Master
The UZH Master programs in English Literature/Linguistics build upon and expand the skills and knowledge students gained during their Bachelor studies. At the same time, the programs are designed to offer a great deal of flexibility to advanced students wishing to pursue particular interests within one or both of these two areas.
English Literature
In the field of English Literature, students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of theoretical debates, paying particular attention to the historical context of critical traditions and on how these relate to the wider cultural field.
Key areas explored include intermediality and audiovisual culture; the relation between literary history, identity, and collective memory (from the Renaissance to the present); and the politics of literary representation – e.g. in relation to gender or with a view to (post-)colonial power structures.
Students will practice their ability to describe aesthetic phenomena with great precision and increasing nuance, contextualizing works of literature in the broader cultural field and situating their own interpretations within specific critical debates.
English Linguistics
In the field of English Linguistics, students will learn how to develop their own research design in specialized areas in English linguistics, such as language use, variation and change; the relation between language and the mind; as well as language structure.
Students will have the chance to encounter, debate, and contribute to state-of-the-art research in historical linguistics (incl. medieval literature and culture), English as a world language, and the field of pragmatics, from both a synchronic and a diachronic perspective.
In doing so, students will learn how to reflect critically on their own choice of method and theory, and continue to hone their skills in preparing, analyzing, and interpreting increasingly complex sets of linguistic data.
Writing Skills and Media Analysis
In addition, the UZH Master programs in English Literature and/or Linguistics include advanced writing and media studies modules in which students fine-tune their ability to present complex material in an accessible and academically sound manner.
The program also provides students with the option of submitting research-based reports based on extended stays abroad, as well as gaining credit for documented independent projects that grow out of interests developed in the course of their studies. By the end of their studies, students will thus have acquired all the necessary skills to conduct independent scholarly work.
Major or Minor?
Students who take English Literature and/or Linguistics as their Master Major (90 ECTS) or Master Minor (30 ECTS) will be able to follow their interests, and, for instance, prioritise English Literature or English Linguistics. Alternatively, they may focus on both areas.
Students of the Major (90 ECTS) have a sizeable elective component, which means that they have more freedom of choice. Furthermore, they may, for example, take modules from other, related programs to complement their studies in English (module group "Transferable Skills"). In addition, writing the Master Thesis will provide them with an opportunity to conduct a larger research project.
Students of the Minor (30 ECTS) also have some freedom of choice, but only within English Studies (i.e. as there is no "Transferable Skills" module group for students of the Minor, their elective component will consist almost exclusively of modules offered by the English Department).
Note that it is not possible to combine the Major in English Literature/Linguistics with the Minor in English Literature/Linguistics. Please consult the UZH website for an overview of Master degree programs offered at UZH.
You should take English as your Master Major if:
- your main interest is English (rather than the other study program);
- your other study program cannot be taken as a Major (see theUZH website for a list of Master Majors and Minors);
- you plan to do the teaching diploma (Lehrdiplom für Maturitätsschulen) and your other study program is not a teaching subject (cf. Lehrdiplom website for a list of teaching subjects).
Alternatives
Prospective students may also be interested in the following programs:
What Are the Prerequisites and How do I Apply? (Master)
Prerequisites:
- Students holding Bachelor degree in the Major program English Literature and Linguistics (Major or Minor) from the University of Zurich are admitted without additional requirements.
- Candidates holding a Bachelor degree in English Literature and/or Linguistics (or a degree in General Linguistics, or in Comparative Literature) from an accredited research university recognized by UZH, will usually be admitted to the UZH Master programs in English Literature/Linguistics, either with or without additional requirements.
- Candidates holding a Bachelor degree in a field other than those listed above may be admitted to the UZH Master programs in English Literature/Linguistics, either with or without additional requirements.
The requirements for Master programs in English Literature/Linguistics are summarised on the Master Major and the Master Minor subsites. The legally binding information can be found in the study regulations annexes (ASTO), which can be found on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Questions regarding the subject-specific requirements should be directed to the study advisor at englishstudies@es.uzh.ch.
How to Apply
The application process is outlined on the UZH Application and Admission page.
Queries regarding the application process should be directed to the Admissions Office.
Welcome Event
The English Department organises a Welcome Event for new Master students each fall. More information on the event for 2025 will follow soon.