European Joint Master's Programme in English and American Studies University of Bamberg

Full partners:
Autonomous University in Barcelona, University of Graz, Ca'Foscari University Venice, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Université de Paris

Associated partners:
University of Pécs, City College of the City University New York

Courses are held in English.

The two-year, English-taught Master's degree "European Joint Master's Programme in English and American Studies" is aimed at highly motivated students with a background in English and American Studies (BA or equivalent) and a strong record of academic success. It offers specialised academic training focusing on the three core topics of literature, linguistics, and cultural studies. The universities in the consortium (Bamberg, Barcelona, Graz, Krakow, Paris, and Venice) work together to guarantee a high-quality international curriculum with regional aspects.

Among the applicants, 60 students per year will be selected to start the programme at the entrance university of their choice and spend a compulsory semester abroad (30 ECTS credits) at any one of the other partner institutions within the consortium and at our associate partners, the City College of the City University of New York and the University of Pécs. While the entire programme is English-taught, courses in the national languages of the partner universities form a strong incentive for students to learn at least one other European language in the course of their studies.

This Master's programme is also available as an exclusive Bamberg MA programme, i.e. without DSH certificate and taught in English. Instead of a compulsory mobility semester within the consortium, this Bamberg programme offers exchange opportunities organised by the Bamberg International Office. For more information about the "MA English and American Studies", please see: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/ma-eas/.

The programme can be studied part-time with the exception of the mandatory mobility semester abroad.

Early April of each year

The programme comprises of 120 ECTS credits, which corresponds to a period of study of at least four semesters or two years. 60 ECTS credits have to be earned at the home university. ECTS credits are allocated as follows:

• Compulsory subjects (total 40 ECTS):
  • Module English Linguistics (10 ECTS)
  • Module English and American Literary Studies (10 ECTS)
  • Module British and American Cultural Studies (10 ECTS)
  • Module English Language Proficiency (10 ECTS)
• Restricted electives (total 38 ECTS) - can be chosen from the following focus areas:
  • Focus on Linguistics
  • Focus on Literary Studies
  • Focus on Cultural Studies
• Free electives (12 ECTS)
  • Modules from other subjects or from English and American Studies
  • Internship (6 ECTS, optional)
• Thesis and defence (30 ECTS)
  • Thesis (26 ECTS)
  • Defence (4 ECTS)

TOTAL (120 ECTS)
The 10 credit modules usually consist of a seminar worth 8 ECTS plus a lecture or tutorial worth 2 ECTS. Course content varies from one semester to the next. Students combine classes according to their fields of interest and set up individual schedules for each semester.

Part-time study is possible with the exception of the semester spent at the partner university.

Every academic year, the consortium offers an interdisciplinary online lecture series for MA students of all partner universities. Each year, a student conference is organised at one of the partner institutions where students can test their academic skills in front of an international audience. Students can earn credits at the Graz International Summer School Seggau.

The European Joint Master's Programme comprises one mandatory mobility semester at one of the partner universities. Students will receive Erasmus funding for the duration of the mobility period.

An optional internship of a total of 180 working hours can be completed either during the semester break or over the course of a semester, e.g. in a part-time arrangement. The internship must be closely linked with one of the core areas of study (cultural studies, literature, or linguistics). Students can take up their internship either in Germany or abroad, for example, in museums, libraries, archives, research institutions, publishing houses, media enterprises, political institutions, foundations, public relations companies, church, and tourist institutions. At the end of their internship, students hand in a short report on their work experience.

No tuition fees

Students whose home institution is Bamberg must pay a regular contribution for the administrative costs at the university (118.60 EUR per semester at present). There are no additional tuition fees during the student's stay at the host institution. A "Semesterticket" for public transport in the city of Bamberg is included (more information here).

Bamberg is still one of the cheaper student cities. In 2021, the average rent was 410 EUR per month (source: 22nd Social Survey of the German Studierendenwerk). Since then, rents and, above all, energy and heating costs have risen sharply, so the cost of an apartment is likely to be higher.

Admission to this Master's programme is granted to persons who have completed at least the equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in English and/or American Studies. English language proficiency must be proven through a language certificate (details below). For the full list of recognised language certificates as well as application documents, please access: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/ma-jpeas/applying-to-bamberg/.

The following minimum scores are required in the most commonly available English language exams:

• TOEFL: minimum of 600 (paper test) or 250 (computer test) or 98 (online test); (valid only for two years!)
• IELTS: minimum of 7.0 (valid only for two years!)
• Cambridge CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) grades C, B, A
• Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) PASS
• Michigan ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English): "pass"
• Trinity ISE 3 (Integrated Skills in English): "pass"
• Pearson PTE Academic: minimum of 76

Moodle, MS Teams, Zoom

Early April of each year

No

If not stated otherwise, consortium partners have no facilities to help students secure a job and students should not rely on getting a job when budgeting for their stay.

• Bamberg/Germany: EU students can take a job while studying in Bamberg. Non-EU students may either work full-time for 120 days or part-time for 240 days per year without needing a work permit.
• Graz/Austria, Venice/Italy, Paris/France, Krakow/Poland: in principle, students can take a job. However, regulations can make finding a job quite difficult.

Bamberg's housing market has changed considerably in recent years. The demand for private accommodations is quite high, and rent prices continue to increase. The common trend seen in many cities, and particularly in university cities, is now quite apparent in Bamberg, too.

It is thus advisable to begin looking for a flat as early as possible and to be patient, as the process can take quite a while. It also pays to check listings in the local newspaper (Fränkischer Tag), submit an announcement that you are looking for accommodation, or explore the numerous online housing portals.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/living-in-bamberg/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/studium/im-studium/career-days/

• Welcome Center for International MA Students: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/welcome-master/
• Furthermore, see: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/ma-eas/basis-bamberg-support-for-international-ma-eas-students/

Since the founding of the University of Bamberg in 1647, it is the people who have been its top priority. The close proximity of students and instructors provides for excellent advisory services, personal communication and interdisciplinary studies.

The University of Bamberg, with about 11,000 students, is among Germany's medium-sized universities. The university currently offers roughly 100 programmes at the Bachelor's and Master's level.

The university’s main areas of academic focus lie in the humanities, social sciences, economics, business administration and human sciences. These are rounded out by numerous programmes in application-oriented computer science. The premises of the four faculties are concentrated in three main locations that are easily reached by bicycle or via the local network of bus routes.

One of the University of Bamberg's main strengths is its commitment to a focus on international studies. The university’s International Office maintains exchange programmes with approximately 350 universities in nearly 60 countries worldwide.

There are currently about 1,900 foreign students from 100 countries enrolled at the University of Bamberg. The range of courses offered at the university reflects this focus on international studies. Degree programmes in fields like international business administration and management, European economic studies, or the joint Master’s degree in English and American Studies all require that students spend up to one year studying abroad. Furthermore, international students receive a great deal of support outside the classroom.

In order to help visiting students from around the globe become better integrated and acquainted with daily life, the International Office organises a tandem programme that brings together local and foreign students.

The university's international guests also have the opportunity to participate in an extensive programme of excursions and events meant to present a broader experience of life in Germany, even beyond the city of Bamberg. An international "Stammtisch" provides students with the opportunity to socialise and share experiences.

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/study/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/

Located in Northern Bavaria, it is easy to travel to and from Bamberg using many different means of transport. For those travelling by car, the city can be reached from all directions via the A70 and A73 motorways. Bamberg's railway station is also a stop on the ICE line between Munich and Berlin, which means that both cities can be reached in about two and a half hours without changing trains. Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, is approximately 45 minutes away by train, and its international airport provides flights to destinations worldwide.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/mobility/