Programme name: Romance Studies
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Standard period of study: 4 semesters
Start: Winter semester
Admission regulations: B.A. degree in a Romance discipline with an overall grade of at least 2.5 (no additional oral examination). Admission with an overall grade of 2.6 – 3.0 with additional oral examination.
Verification required of academic performance in a Romance programme of study (e.g. Gallo-Roman Studies, Spanish Studies, Italian Studies, Portuguese Studies, Romance Studies or Romance Philology or a subject of the cultural sciences with a corresponding regional concentration) in the scope of at least 50 credits, including at least 6 credits each in linguistics and literature science.
Language requirement: Verification of sufficient knowledge in French (GER level C1), of Italian (GER level B2+), of Portuguese (GER level B2+) or Spanish (GER level C1), Latin knowledge in the scope of the “Kleines Latinum” (or equivalent)
Module packet: See module packet link in requirements
Application: See application link
Application deadline: April 1 to May 15, Lottery procedure October 11 to November 15 2010 (see link)



Programme description:
The Master's Programme in Romance Studies is a consecutive programme that follows and builds upon the Bachelor's programme. It conveys in-depth knowledge in language, literature and cultural science of the Romance language and cultural regions.

Concentrations in Göttingen:
The Göttingen programme in Romance Studies is completely dedicated to the Romance languages. It comprises the four large Romance languages French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese as well as the non-European Romance language regions and – in the elective range – Romanian and Catalan. Supplementing these, students may take courses in the field of language practice and regional studies. The concentrations in linguistics lie in variety linguistics, language contact research, cognitive semantics, historical grammar and syntax.

The sub-disciplines of literary science deal with Romance literature from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century with concentrations on interculturalism, imagology, autobiographical writings and gender studies of literary science.


Programme structure:
The Master's programme in Romance Studies can be selected as a single subject programme with 78 credits or as a programme with 42 credits in connection with an external module packet. This requires the selection of a subject-scientific or language-related concentration. Students may select from the following concentrations: Linguistics, Literary Science, Gallo-Romance Studies, Spanish Studies, Italian Studies and Portuguese Studies.

For the subject-scientific concentrations Linguistics and Literary Science, elective compulsory modules in linguistics and literature science must be selected (e.g. French and Spanish linguistics). In the individual language concentrations, elective compulsory modules in linguistics and literary science are combined (e.g. Italian linguistics and literary science). In addition, elective modules are studied. These aim to extend the student's knowledge in a comprehensive education of Romance Studies, expand practical language abilities, compliment the concentration with subject-specific modules in linguistics, literature or regional studies, give in-depth knowledge in the selected areas of concentration or students may learn a “smaller” Romance language such as Romanian or Catalan.


Occupational fields:
The degree Master's of Arts in Romance Studies qualifies for a university career, for positions in research and cultural institutions, in cultural journalism, culture management and public relations and generally for all fields of occupation that require comprehensive knowledge of the Romance languages and cultures as well as intercultural skills.

Language requirements before studies begin:
Knowledge in at least one Romance language (French, Spanish: level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages; Italian, Portuguese: level B2+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages); Latin knowledge in the scope of a Latin basic language course of 6 semester weeks in length (verification required)

Language requirements that are to be fulfilled during studies:
Some of the modules for the individual Romance languages require additional language knowledge as a requirement for admission.