Overview

• To provide students with the knowledge of cultural, political, and historical contexts of Irish-German relations and to explore the inter-relationship between Ireland and the German-speaking countries
• To enable students to evaluate critically theoretical approaches to the study of literature, culture, history and intercultural relations
• To enable students to hone their oral and written communication skills in German and in English
• To provide students with the knowledge and skills to design and conduct independent research required to proceed to doctoral degree studies
• To study themes and concepts that occur in the context of bilateral relations, i.e. identity, ethnicity, history, memory, language and home
• To give students the opportunity to benefit from the excellent research links of the Centre of Irish-German Studies in German-speaking countries and to study in an international setting and at different academic institutions.

Fee Waiver

There are a number of fee waivers on offer from the School of Languages, Literature, Culture and Communication.  Please contact the Course Director for further information.

Contact

Applicants who wish to discuss detailed elements of the programme or apply for a fee waiver may contact the
Course Director
Gisela Holfter
Centre for Irish-German Studies
School of Languages, Literature, Culture and Communication
EMAIL: Gisela.Holfter@ul.ie

Graduate Profile

Opportunities include international positions in the fields of culture, tourism, business, politics and education. The programme also provides a sound basis for doctoral research.

Programme Content

Students will complete 60 credits of taught modules and complete a dissertation worth 30 credits in one year, making the programme worth 90 ECTS credits. In the autumn semester, students will take three modules of 9 credits each plus one 3-credit module at the University of Limerick. In the spring semester they will take modules for 30 ECTS credits at the relevant partner university. In exceptional circumstances (in line with current practice at undergraduate level in relation to exemptions for external study placements) students can remain in Limerick in the spring semester and take elective modules from programmes involved in semester one, following agreement with the course director. The programme combines lectures, tutorial discussions, film screenings, assigned and recommended reading and viewing and research-based critical writing both in Limerick and at another university. Attendance of guest lectures and readings by academics, writers, artists and practitioners in the relevant fields will be expected as well as student seminar presentations and individual library-based and, if applicable, archive-based research. Students also undertake a research dissertation during the summer at the University of Limerick under the guidance of a supervisor on a topic of their choice in the area of Irish-German relations (ca 15,000 words, Summer Semester).

AUTUMN SEMESTER

Irish-German Cultural Connections  (9 credits); Literature of Migration (9 credits)

One of these research modules:
Research Methodology in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies  (3 credits)
or
Research Methodologies in Applied Language Studies (3 credits)

Plus one of the following modules (each 9 credits)
Cultural Constructions of the Past; The History of Women, Medieval to Modern: Sources, Methods and Approaches; Language Systems I; Institutions and Policies of the European Union; Government and Governance: Politics, Policy, and Practice; SLA Theories and Classroom Applications.

SPRING SEMESTER

Erasmus semester in one of the following (for students from English-speaking universities)

1. Freie Universität Berlin (MA in DaF - German as Foreign Language)
2. University of Jena (MA in IWPK - Intercultural Business Communication)
3. University of Lüneburg (MA KuWi - Culture, Arts and Media)
4. Universität Wien (MAs in Austrian Studies; Deutsche Philologie  - German Studies and  Anglophone Literatures and Cultures)
5. Universität Bern (German Studies) (30 credits)

Mode B - Semester NUI Galway (for students from German-speaking universities)
Modules from MA in German Studies and MA in International Contemporary Literatures; also, if available, from MA in English (Literature and Publishing) (30 credits)

SUMMER SEMESTER

Research dissertation in the area of Irish-German relations (ca 15,000 words, 30 credits)

* Places at the partner universities in Semester Two are allocated in consultation with the Course Director, Dr. Gisela Holfter

Entry Requirements

A primary degree (with first or second class honours) in an appropriate discipline e.g. Languages, Literature, Cultural Studies, European Studies, History, Politics. Applicants with an approved equivalent qualification will be considered. Good proficiency in English and German is essential.  Note your degree must be an Honours (Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) degree or equivalent).

What to Include with Your Application:

• Qualification transcripts and certificates
• English language qualification if English is not your first language
• Certified English translations of your transcripts/certificates where the originals are in a language other than English.
• A copy of your birth certificate (long document)

To ensure a speedy assessment of your application, please upload the above documents with your application form.   Please title appropriately any documents you are uploading with the application form, for example "Supporting Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.

English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than  two years prior to application):
Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:
Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved

• Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
• TOEFL – 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), 80 (internet based)
• IELTS – Minimum score of 6.5* for Business, Arts, Humanities or Education programmes. Minimum score of 6.0* for Science, Engineering, Informatics or Electronics programmes *with no less than 6 in any one component.
• English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
• GCE ‘O’ level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
• University of Cambridge ESOL –Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English Grade A
• GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.