Master: Planning One's First Semester

Within the Master program in English Literature and/or Linguistics, students can choose to follow one of three basic tracks:

1. English Literature and Linguistics
2. English Linguistics only
3. English Literature only

Note:

• These three tracks are recommendations only. There are various ways in which one can fulfill the basic requirements, and these are outlined in the Studienordnung. However, we strongly recommend that you follow one of the three tracks, as this will ensure (a) that you meet all the requirements and (b) that your curriculum is internally coherent.
• The degree title will always be "English Literature / Linguistics," irrespective of the recommended track that students pursue (i.e. the three tracks are subsumed within the same overall program).

Below, you can find the core modules that we recommend for first-semester students who have not been given any additional requirements ('Auflagen') upon application.

If you have been given additional requirements, then you may want to contact englishstudies@es.uzh.ch for further advice. (Generally speaking, we recommend that you complete the additional requirements in each field first. For example, if you have additional requirements in Linguistics, then try to complete these before doing the core Master-level module in Linguistics.)

• Writing Skills and Popular Culture (6 ECTS)
• Methods and Theories in English Linguistics (6 ECTS)
• Reading Literary and Critical Theory (6 ECTS)

Note: Full-time students ought to be able to do c. 30 ECTS per semester (both Major and Minor combined). If you work part-time, the workload per semester will have to be reduced accordingly (e.g. 15 ECTS if you work 50%).

Full-time students are strongly recommended to book all the core modules for their track in the first semester, irrespective of whether English Literature and/or Linguistics is the Master Major or Master Minor. They should also be able to book most, if not all, the core modules from their other study program.

Part-time students may want to opt for one of the following two strategies:

1. first, add all core modules from your Major; then add the core modules from your Minor, until you have either reached the ECTS workload that seems feasible; any remaining core modules should be taken in the second semester. (Writing Skills and Popular Culture should be taken in one's first semester, if at all possible.)
2. pick one of the core modules from the Major, then one from the Minor, then another from the Major, and so on, until you have reached the ECTS workload that seems feasible; any remaining core modules should be taken in the second semester. (Writing Skills and Popular Culture should be taken in one's first semester, if at all possible.)

Note: Please also consult the sample timetables for the Major and Minor in the section for advanced atudents, as well as the FAQ section. If you cannot find the answer to your questions there, then contact englishstudies@es.uzh.ch.

To find out which remaining modules you may wish to take, consult the program requirements in the section for Advanced Students.

For more information on how to book modules, including booking and cancelation deadlines, you can consult the UZH Module Booking page as well as English Department's Module Booking subsection.

We strongly recommend that you read the "Stay Abroad" section for Master students in your very first semester, to ensure that you are informed about all available options as early as possible.