Structure, Curriculum and Degree

Information on the structure of bachelor's degree programme with multiple subjects

With English and American Studies as the major subject, you study four foundations modules: in Literary Studies, Linguistics, Cultural Studies and Language Practice, which gives you 30 ECTS points. For the advanced modules, you choose two out of three subjects (Literary Studies, Linguistics, Cultural Studies), and in addition Language Practice. From the two chosen subjects you pick one for your supplemental module “Methods and Theories”, for which you earn 7 ECTS points. One specialisation module in one of the three subjects and in Language Practice, giving 16 ECTS points, complete the modules. The bachelor’s thesis counts 12 ECTS points. Together with your second major subject or two minor subjects (75 ECTS points) and the Studium Generale (18 ECTS points) you reach 180 ECTS points, which are required to complete the study programme.

The bachelor's degree programme in English and American Studies is available in the following variations:

as one of two major subjects (75 ECTS points)
as a single major subject (75 ECTS points) with two minor subjects
as a first minor subject (45 ECTS points)
as a second minor subject (30 ECTS points)

When studied as a second minor subject, the bachelor's degree programme in English and American Studies is limited to one academic sub-discipline and practical language training. The first minor subject introduces all three academic sub-disciplines – Literary Studies, Linguistics and Cultural Studies – and practical language training. Based on this introduction, students then choose their individual specialisation which informs their bachelor's thesis in the major subject.

What are General Studies (Studium Generale)?

The Studium Generale is primarily designed to furnish students with interdisciplinary practical, teaching and language skills. Students may attend any module or individual class listed as available for Studium Generale in the UnivIS directory. The requirements for module completion follow the regulations of the study program to which the module belongs, and the individual classes are credited with ungraded 3 ECTS each. If you wish to attend additional modules/classes or modules/classes not listed in this directory, please contact the lecturer in charge of the module/class you are interested in to find it whether it can be opened for you.

You can choose your classes from any subject. The marks you may receive within the scope of your Studium Generale will not be counted towards your overall degree result, but you do need the ECTS points from the Studium Generale to reach the total number of points required.

Bachelor’s thesis

Information on thesis supervisors

For general information about completing your degree, see the following text: Vertiefungsmodul und Schritte zur Bachelorarbeit (advanced module and steps towards your bachelor's thesis)(513.1 KB, 2 pages)
The subject-specific advisory services for the sub-disciplines of English Literary Studies, American Studies, English and American Cultural Studies can tell you which instructors supervise Bachelor’s theses in the different disciplines. This information can, in part, also be found on our websites:
- Supervisors for Bachelor’s theses in Literary Studies
- Supervisors for Bachelor’s theses in American Studies
- Supervisors for Bachelor’s theses in English Linguistics(157.4 KB, 1 page)

Scope and format

The required format for bachelor’s theses generally corresponds to that outlined in the style sheets for the sub-disciplines and practised in the term papers.

For the style sheets and recommendations regarding the scope of your bachelor’s thesis compared to other types of written work, see this page.

The Office of Examinations will provide you with templates for your cover page and the declarations you must include at the end of your work. Be sure to consult the website of the Office of Examinations at an early stage to find out everything else you need to know about registering for your thesis, submitting your thesis and scheduling the process. Please always follow only the instructions provided there.

Examination regulations

Also see the examination regulations for the rules governing your bachelor’s thesis:

Sections 18–20 of the general examination regulations (Allgemeine Prüfungsordnung)
Section 35 of the examination regulations for the individual degree course (Studien- und Fachprüfungsordnung)