German, Master's, 2 years

What do you learn? 

With a Master’s degree in German, you can make information from German-speaking cultures visible, and make the culture more accessible to a Norwegian audience. You can also promote communication between Norway and German-speaking countries. 

On the Master’s programme in German, you will gain thorough insights into key topics within German linguistics and German-language literature, and you will further develop your language skills in modern German, both orally and in writing. You will develop your ability to reflect critically on central problems in theories and methods. 

You will use the second year of the programme to write the Master’s thesis (60 ECTS). You will receive individual guidance throughout the entire research and writing process. 

The Master’s thesis is an independent scientific research project on a topic of your choice from one of the disciplines in the programme: 

• Literature 

• Culture 

• Linguistics 

• Subject didactics 

Student life 

As a student, you will spend a lot of time in the HF building, the main building of the Faculty of Humanities. Here, you will work side-by-side with other Master’s students and can apply for your own reading room space. 

During a normal week, you will usually attend two to three lectures and spend the rest of the time on self-study, alone or together with other students. This varies from semester to semester. A couple of times during the semester, students and staff meet for a joint lunch, often with small presentations and activities.  

As a student with us, you will have most of your teaching at Nygårdshøyden in the heart of Bergen city centre. You will have access to the reading room, library, colloquium room, fitness centre, canteen, café and student bar on campus. At UiB you will also find many different student organisations. Being part of a student organisation is a valuable investment of time as a student and it gives you many experiences and friends for life. 

What can you work as? 

A Master’s degree in German qualifies you for jobs in both the private and public sector. 

Our former students work with 

• Teaching - both abroad and in Norway 

• Translation 

• Media 

• Tourism and service industries 

• Export industry 

• Public administration, for example in municipalities and the state 

• Research 

You gain the ability to handle communication problems, overcome cultural differences and take an analytical approach to information. 

Admission requirements and application deadline 

Follow these links to find the general entry requirements and guidelines on how to apply:

• Citizens from outside the European Union/EEA/EFTA (4 January)
• Citizens from within the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 March)
• Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (15 April)

You will also have to meet the programme specific entry requirements.

All applicants with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA must pay tuition fees. 

Study structure 

The programme covers two academic years (four semesters) and starts in the autumn. 

Semester 1 

• German language and literature (15 ECTS) 

• Selected topics in German Linguistics (15 ECTS) 

or 

• Selected topic in German-language literary studies (15 ECTS) 

Semester 2 

• Contemporary German language and literature (SAK) (15 ECTS) 

• Literature, interpretation and translation (15 ECTS) 

Semesters 3 and 4 

• German Master’s thesis 

The Master’s thesis is an independent research project. You choose a topic from the subject areas of literature, culture, linguistics or subject didactics (which can also be included in the programme, especially if you plan to train as a teacher). You can choose from a number of different research topics. If you want to write about a topic you are particularly interested in, but which differs from the traditional research topics, it will usually be approved. You plan and develop the project in collaboration with your supervisor. 

See an overview of all subjects 

Exchange 

You can choose to spend your second semester as an exchange student at one of our partner universities in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. An exchange stay gives you valuable cultural experience, linguistic training, new professional insights and experiences for life. 

Further study opportunities 

With a Master’s in German, you can apply for PhD positions. Read more about PhD programmes at the Faculty of Humanities here . 

After you have obtained a Master’s degree, you can apply for admission to Practical Pedagogical Education (PPU) . German is a school subject, and with this qualification you can work as a teacher at secondary school and high school levels.  

Questions about the course? 

Telephone: +47 55 58 93 70 

E-mail: Studierettleiar@hf.uib.no 

Study plan 

Read the entire study plan