Master's in Literature (BiRoLi) Bielefeld University

The double degree Master's programme in Literature in Bielefeld is a programme in cooperation with the Sapienza University in Rome.

Most courses in Bielefeld and Rome will be held in German. Further languages may be included within the Master's programme depending on the student's specific course choices. At least one other philology is required.

The double degree Master's programme in Literature is aimed towards those students enrolled or planning to enrol either at Bielefeld University or Sapienza University, who are required to spend one semester of the two-year programme at the partner institution.

We therefore encourage anyone interested in an intercultural experience who is willing to apply himself or herself to an interdisciplinary international field of study and anyone who is enthusiastic about German literature as well as Italian and German to hand in an application.

The double degree Master's in Literature

The Master's in Literature in Bielefeld combines general and comparative literary studies. It focusses on literary theory, hermeneutics, aesthetics and poetics as well as intercultural and intermedial aspects of literature. In cooperation with the Sapienza, students will have the opportunity to study in an intercultural field with versatile perspectives on the field of studying literature and literature itself.

What is a double degree?

To enrol in a double degree means to acquire a degree at two universities with only one major. Bielefeld University and La Sapienza University have merged their two majors, Literaturwissenschaft and Scienze linguistiche, letterarie e della traduzione, respectively, so that students have the chance to acquire conclusive, functional as well as scientific knowledge, methods and expertise in the field of literary studies.

The general deadline for the Master's application is 15 July for the following winter semester and 15 January for the following summer semester.

Internal applications for the double degree programme can be submitted until 1 September of each year via biroli@uni-bielefeld.de.

The duration of the programme is four semesters. The first and fourth semesters will be completed at the home institution. The second and/or third semester will be spent at the partner institution. Usually, students spend the second winter semester of the programme in Rome.

Find further information on the study programme and organisation of the double degree on our homepage.

The first two semesters in Bielefeld aim to provide the foundation of the study programme. Students will participate in an advanced introduction to general as well as comparative literary studies and also obtain knowledge and competences in historical as well as systematic aspects of studying literature. They will also choose to study one module in a chosen philology (German, British, American or Romance Literature). The third semester is spent abroad at Sapienza University, where students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of literary and interdisciplinary courses. However, it is possible to extend your studies for one year. Students then can spend the second and third semesters in Rome. The last semester is spent completing the Master's thesis and colloquium.

No tuition fees

Since Bielefeld University does not charge tuition fees, every student only has to pay a social fee. The social fee includes the contribution to the social ticket for free public transport in the city and area of Bielefeld and on regional trains and buses in North-Rhine Westphalia for the whole semester.

The current semester contribution is approximately 300 EUR.

Costs for studying in Germany are relatively high due to the living expenses.

• Rent in a room in student halls of residence or a private student hall, in a room or flat comes to approx. 280 EUR per month.
• The expected costs for student health insurance and other medical fees are about 120 EUR per month.
• Depending on your lifestyle, you might spend about 150 EUR on food each month.
• Altogether, monthly costs for food, clothes, leisure activities, social fees, travel expenses, telephone bills, and the other mentioned expenses add up to approx. 850 EUR.

There are several ways of cutting expenses in Bielefeld. For example, it is possible to rent a room in a student residence for about 250 EUR, and a meal at the student canteen (Mensa) costs only about 3 EUR.

Students who want to apply for the double degree programme must be enrolled in the Master’s programme of either university. You may find further information on the enrolment process at Bielefeld University here: https://ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de/sinfo/publ/master-as/literaturwissenschaft.

For the application, you need:

• a BA in literature or a neighbouring subject (e.g. English, German, French, Italian or Cultural Studies)
• proof of language competence (details see below)

You need to hand in your written application via the university's online platform. The application includes your diploma or a transcript of your studies, proof of competence in two foreign languages (usually fulfilled after four years of school study) and a letter of motivation, where you detail your personal incentive for applying, which needs to be additionally sent to biroli@uni-bielefeld.de.

Italian and German (B2) and one other foreign language

Native speakers are not required to provide proof of language competence.

The general deadline for the Master's application is 15 July for the following winter semester and 15 January for the following summer semester.

Internal applications for the double degree programme can be submitted until 1 September of each year via biroli@uni-bielefeld.de.

No

Basically, with your residence permit (stamp in your passport), you will receive a work permit for 120 work days per year. This allows you to work 120 full days (eight hours per day) or 240 half days (up to four hours per day). This condition must be noted expressly in the passport by the authorities.

Please try to secure accommodation in Bielefeld as early as possible. In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices. Students residences are run by the public "Studierendenwerk" or private organisations, and shared flats are very common.

Offers of accommodation can be found online by following the links below:

• Studierendenwerk Bielefeld (dormitories)
• WG-gesucht.de (private shared accommodation)

The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.

Career planning is a step-by-step development and clarification process that requires individual strategies. Based on a strengths- and resource-oriented approach, we support you in developing your own career prospects.

Depending on your needs, our Career Service at Bielefeld University will accompany you throughout the entire process or in individual steps.

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/themen/career-service

At PunktUm, our German Learning Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of academic support programmes that are designed to meet the needs of international members of the Bielefeld University. These include the Academic Mentoring Programme for Master's students, the Peer Mentoring Programme for Bachelor's students, and semester-long workshops designed to help all students and researchers with academic writing. We also offer individual consultations on academic writing in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) or German as a Second Language (DaZ).

The International Office provides an orientation programme for all international members of Bielefeld University, including degree seekers (BA and MA), double degree students, Erasmus/cooperation students, doctoral students, scholars, interns, and refugees/preparing applicants. Example of activities include Café International, campus tour, introductions to digital services and administrative procedures.