For more information see Regulation of the MA Programme in Government Gazette 3808/15.10.2019

The MA Programme “Language and Culture in the German-speaking Area” of the School of German Language and Literature of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki was founded in 2006 (Government Gazette 808/v.Β/4-7-2006) and its re-establishment, like all other MA Programmes, took place in 2018 (Government Gazette 3332/v.Β/10-8-2018).

The MA Programme “Language and Culture in the German-speaking Area” belongs to the Second Cycle of Studies, leading to the MA Diploma, and offers:

Two Specializations:

• Specialization A of the respective Department of the School: Linguistics and Didactics
• Specialization B of the respective Department of the School: Literature and Culture

Duration of studies: 4 semesters (Total 120 ECTS)

Tuition fees: No tuition fees, attendance is free of charge

The MA Programme aims to:

• To impart specialized knowledge and skills necessary for a variety of applications in the subjects:
  • Linguistics
  • Teaching-Methodology
  • Literature
  • Translation
  • Culture
• Acquiring skills for:
  • scientific research with various methodological tools,
  • collaborative ways of learning,
  • the use of new technologies and lifelong learning.

There is no established Teaching Practice in the MA Programme, as this takes place at undergraduate level.

Admission criteria, vacancy announcement and applications:

Admitted to the MA-Programme "Language and Culture in the German-speaking Area", after examinations, are graduates of:

• Schools of German Language and Literature
• Schools of related scientific fields
  • from both Greek Universities and recognized foreign Universities (see Article 3 of the MA Regulation).

The announcement of the positions for each academic year, the announcement of the dates for the submission of supporting documents and the holding of the examinations take place at the end of June of the previous academic year. Dates may be subject to change depending on the circumstances.

Application period: usually late August and early September (see June announcement under NEWS)

Number of students admitted to the MA Programme:

• 14 students
  • 7 students in the Specialization "Linguistics and Didactics"
  • 7 students in the Specialization "Literature and Culture"

According to the Regulation of the MA Programme: If "the number of successful candidates in one of the two Specializations is less than 7, then the number of successful candidates in the other Specialization may be more than 7, so that 14 candidates are added together."

Admission requirements:

• a degree of at least "very good"
• excellent knowledge of Greek and German
• very good knowledge of a third language

Selection criteria and points awarded to the candidates:

• Written test 40%
• Grade point average 10%
• Undergraduate courses relevant to the corresponding Specialization of the MA Programme 30%
• Interview 10%
• Other qualifications (research work, publications, conference presentations, participation in seminars, thesis, additional foreign language, etc.) 10%

Submission of applications:

Candidates must submit the following documents:

• Application form
• Written justification of interest (approximately 300 words)
• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of degree (with official recognition where required)
• Certificate of academic record (official transcript of records)
• Copies of thesis, publications, or certificates of relevant scientific activities, if available

Exams:

• The written examination and the oral interview (see also Article 4 of the MA Regulation) are conducted in German and Greek.
• There is no pre-determined examination material, sufficient knowledge of the subjects of the Specialization, which the applicants want to pursue in the MA Programme, is required. However, applicants are advised to study the procedures established in their Specialization in terms of research methodology (research tools) and the drafting of scientific texts (e.g., drafting of a research plan). The Library of the School (search here) has several books on issues related to the production of scientific texts in research.
• The aim of the examination is to assess:

1. 1. the ability to understand and produce scientific speech in German and Greek,
   2. the candidates’ ability to think critically, and
   3. the skills of dealing with scientific issues, and especially understanding and producing scientific texts related to the subjects of each Specialization.

• The interview (in German) aims to explore the candidates’ broader interests, their motivation for their intended studies and their specific scientific aptitudes.

Duration of regular study:

The duration of study of the 2nd Cycle of Study is 4 semesters (minimum) with the possibility of:

• suspension of 2 semesters
• extension (in special cases) of 2 semesters beyond the regular period of study for the preparation and submission of the postgraduate thesis (see also Article 5 of the P.P. Regulation)

 

Organization of Studies and Courses (Total 120 ECTS):

• 9 compulsory elective courses in German (except for some courses which are in Greek)
• research specialization seminar (Colloquium)
• postgraduate thesis (see also Article 6 of the MA Regulation)

Note: Attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absence of more than 3 sessions will result in withdrawal from the course. If a postgraduate student fails a course, he/she cannot repeat it. He/she must make it up with another course in a subsequent semester.

Courses of the MA Programme:

In the first 3 semesters, students attend 9 compulsory specialization courses from the following subjects:

Specialization in Linguistics and Didactics

• Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Language analysis and applications
• German as a Foreign Language Teaching and Learning, Intercultural Didactics, Analysis of communication in schools

Specialization in Literature and Culture

• German/German-language Literature
• Comparative Literature
• Theory and Practice of Translation
• Cultural Studies

(See more in: Specializations)

Master dissertation (30 ECTS)

The MA thesis is individual. The topic is defined in the 3rd semester, if the student has successfully attended at least 6 of the 9 compulsory courses (language of the thesis: German or Greek – with the request of the student and the decision of the School’s Assembly also in another language).

What is expected of the students?

• Attendance of the courses, as well as the writing of the master dissertation is mandatory.
  • Courses are held on certain days, usually in the afternoons, in the Specialization "Literature and Culture": on Mondays and Tuesdays, and in the Specialization "Linguistics and Didactics": on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • Flexibility: 27 ECTS from the other Specialization or other MA Programmes.
• All postgraduate students are required to attend a research seminar (Colloquium), which is common to both Specializations.
  • Colloquium: for the award of the MA students must
    • have attended at least 10 Colloquium-meetings and
    • have presented the progress of his/her MA-thesis at least once in the Colloquium.

Career prospects

• In Primary and Secondary Education:
  • as teachers: points awarded for MA and PhD
  • as school principals: points awarded for MA and PhD
  • as educational coordinators (former school counsellors): points awarded for MA (3,5 points) and PhD (6 points)
• as translators or editors of literary and other texts for publishing houses and as editors of German publications
• as authors of textbooks and other teaching aids in German as a Foreign Language
• subtitling films and television programmes
• in research centres, e.g. in language processing
• writing subjects for language certificates
• teaching German as a foreign language in Higher Education
• in cultural centres and in the organization of events
• in the media, journalism, public relations
• in commerce
• in tourism
• etc.