German as a Foreign Language: Estudios interculturales de lengua, literatura y cultura alemanas MA

• Usually an academic degree in the subjects German as a foreign language, German, German language and literature, German studies, linguistics, foreign language pedagogy, literary studies or related subjects;
• Knowledge of German at C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;
• Students of partner universities who intend to complete a period of study at Leipzig University from a higher semester of study onwards, must prove their knowledge of German at C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages when commencing their studies at Leipzig University;
• Knowledge of Spanish at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (reading comprehension);
• Knowledge of Spanish at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (other skills);

The faculty will check whether the requirements have been met and then issue an official notification. This serves as proof that the candidate fulfils the admission requirements.

The programme commences in the winter semester. In the first and fourth semester you will study in Leipzig, and in the second and third in Mexico. You select a total of nine modules. The “Mexico Studies and Spanish” and internship modules are compulsory. In the modules, you cover three subject areas:

Linguistics

• Grammar and lexicon
• Test research and test development
• Teaching and learning pronunciation
• Linguistic discourse analysis
• Text linguistics and text type analysis
• Learning a foreign language
• Linguistics of German from a Spanish perspective

Cultural studies

• Cultural studies research
• Literature, culture, media
• Culture of German-speaking areas
• Intercultural studies: Mexico and the German-speaking countries
• Literary studies in an intercultural context
• Translation studies in an intercultural context

Didactics / methodology

• Develop and research lessons: Focus on writing
• Develop and research lessons: Focus on speaking
• Problems and development trends in German as a second language (DaZ)
• Lesson planning for German as a foreign language in a Latin American context

You also take part in interdisciplinary modules:

• Current development trends in the field of German as a foreign and second language I and II
• Internship module: five-week mandatory internship completed in the second or third semester at the Universidad de Guadalajara in an institution related to the field of study.

In the third semester, you will start your master’s thesis and finish it in the fourth semester. The master’s thesis is written in German.

• Binational degree programme: Integrated study stay abroad at the partner university (typically with a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for the stay abroad).
• Double degree: degree is recognised in Germany and Mexico.
• Identical programme structure at both locations.
• Supervised internship at renowned institutions of language teaching and cultural exchange in Mexico.
• High degree of individual freedom in designing your curriculum.
• Specialised colloquia and tutorials for support in writing the master’s thesis.

Graduates of the binational master’s programme have a double degree that is recognised in both Germany and Brazil.

The programme prepares you for science-based professional fields and conveys the subject-area expertise, skills and methods necessary for this. The focus of your studies equips you to work in many different professional fields, e.g., in the areas of

• research and teaching,
• education,
• diplomatic service,
• media and publishing,
• cultural management and cultural exchange,
• international organisations and
• foreign trade relations.

A special emphasis is placed on imparting knowledge and skills that prepare students for work in the field of academic and cultural exchange between the German and Spanish-speaking worlds.

• The master’s programme consists of two semesters of study at Leipzig University (first and fourth semester) as well as two semesters of study at the Universidad de Guadalajara (second and third semester). In addition to the mandatory internship, students at the Universidad de Guadalajara take the compulsory module “Mexico Studies and Spanish”. You are free to choose from the other modules on offer. This freedom of choice is restricted in the sense that all sub-areas of the subject (didactics/methodology, linguistics, cultural and literary studies) must be considered at some point during the master’s programme.
• The programme includes a five-week mandatory internship which must be completed in the second or third semester at an institution related to the field of study at the Universidad de Guadalajara.

• Study regulations (SO) and examination regulations (PO), curricula and module descriptions (in German)

Course start: Winter semester
Admission restriction (NCU): no
Application period: 2 May–31 May
Application portal: AlmaWeb

Please ensure that you read and take note of the further information provided on the pages “Online application” and “Applying for a master’s programme”.

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply on the page “International”.

Options in the winter semester: 3rd semester – without restrictions on admission
Options in the summer semester: 2nd semester and 4th semester – each without restrictions on admission
Application period: 2 May–15 September for the winter semester; 1 December–15 March for the summer semester
Application portal: AlmaWeb
Special enrolment requirements: credits form (Anrechnungsbescheid)

You can find more information on our page for “Applying for higher semesters of study”.

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply on the page “International”.

Two semesters of study at foreign partner universities

Award of a double degree with an international partner university