Master: Prerequisites & How to Apply

Disclaimer: The applicable legal regulations can be found in the framework ordinance (Rahmenverordnung) and the program regulation (Studienordnung) for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The information below is for illustrative purposes only and should be regarded as a recommendation. In case of any contradictions between this document and the legal regulations or between the German version and a translation, only the legal regulations or the German version, respectively, have legal bearing.

Regarding admission to the UZH Master program in English Literature and/or Linguistics (Major or Minor), there are two different cases:

1. candidates holding a Bachelor degree in English Literature and/or Linguistics (or a degree in General Linguistics, or in Comparative Literature)
2. candidates with a different Bachelor degree

The admission requirements for each of these two cases are outlined below. Candidates who do not meet these admission requirements will either be given additional requirements ("Auflagen"), or their application will be rejected.

Note: Candidates without a Bachelor degree cannot be admitted.

Candidates holding a Bachelor degree in English Linguistics and/or Literature (or in General Linguistics, or in Comparative Literature) from an accredited research university recognized by UZH, then they will usually be admitted to the UZH Master programs in English, either with or without additional requirements.

To be admitted without additional requirements, candidates must have completed courses that cover the skills acquired in the following modules:

• Literature

English Literature: Textual Analysis (9 ECTS)

Literature in Context: History and Theory (6 ECTS)

+ experience writing literary critical essays (6 ECTS)

• Linguistics

Introduction to English Linguistics (9 ECTS)

History of the English Language 1: Focus on Old English (6 ECTS)

History of the English Language 2: Focus on Middle English (6 ECTS)

• Language Skills (English C1)

Language Skills and Culture: Introduction (12 ECTS)

Writing Skills and Media Analysis (6 ECTS)

If candidates are missing any of the skills taught in the modules listed above, they will be required to complete the corresponding modules as additional requirements (i.e. in addition to the requirements of the Master program, they will also have to complete these modules - ideally right at the beginning of their studies).

Note: Candidates may also receive additional requirements for their other study program (e.g. if English is the Major, they may also receive additional requirements for their Minor). The overall number of additional requirements must not exceed 60 ECTS. Applications with more than 60 ECTS in additional requirements will be rejected.

Candidates holding a Bachelor degree in a field other than English Literature and/or Linguistics are not guaranteed admission to the program.

However, they may be admitted if, among other things, they fulfill all or most of the requirements outlined below:

• Literature

English Literature: Textual Analysis (9 ECTS)

Literature in Context: History and Theory (6 ECTS)

+ experience writing literary critical essays (6 ECTS)

• Linguistics

Introduction to English Linguistics (9 ECTS)

History of the English Language 1: Focus on Old English (6 ECTS)

History of the English Language 2: Focus on Middle English (6 ECTS)

• Language Skills (English C1)

Language Skills and Culture: Introduction (12 ECTS)

Writing Skills and Media Analysis (6 ECTS)

If candidates fulfill most but not all of the skills taught in the modules listed above, they will be required to complete the corresponding modules as additional requirements (i.e. in addition to the requirements of the Master program, they will also have to complete these modules - ideally right at the beginning of their studies).

Note: Candidates may also receive additional requirements for their other study program (e.g. if English is the Major, they may also receive additional requirements for their Minor). The overall number of additional requirements must not exceed 60 ECTS. Applications with more than 60 ECTS in additional requirements will be rejected.

The application process is outlined on the UZH Application and Admission page.

The English Department is not involved in the admission process for Bachelor students. Queries should be directed:

• for candidates with Swiss qualifications: to the Student Administration Office;
• for candidates with non-Swiss qualifications: to the Admissions Office.