World Literature (B.A.)

This study program will invite you to explore literature of all major world regions. The extraordinary variety of European and non-European philologies at the University of Göttingen allows for a global study of literature. You will read prominent works of literatures of the world and examine their temporal, spatial and cultural allocations. The degree program is aimed at applicants who want to turn their interest in literature into their profession or whose career goal requires broad cultural knowledge.

You will explore the European and the global interconnections of literature, recognizing how literary styles and periods have spread across borders. You will understand how texts allude to each other and how authors learn from each other. You will discover the literary richness of our world and investigate the cultures from which they originate. By evaluating literary techniques such as metaphor, rhyme or narrative perspective for interpretation, you will become aware of how literature works. You will study the specific possibilities of genres such as prose, lyric or drama. The program enables you to assess the qualities of literature. While working with literary texts you will learn and apply journalistic and scientific methods of analysis, which should help you prepare for a subsequent course of study or a professional career.

You are required to present proof of proficiency in 3 languages at the start of the study program.

The level of language understanding in either German or English should be no less than C1 (advanced) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and B2 (upper intermediate) respectively. At variance with the standard terms of admission, you may enroll in this course with a B2 (DHS-1) language proficiency level if German is not your first language.

Your third language, if modern, should be certified at B1 (intermediate) level and in case of a classic one you must provide the Latinum (intermediate Latin), the Graecum (Old Greek) or the Hebraecum (Old Hebrew) certificate.

You must be able to acquire an advanced (CEFR C1) proficiency certification in both German and English after the first few semesters, specifically, in German – after the first, and in English – after the second course semester. The program contains language courses to prepare you for the language tests in question.

As part of the World Literature programme, students have the option of choosing a double-degree specialisation after the second semester. This specialisation includes a one-year stay at the respective partner university. Currently, it is possible to obtain a double-degree with the East China Normal University in Shanghai (Shanghai, China) or with the Voronezh State University (Voronezh, Russia). After completing a double-degree programme, you will be awarded a B.A. from two universities.

Currently, the DAAD supports the year abroad of Göttingen World Literature students with three to six scholarships, depending on the partner university.

The abundance of course offers is naturally reflected in the available professional opportunities.

An internship at a German or foreign literary institution (publishing house, media, literary hub, press, radio, collection, archive, editing, literary museum) is recommended for the professional orientation and will be considered an accreditable part of the course program.

This course, mostly in combination with a secondary study, will prepare you to work in the following professional fields:

• Literary agent
• Publisher
• Lecturer
• Rights dealer
• Translator
• Writer
• Editor
• Manager of literary and art festivals, museums, fairs and exhibitions.

• Abteilung Komparatistik
• Ostasiatisches Seminar
• Finnisch-Ugrisches Seminar
• Seminar für Ägyptologie und Koptologie
• Seminar für Altorientalistik
• Seminar für Arabistik/Islamwissenschaft
• Seminar für Deutsche Philologie
• Seminar für Englische Philologie
• Seminar für Indologie und Tibetologie
• Seminar für Iranistik
• Seminar für Klassische Philologie
• Seminar für Romanische Philologie
• Seminar für Slavische Philologie
• Seminar für Turkologie und Zentralasienkunde
• Skandinavisches Seminar
• Studiengang Religionswissenschaft