Decisions and guidelines

This study program was adopted by the board of the Faculty of Languages on 2006-12-07 and took effect 2007-07-01. The curriculum was revised on 2008-11-13.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in English, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies), including an essay in English of at least 8000 words. The issues treated in the essay and the method used must be relevant to the selected specialisation of the Master's Program.

Layout of the programme

The Program covers two years (120 academic credits) with one of three specialisations: English Language and Linguistics, English Literature, or American Literature and Culture. The respective specialisations in English Literature and American Literature and Culture consist of six course modules worth 7.5, 10, and 15 academic credits in the first year. The specialisation in English Linguistics comprises eight course modules worth 7.5 academic credits each in the first year. In all specialisations modules amounting to a total of 15 academic credits may be replaced by a degree project worth 15 academic credits in the second term. In the second year all specialisations consist of three or four elective modules worth either 5, 7.5 or 10 academic credits. At least 22.5 academic credits' worth of these modules must be in the chosen specialisation for the Program. The 30-credit degree project in the fourth term must also be in the chosen specialisation for the Program. The content and sequencing of the modules may vary from one year to another.

Upon completion of the programme, students will be able to

- show knowledge of one of the fields of English Language and Linguistics, English Literature, or American Literature and Culture

- show knowledge of the methods and issues of linguistic or literary studies

- actively stay abreast of developments and research in the subject area

- use keen insight to gather and process complex material of relevance to the formation of theory in the field and the chosen research question

- work with a high degree of independence to delimit, structure, and carry out a research task of relevance to the formation of theory in the field and the chosen research question

- show the capacity to compose and defend an academic degree project worth 30 academic credits (for the Swedish magister degree 15 academic credits) evincing a high degree of independence

- show the ability to critically review the work of others and to produce a critical review

- participate actively in seminar discussions by making informed contributions and by being able to lead such discussions

- independently present surveys of the current state of knowledge, the frontiers of research, and their own work.

For more information, please refer to the study plan.

Instruction

The program covers two years (120 academic credits), but the first year can be adapted to lead to a one-year Master's degree (a Swedish Magister degree). The program offers a choice between three specialisations: English Language and Linguistics, English Literature, and American Literature and Culture. Students choose one of these specialisations. For students wishing to complete only a one-year program, modules amounting to a total of 15 academic credits are substituted by a degree project (worth 15 academic credits) in the second term. In the fourth term, students write a degree project worth 30 academic credits.

Instruction, class discussions, and examinations are in English. All teaching materials are in English.

Degree

The Master's Degree in English is obtained after completion of course requirements worth a total of 120 academic credits, including a degree project worth 30 academic credits.

The Swedish Magister degree in English is obtained after completion of course requirements worth a total of 60 academic credits at the advanced level, including a degree project worth 15 academic credits.

Other directives

The program prepares students for careers that require solid knowledge and skills as well as academic training in the subject of English. These include positions in higher education, schools, museums, archives, libraries, publishing companies, governmental authorities, government ministries, tourism, media (journalism, translation, for instance), and the EU (interpretation).