German Language and Literature

Degree programme objectives

The aim of this study programme is for students to acquire and develop language skills in German, and furthermore to introduce them to the basics of the scholarly philological reflection of language and literature in the broader context of history and culture.

The students will focus on the most topical disciplines of linguistics and literature and will acquire a broad overview of the history, culture, land and people of German-speaking countries.

Study plans

German language and literature

full-time, single-subject

German language and literature

full-time, major

German language and literature

full-time, minor

Admission Procedures
Admission to Bachelor's and long-cycle Master's degree programmes in 2025/2026
Submission deadline until midnight 28/2/2025

Information on entrance examinations designed for this degree programme
The criteria for admission for studies are the results of the Learning Potential Test (TSP). Applicants may also be admitted based on other criteria, see Admission without the Entrance Examination. The Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University disregards the results of SCIO National Comparative Examinations.

You can file your e-applications for studies from 1 November to 28 February.
The date and time of the examination will be stated in the electronic invitation for the examination, which will be uploaded to your e-application. The faculty will not be sending paper invitations. Applicants applying for the major study plan and minor study plan in a combined study must comply with the conditions for admission into both plans.
Learning Potential Test (TSP)

This test is only in Czech. For up-to-date information, click here

Field of Study Examination

For admission for studies of this degree programme, you do not need to take the Field of Study Examination.
Admission without the entrance examination
You may be exempt from the entrance examination based on language exam certificate DSD II, Goethe-Zertifikat B2, ÖSD-Zertifikat B2, DSH, telc B2 or TestDaF (level 3–5), (or higher).
Recommended reading for the examinations under this field
- Bok/Pfeiferová: Čítanka německých literárních textů (úryvky textů s otázkami)
- Dreyer/Schmitt: Lehr- und Übungsbuch der deutschen Grammatik (klasika praktické gramatiky)
- Jin: Grammatik aktiv B1+. Training für Fortgeschrittene zur Wiederholung der Grundgrammatik (moderní praktická gramatika němčiny jako cizího jazyka)
- Kern/Rainer/Rainer: Stichwort Literatur (Fulltext online na webu nakladatelství, klikněte na “Blick ins Produkt”) (rakouská středoškolská učebnice dějin literatury)
- Kosatík: Menší knížka o německých spisovatelích z Čech a Moravy (základní přehled o německé literatuře z českých zemí)
- Müller/Vollrath/Krieger: Dějiny Německa (Originál: Deutsche Geschichte in Schlaglichtern)
- Stromšík: Od Grimmelshausena k Dürrenmattovi (předmluvy k českým vydáním hvězd německé literatury)
- Veber: Dějiny Rakouska
Evaluation criteria valid for the applicants applying for a place on this degree programme
Limit for TSP percentile for successfully passing the entrance examination: 35

Studies

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Objectives
The aim of this study programme is for students to acquire and develop language skills in German, and furthermore to introduce them to the basics of the scholarly philological reflection of language and literature in the broader context of history and culture.
The students will focus on the most topical disciplines of linguistics and literature and will acquire a broad overview of the history, culture, land and people of German-speaking countries.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:
- use languzage competence in German at C1 level of the reference framework
- perform receptive and productive tasks based on texts in German and Czech
- enter professions that demand independent and critical thinking as well as cultivated diction in the mother tongue and fluency in German
- communicate and work with texts in German in individual fields of professional experience
- analyse literature text written in German
- perform a basic linguistic analysis of a German text with focus on morphology and syntax and syntax
- use the acquired language competence and the knowledge of social, political, and cultural situations in German-speaking countries in various working positions with relevance for these areas
Occupational Profiles of Graduates
Graduates with this degree are qualified for language-oriented jobs in companies and institutions, in publishing houses and various branches of the media, in archives, libraries, museums, theatres, travel agencies etc.
Practical Training
Practical training is not an obligatory part of the study plan. Selected project-oriented type B/selective courses offer opportunities for the students to develop skills in the practical usage of the theoretical knowledge and develop further praxis-related skills.
Goals of Theses
The bachelor's thesis is a concise written presentation of a given topic, based on a systematic evaluation of secondary literature and other specified sources. It is not required to be based on original research, it may be based on published literature (specific requirements are to be formulated by the supervisor). Students demonstrate the ability to perform basic research tasks on specified topics, critically process information, and independently present the acquired knowledge in a cultivated language form and with due respect to the conventions of the scholarly work (including bibliography, form and style requirements) .
The minimum extent of the bachelor's thesis is 60 000 characters (including footnotes and bibliography; the treatment of the annexes is decided individually by the supervisor).
Access to Further Studies
After completion of the Bachelor’s studies, it is possible to continue further studies in the Master’s degree programmes (philology, teaching for secondary schools, German translation).