatung@uv.hu-berlin.de

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