Bachelor Major

The Major study program English Literature and Linguistics (120 ECTS) provides students with an overview of the core areas of the subject as well as the possiblity to explore additional areas of interest. 

The Bachelor Major Program in English Literature and Linguistics consists of 120 ECTS credits. In order to complete the program, the program requirements must be fulfilled. 

They are outlined in detail in the study regulations annexes (ASTO), which you can find onthe website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The information in the ASTO is legally binding. The information provided on this website is intended as a brief overview. 

3 ECTS from the module groups English Literature, English Linguistics or Language Skills and Culture. 

The remaining 18 ECTS can be chosen from any of the available module groups. 

You can check your progress on the student portal. More information on this can be found here.

The module catalogue contains descriptions of the modules that are part of the Bachelor Major. It also includes information on assessments, ECTS, etc.

The complete module catalogue (MK) can be found on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The information in the MK is legally binding. The information provided below  intended as a brief overview over the modules most regularly offered.

The modules on offer in the current semester can always be found in the course catalogue. 

Students at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences have much flexiblity when it comes to putting together their time table. Those intending to complete the Bachelor degree within the standard period of study (i.e. within six semesters) should plan on completing 30 ECTS credits per semester (Major and Minor combined). 1 ECTS credit equals 30 hours of work. 

Those who cannot or do not want to complete the Bachelor degree within the standard period of study may book fewer ECTS credits per semester; their studies will simply take longer. 

We strongly advise against starting the Bachelor program English Literature and Linguistics in the spring semester; the introductory courses only start in the fall semester. If you nonetheless wish to start your studies in the spring semester, you may book elective lectures or modules from the module group "Transferable Skills". 

We have prepared a sample curriculum for a full time study load. As the name suggests, this is one possiblity of organising your studies; however, some modules are consecutive, meaning you have to complete certain modules before you can move on to the subsequent modules. This information can be found in the course catalogue and the module catalogue. 

The sample curriculum (MC) can be found on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science. 

In the first year, i.e. in the fall semester, you should book the modules listed below if you plan on studying full time. If you plan on stuyding part time, you should give preference to Language Skills and Culture: Introduction. 

These are two-semester modules. That means the ECTS credits for these modules are spread across two semesters, meaning the workload is also spread across two semesters. These modules only start in the fall semester.

These modules are composed of one lecture attended by everyone and several seminar groups of which you must attend one. They are so-called booking modules with even distribution. That means during the booking period all groups are filled to maximum capacity; once maximum capacity is reached in all groups, additional slots will open up. It might therefore be helpful to go back and see if additional slots haven opened up in case you were not able to book your preferred group. 

English Literature: Textual Analysis (9 ECTS)

Introduction to English Linguistics (9 ECTS)

Language Skills and Culture: Introduction (12 ECTS)

• Students are responsible for booking their own modules. They can do so via the student portal.
• The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has prepared guidelines on module booking. 
• The booking deadlines are listed on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. 
• The program for the current semester can always be found in the course catalogue. 

Note: If you have successfuly completed a module, you cannot book it again. You can only be awarded ECTS credits for a module once. 

Some notes on module booking at the English Department: 

• At the BA level students have fewer possiblities to set thematic priorities. All modules (and seminar groups) teach the necessary skills, meaning even if you do not get into your first priority, you will receive the instruction you need. 
• If you are booking request modules (e.g. core electives, usually seminars), request at least two more than you actually need, as there is no guarantee you will be assigned your chosen modules.
• Compulsory modules with more than one group (e.g. Textual Analysis or History of the English Language) are booking modules with even distribution. That means during the booking all groups are filled to maximum capacity; once maximum capacity is reached in all groups, additional slots will open up. It might therefore be helpful to go back and see if additional slots haven openend up in case you were not able to book your preferred group. 
• If you are not interested in a course within a module, e.g., you want to attend Group A but do not care for Group B, mark Group B as a low priority. If it is not marked at all, the system will interpret this as interest. 
• Once the booking dealine has passed, modules can no longer be booked or cancelled, except for cases of force majeure. If this applies to you, contact the study advisor Dr. Olivia Tjon-A-Meeuw at englishstudies@es.uzh.ch. The booking deadline for individual modules can be found in the course catalogue. 

If you cannot find the answers to your question on this site, try the Frequently Asked Questions subsite. If that does not help you, contact the study advisor Dr. Olivia Tjon-A-Meeuw at englishstudies@es.uzh.ch.

You can find important documents and guidelines on the downloads site.