German as a Foreign Language in a German-African Context (Stellenbosch, South Africa) MA

• Academic degree or degree from a state or state-recognised university of cooperative education in the subjects German as a foreign language (bachelor’s, Magister Artium), German language and literature (bachelor’s, Magister Artium, 1st State Examination) or their international equivalents or related subjects;
• receptive knowledge (reading comprehension) in English at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;
• knowledge of German at C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;
• students of partner universities who intend to complete a period of study at Leipzig University from a higher semester of study onwards, must prove their knowledge of German at C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages when commencing their studies at Leipzig University.

The Faculty will check whether the above requirements have been met and then issue an official notification. This serves as proof that the candidate meets the relevant admission requirements.

Ending in a double degree, the binational master’s programme in German as a Foreign Language in a German-African Context is a consecutive master’s programme. It is a further professional-level degree programme and has a stronger focus on research. The binational master’s degree programme comprises compulsory content from the fields of cultural and literary studies, didactics/methodology, linguistics and applied linguistics.

The master’s programme also includes a mandatory internship of 150 to 250 hours for all students, which must be completed at one of the cooperating organisations or institutions.

The programme is intended to prepare you for academic-based professions and, taking into account the latest research findings and current developments, to equip you with the necessary specialist knowledge, skills and methods in such a way that you are able to conduct independent scholarly work, think for yourself and act responsibly. In particular, you will learn to critically assess, consider more carefully and apply basic theories and methods of the subject. You are given the opportunity to further develop skills for the independent formulation and handling of complex scientific questions, including in a comparative and interdisciplinary context, combined with a capacity for intercultural communication and for the application of techniques of scholarly work, including research, oral and written presentation.

A special emphasis is placed on imparting knowledge and skills that prepare students for work in the field of academic and cultural exchange between the German-speaking and African worlds.

The master’s programme (MA) entails a student workload of 120 ECTS credits. One credit corresponds to a student workload of 30 hours of attendance, private study as well as preparation and completion of exams. No more than 60 credits should be earned per academic year. The student’s total workload should not exceed 1800 hours per academic year, including the lecture-free period.
In the case of part-time studies, the student’s workload is reduced proportionally.

The programme is structured as follows:

Of the total of 120 credits, 30 credits are allocated to the master’s thesis. The course content is taught in modules. Modules are a combination of self-contained courses of limited duration with a certain methodological or subject-specific orientation. Depending on their workload, modules are worth a certain number of credits. They are concluded with a module examination, which consists of one or more individual examinations and on the basis of which credits are awarded. As a rule, a module comprises ten credits. There are two basic types of module:

1. Compulsory modules: all students are required to take these.
2. Compulsory elective modules: students can select modules from a thematically limited range.

The German as a Foreign Language in a German-African Context programme ends with the conferment of a further academic degree by Leipzig University with the title “Master of Arts”. The degree “Master of Arts in German” is awarded at Stellenbosch University.

The master’s programme prepares you for work in all practical and professional fields of teaching and learning German as a foreign language and related fields. For the core area of learning and teaching German as a foreign language, for example, this means that you as a graduate of the master’s programme are qualified for senior positions worldwide, such as for the planning, organisation and development of curricula, language courses and learning materials. The broad spectrum of professional activities in related fields includes research and teaching, education, cultural mediation, media and publishing, diplomatic service, international organisations, and foreign trade relations.

In addition, students on the master’s programme will learn to conduct independent research in the field of German as a foreign language under both domestic and international conditions.

The master’s programme can be taken up in Leipzig or Stellenbosch. For students who begin the MA at Leipzig University, the programme begins each winter semester. These students complete the first semester at Leipzig University. They complete the second and third semesters at Stellenbosch University, and the fourth back at Leipzig University. Students who begin the MA at Stellenbosch University complete two semesters abroad at Leipzig University.

Course start: winter semester
Admission restriction (NCU): yes
Application period: 2 May–31 May
Application portal: AlmaWeb

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply here.

Options in the winter semester: 3rd semester – without restrictions on admission
Options in the summer semester: 2nd semester and 4th semester – each without restrictions on admission
Application period: 2 May – 15 September for the winter semester; 1 December – 15 March for the summer semester
Application portal: AlmaWeb
Special enrolment requirements: credits form (Anrechnungsbescheid)

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply here.

Two semesters of study at foreign partner universities

Award of a double degree with an international partner university