Master English Literature
The Master study program English Literature gives students room to explore English Literature in all its facets, from the Renaissance to the present, and across the entire anglophone world. The program also enables students to study other media such as film or TV shows.
It is possible take English Literature as a Major (90 ECTS) or as a Minor (30 ECTS). It cannot be combined with another study program in English Studies.
You should take English Literature as your Major if:
- your main interest is English (rather than the other study program);
- your other study program cannot be taken as a Major (see theUZH website for a list of Master Majors and Minors);
- you plan to do the teaching diploma (Lehrdiplom für Maturitätsschulen) and your other study program is not a teaching subject (see the Lehrdiplom website for a list of teaching subjects).
This program is available from the fall semester 2026. The application window opens on January 1st, 2026.
Requirements Major
The Master Major Program in English Literature consists of 90 ECTS credits. In order to complete the program, the program requirements must be fulfilled. (If you received additional requirements, these must also be completed before graduation.)
The program requirements are outlined in detail in the study regulations annexes (ASTO), which you can find onthe website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The information in the ASTO is legally binding. The information provided on this website is intended as a brief overview.
| Module Group | Modules |
|---|---|
| Methods and Theories in English Literature | Reading Literary and Critical Theory (6 ECTS) |
| English Linguistics | [no requirements] |
| English Literature | [no requirements] |
Research-oriented Specialisation: English Literature |
36 ECTS |
| Language Skills and Culture | Writing Skills for Research (6 ECTS) |
| Transferable Skills | [no requirements] |
| Other Curricular Modules | [no requirements] |
| (no module group) | Master's Thesis (30 ECTS) You can find more information on the MA thesis website. |
The remaining 12 ECTS credits may be chosen freely from within the program.
You can check your progress on the student portal. More information on this can be found on the information website of UZH.
Requirements Minor
The Master Minor Program in English Literature consists of 30 ECTS credits. In order to complete the program, the program requirements must be fulfilled. (If you received additional requirements, these must also be completed before graduation.)
The program requirements are outlined in detail in the study regulations annexes (ASTO), which you can find onthe website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The information in the ASTO is legally binding. The information provided on this website is intended as a brief overview.
| Module Group | Modules |
|---|---|
| Methods and Theories in English Literature | Reading Literary and Critical Theory (6 ECTS) |
| English Linguistics | [no requirements] |
| English Literature | [no requirements] |
Research-oriented Specialisation: English Literature |
9 ECTS |
| Language Skills and Culture | Writing Skills for Research (6 ECTS) |
The remaining 9 ECTS credits may be chosen freely from within the program.
You can check your progress on the student portal. More information on this can be found on the information website of UZH.
Module Catalogue Major
The module catalogue contains descriptions of the modules that are part of the English Literature Major. It also includes information on assessments, ECTS credits, etc.
The complete module catalogue (MK) can be found on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The information in the MK is legally binding. The information provided below intended as a brief overview over the modules most regularly offered.
The modules on offer in the current semester can always be found in the course catalogue (available end of March 2026).
| Module Group | Modules |
|---|---|
| Methods and Theories in English Literature | Reading Literary and Critical Theory (6 ECTS) |
| English Literature |
|
| Research-oriented Specialisation: English Literature | Seminars |
| Language Skills and Culture | Writing Skills for Research (6 ECTS) Language Skills for Teachers (6 ECTS)
|
| Transferable Skills |
|
| Other Curricular Modules |
|
(no module group)
|
Master's Thesis (30 ECTS) You can find more information on the MA thesis website. |
Module Catalogue Minor
The module catalogue contains descriptions of the modules that are part of the English Literature Minor. It also includes information on assessments, ECTS credits, etc.
The complete module catalogue (MK) can be found on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The information in the MK is legally binding. The information provided below intended as a brief overview over the modules most regularly offered.
The modules on offer in the current semester can always be found in the course catalogue (available end of March 2026).
| Module Group | Modules |
|---|---|
| Methods and Theories in English Literature | Reading Literary and Critical Theory (6 ECTS) |
| English Literature |
|
| Research-oriented Specialisation: English Literature | Seminars |
| Language Skills and Culture | Writing Skills for Research (6 ECTS) Language Skills for Teachers (6 ECTS)
|
Time Table
Students at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences have much flexiblity when it comes to putting together their time table. Those intending to complete the Master's degree within the standard period of study (i.e. within four semesters) should plan on completing 30 ECTS credits per semester (Major and Minor combined). 1 ECTS credit equals 30 hours of work.
Those who cannot or do not want to complete the Master's degree within the standard period of study may book fewer ECTS credits per semester; their studies will simply take longer.
The Master programs English Literature can be started in the fall or the spring semester.
We have prepared a sample curriculum for a full time study load. As the name suggests, this is one possiblity of organising your studies; however, some modules are consecutive, meaning you have to complete certain modules before you can move on to the subsequent modules. This information can be found in the course catalogue and the module catalogue.
The sample curriculum (MC) can be found on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science.
Modules to Book in the First Semester
In the first semester, you should give priority to the modules below. Book aditional modules as they fit into your time table.
- Reading Literary and Critical Theory (6 ECTS)
- Writing Skills for Research (6 ECTS)
These modules are so-called booking modules with even distribution. That means during the booking period all groups are filled to maximum capacity; once maximum capacity is reached in all groups, additional slots will open up. It might therefore be helpful to go back and see if additional slots haven openend up in case you were not able to book your preferred group.
Module Booking
- Students are responsible for booking their own modules. They can do so via the student portal.
- The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has prepared guidelines on module booking.
- The booking deadlines are listed on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
- The program for the current semester can always be found in the course catalogue (available end of March 2026).
Note: If you have successfuly completed a module, you cannot book it again. You can only be awarded ECTS credits for a module once.
Some notes on module booking at the English Department:
- If you are booking request modules (e.g. all seminars), request at least two more than you actually need, as there is no guarantee you will be assigned your chosen modules.
- Compulsory modules with more than one group (e.g. Writing Skills for Research or Reading Literary and Critical Theory) are booking modules with even distribution. That means during the booking all groups are filled to maximum capacity; once maximum capacity is reached in all groups, additional slots will open up. It might therefore be helpful to go back and see if additional slots haven opened up in case you were not able to book your preferred group.
- If you are not interested in a course within a module, e.g., you want to attend Group A but do not care for Group B, mark Group B as a low priority. If it is not marked at all, the system will interpret this as interest.
- Once the booking dealine has passed, modules can no longer be booked or cancelled, except for cases of force majeure. If this applies to you, contact the study advisor Dr. Olivia Tjon-A-Meeuw at englishstudies@es.uzh.ch. The booking deadline for individual modules can be found in the course catalogue (available end of March 2026).
If you cannot find the answers to your question on this site, try the Frequently Asked Questions subsite. If that does not help you, contact the study advisor Dr. Olivia Tjon-A-Meeuw at englishstudies@es.uzh.ch.
You can find important documents and guidelines on the Downloads site.