TransRomania Studies: Romance Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MA), Option for Double Degree University of Göttingen

Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (for double degree option in French and Francophone Studies)

Courses are held in Romance languages (60%) and German (40%).

Double degree option: Courses are held in French (75%) and German (25%)
Participants can choose to write their Master's theses in either language.

The programme focuses on literary and cultural studies and linguistics of the Romance languages.

Within the programme, the following areas can be chosen:

• French and Francophone Studies
• Italian Studies
• Spanish and Hispanic American Studies
• Portuguese and Brazilian Studies
• Literary Studies (concerning two Romance languages)
• Linguistics (concerning two Romance languages)

The focus of the part of the programme that addresses linguistics is concentrated on variety linguistics, language contact research, cognitive semantics, and linguistic history. The subdisciplines of literary science deal with Romance literature from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, literary gender studies, the theory of literary historiography and comparative literature. There are also courses of minor Romance languages such as Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Sardinian. The programme can also include an internship.

This degree programme can be studied in three different profiles.

• Core subject studies totalling 78 credits ("Mono-master")
• Core subject studies totalling 42 credits in combination with one module package (subsidiary subject) totalling 36 credits
• Core subject studies totalling 42 credits in combination with two module packages (subsidiary subjects) totalling 18 credits each

For the TransRomania double degree Master's programme, the profile has to be the "Mono-master" and the main subject area has to be French and Francophone Studies. The degree programme leads to the award of a double degree: the Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour awards a "Master Arts, Lettres, Langues et Civilisations, Parcours Poétiques et Histoire littéraire", and the University of Göttingen awards a "Master of Arts TransRomania Studies – French and Francophone Studies".

The programme focuses on French and Francophone literary and cultural studies and linguistics. The focus of the part of the programme that addresses linguistics is concentrated on variety linguistics, language contact research, cognitive semantics, and linguistic history. The subdisciplines of literary science deal with French and Francophone literatures from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, literary gender studies, the theory of literary historiography and comparative literature.

An application for TransRomania Studies: Romance Languages, Literatures and Cultures for national and international applicants is continuously possible.

Admission/rejection letters will be sent as soon as possible.

The programme comprises four semesters. If the subject area focuses on a single Romance language, there are two obligatory modules in linguistics (Romance languages: language structure, variation, and change) and literature (Romance literatures: constants and dynamics). If the subject area focuses on linguistics or literature, there are two obligatory modules for both languages. Two modules include an independent study unit.

The elective modules comprise regional studies, other Romance languages such as Romanian or Catalan, Romance gender studies, communication and media studies as well as further Romance disciplines and language courses for academic and professional purposes.

Towards the end of the programme, the students attend research colloquiums in either of their subject areas. In the Master's thesis, they apply the acquired subject-related, methodological and theoretical competencies by investigating on a linguistic or literary topic.

The double degree programme with the Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour comprises four semesters, two of which are spent at the partner university. The German students spend the first academic year at the Université de Pau, and the French students spend the second academic year at the University of Göttingen.

At the Université de Pau, the contents of the programme include French language courses as well as courses on literature, visual arts, regional studies, investigation methods, comparative literature and professional training. At the University of Göttingen, there are two obligatory modules in linguistics and literature, and there are elective modules in French regional studies, other Romance languages such as Romanian or Catalan, Romance gender studies, communication and media studies as well as further Romance disciplines such as Italian, Portuguese or Spanish Studies.

In the double degree options, two of the four semesters are spent at the partner university. The German students spend the first academic year at the Université de Pau, the French students spend the second academic year at the University of Göttingen.

An optional internship can be included in the Master's degree by choosing the "Language, Culture, Media: Application and Transmission" module (12 ECTS) at the University of Göttingen.

No tuition fees

The fees are around 400 EUR per semester. This usually includes a prepaid semester ticket which entitles students to use regional trains in Germany free of charge, as well as buses.

The average cost of living in Göttingen is modest compared to other major university cities in Germany. Currently, expenses for accommodation, food, health insurance and books are about 850 EUR per month. Please note that fees for health insurance may vary according to age.

University of Göttingen students receive discounts or free entry to many cultural events in the city. Meals are available at reduced prices at university canteens.

BA degree in a Romance Philology or a related subject (at least 150 ECTS at the time of application) including at least 50 ECTS in a Romance programme, and at least 6 ECTS in literary studies and 6 ECTS in linguistics

• Language competency at level C1 for subject areas including French and Spanish
• Language competency at level B2 for subject areas including Italian and Portuguese
• German: DSH 1 certificate (not for double degree)

An application for TransRomania Studies: Romance Languages, Literatures and Cultures for national and international applicants is continuously possible.

Admission/rejection letters will be sent as soon as possible.

Germany scholarship: Deutschlandstipendium
Lower Saxony Scholarship: Niedersachsenstipendium

The university supports students in finding part-time jobs in local industries and businesses. A number of student jobs are also available at the university. They are announced on the following website: www.stellenwerk-goettingen.de.

Please note that restrictions may apply with your scholarship or visa. Non-EU students are subject to special regulations.

Some proficiency in German may be indispensable to find a job. Non-EU students are permitted to work a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year.

The Accommodation Service of the International Office supports international students who are enrolled at the University of Göttingen in finding accommodation and serves as a point of contact for related queries. The Accommodation Service also publishes suitable offers from private landlords in Göttingen and collaborates with the Student Services ("Studierendenwerk"). As the number of available accommodation options in Göttingen is limited, it is highly recommended to contact the Accommodation Service as early as possible.

The Career Service of the university offers individual support for starting a career. Especially for international students aiming to kick-start their career in Germany, the Career Service provides topic-specific workshops, online learning modules, and a qualification programme.

The project "Start Guides" also offers assistance for developing and realising individual career perspectives in Germany.

If you are interested in the topic of founding a company, start-up support is offered! The university supports you with advice, funding, qualification formats, and network contacts: Start-up support.

The International Office provides a wide range of services for international students.

German students help newly arrived students to adapt to the university and the city during their first weeks.

An orientation week for new international students provides valuable information about Göttingen and the university.

Study Buddy Programme: Part of the project Integration and Diversity at Göttingen University (InDiGU)

Foyer International: Meetings and activities for all students  

German courses during studies (free of charge)