Anglistik, Amerikanistik (grundständig)

The Studium (university studies) takes place at universities. Learning locations at the university include lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, language labs, and libraries. At home, activities involve preparing for and reviewing courses, completing assignments; and potentially participating in online courses.

Study Type: Undergraduate (grundständig) Studium (university studies). Study Options: University. Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Standard Study Period: 3-4 years. The undergraduate (grundständig) Studium in English Studies, American Studies provides fundamental scientific knowledge in English language, literature, and culture. This subject can partially be combined with other subjects. English Studies, American Studies is also available as a teaching degree (Lehramtsstudiengang). Possible undergraduate (grundständig) degree programs include: English/North American Studies, Anglophone Studies, Current English Linguistics and Literary Studies (English Studies), English Linguistics, English (Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures), Culture and Economy (English Studies/American Studies). Admission requirements for universities and equivalent higher education institutions: general or, if applicable, subject-specific university entrance qualification (Hochschulreife); potentially passing an internal university selection procedure; potentially proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL test) and, if applicable, proficiency in another foreign language.

Standard study duration: 6-8 semesters. Average actual study duration: 8 semesters. Source: Federal Statistical Office, Statistical Report - Statistics of Examinations at German Higher Education Institutions - Examination Year 2024.

Study costs include enrollment and administrative fees, as well as semester contributions (e.g., for the student services organization (Studierendenwerk), student union, semester ticket). Potentially, tuition fees for 'long-term students,' for a second Studium (university studies), or after exhausting a set study credit. Expenses for learning materials and study needs, such as specialized literature and excursions. Contributions for student health insurance (typically when exceeding the age limit of 25 years or certain income thresholds). Funding opportunities information: German Student Services Organization (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) - Financing Options. Federal Law on Individual Education Promotion (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG) as amended by the announcement of 07.12.2010 (BGBl. I S. 1952), last amended by Article 11 Para. 1 of the law of 16.04.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I No. 107).

Modules, for example: American Social and Cultural Studies, American Studies, Applied Linguistics, British Social and Cultural Studies, English Language and Culture, English Language Training, English Literatures and Cultures, Literature, Culture and Media in American Society, Paradigms of American Literature and Culture, Professional Skills. Practical study content: Potentially internships (e.g., in research institutions).

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: Courses: Attending lectures and seminars in the university's lecture halls and seminar rooms during the semester; potentially participating in online courses from home. Practical exercises: For example, conducting phonetics exercises in language labs. Independent work: Preparing for and reviewing courses, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, completing assignments (also during the lecture-free period). Organization: Independently planning the Studium (university studies) within the given study structure, adhering to submission deadlines and study periods, and submitting study and examination achievements on time (self-discipline and organizational talent required). Career preparation: Potentially completing internships (e.g., at research institutions), preparing for career entry.

Students can complete parts of their Studium (university studies) abroad, for example: In France, a binational undergraduate (grundständig) German-French degree program 'American Studies.' Higher education institutions: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Université de Bourgogne (Dijon). Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.); Licence. Further information: University of Mainz, German-French American Studies Program.

The following subjects can be alternatives for the English Studies, American Studies (undergraduate - grundständig) subject: Area of Language and Literature Studies: General and Comparative Literature (undergraduate - grundständig), General and Comparative Linguistics (undergraduate - grundständig), German Studies (Germanistik) (undergraduate - grundständig), Interpreting (undergraduate - grundständig), Translation (undergraduate - grundständig), Computational Linguistics (undergraduate - grundständig), Regional Studies - Europe (undergraduate - grundständig), Digital Humanities/Computational Philology (undergraduate - grundständig), Regional Studies - North America (undergraduate - grundständig). Commonalities: Working with language; applying linguistic, literary-historical, and literary-theoretical methods. Acquiring knowledge about language and literature, as well as culture, history, philosophy, political and social institutions, and educational systems.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for a successful Studium (university studies): English: e.g., language, literature, and country knowledge. German: e.g., for writing academic papers. History: e.g., the historical development of English-speaking countries.

Additional and key qualifications facilitate a successful career start. The following topics, for example, are relevant: intercultural competence, rhetoric, information processing. Internships, for instance at research institutions at home and abroad, specifically prepare for professional life. Opportunities to acquire additional and key qualifications can be found at the Career Centers of higher education institutions (see contact details of the respective institution): Higher Education Institutions in Germany - Hochschulkompass's University Search.

The undergraduate (grundständig) study program Anglistics and Americanistics provides fundamental scientific knowledge in English language, literature, and culture. It leads to a first university degree. This subject can sometimes be combined with other fields. Anglistics and Americanistics is also available as a teacher training program (Lehramtsstudiengang).

Examples: American, British and Canadian Studies (Bachelor), Anglistik/Nordamerikanistik (Bachelor), Anglophone Studies (Bachelor), Current English Linguistics and Literary Studies (Anglistik) (Bachelor), Englische Sprachwissenschaft (Bachelor), English (Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures) (Bachelor), Kultur und Wirtschaft (Anglistik/Amerikanistik) (Bachelor).

Depending on the university, Anglistics and Americanistics can be combined with one of the following subjects: Educational Science (undergraduate), German Studies (undergraduate), History (undergraduate), Early Childhood Education (undergraduate), Art History (undergraduate), Near and Middle Eastern Studies (undergraduate), Sociology (undergraduate), Theatre Studies (undergraduate).

For Bachelor graduates in Anglistics and Americanistics, various fields of activity are available in the private sector, such as editing, journalism, proofreading/lecturing, or adult education.

End of the 18th century: Established as a scientific discipline, focusing on the analysis of classical works. Beginning of the 20th century: Content expanded to include modern literature, other text genres, communication-theoretical, and linguistic-sociological studies. Mid-20th century: American Studies emerged from English Studies, focusing on linguistic topics, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the American region. 1999: The Bologna Process began, reforming the European higher education landscape with goals including: creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing study programs and degrees (introduction of Bachelor's and Master's programs), and improving the mobility of students and lecturers.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).

The following vocational training (Ausbildung) professions can be alternatives for this field of study: Foreign Languages Sector: State-certified interpreter (Ausbildung), Foreign language correspondent, Wholesale and foreign trade management specialist (foreign trade), Commercial assistant/Economic assistant - Foreign languages, Business translator, State-certified translator (Ausbildung). Commonalities: Foreign language skills, foreign language communication, working with foreign language texts. Searching via professional fields may open up further alternatives. For more information on perspectives after dropping out of studies: "Studienabbruch - und dann?" and studienwahl.de.

No remuneration is received during the study program. Payment can be arranged for practical phases (internships).

Specialization is possible depending on the university and study program, for example: English Literature and Culture, North American Literature and Culture.

Federal level: Higher Education Framework Act (HRG) as amended on 19.01.1999 (BGBl. I S. 18), last amended by Article 1 of the Act of 15.11.2019 (BGBl. I S. 1622). Joint structural guidelines of the states according to § 9 Paragraph 2 HRG for the accreditation of Bachelor's and Master's study programs (Resolution of the KMK of 10.10.2003 as amended on 04.02.2010). Qualification Framework for German Higher Education Degrees (developed in cooperation with the German Rectors' Conference, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, and in coordination with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and adopted by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs on 16.02.2017). State level: Higher education laws in conjunction with administrative regulations, e.g., on the accreditation of study programs. Qualification or higher education entrance regulations. University level: University statutes, study and examination regulations for the study programs in the respective field.

The prerequisite for Studium (undergraduate studies) at universities and equivalent higher education institutions is the general or, if applicable, subject-specific Hochschulreife (university entrance qualification), or a certificate recognized as equivalent by the competent authority of the Bundesland (federal state) (e.g., Kultusministerium (Ministry of Education)). Information on Studium (undergraduate studies) without a school-based university entrance qualification for professionally qualified individuals: Access to higher education varies across the individual Bundesländer (federal states). Depending on the university, an internal university selection process may take place. English language proficiency, for example through IELTS or TOEFL tests, and potentially another foreign language or Latin, must be demonstrated.

Bachelor graduates in English Studies and American Studies can continue their Studium (studies) in an advanced subject, such as English Studies, American Studies, or Regional Studies - North America, thereby expanding their professional and career opportunities. Possible advanced study programs include: General and Comparative Literary Studies, General and Comparative Linguistics, English Studies, American Studies, Computational Linguistics, Digital Humanities/Computational Philology, Foreign Language Didactics, Regional Studies - Europe, Regional Studies - North America.