Before you apply

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Is this the right programme for me?

Applying for a Master’s programme requires  great deal of time and effort. To help you decide whether you should apply for the programme, answer the following questions and read the comments.


Subject knowledge

1. Have you taken classes in the following areas in your BA programme:

  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Cultural studies
  • English language proficiency

Comment: Please note that the European Joint Master’s programme is only open to students with previous knowledge in these core areas. None of the partner universities offers beginners’ classes for Master’s students in any of these areas.

2. Did you focus on English or on another language?

Comment: The programme may also be open to applicants whose BA degree is in a language other than English, provided that applicant can demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English. If you are unsure whether youor BA degree would be accepted, please contact the academic advisor of your chosen entrance university for advice.

3. Which of these areas are you particularly interested in: literature, linguistics, cultural studies?

Comment: The programme requires you to choose one of these areas as your specialist area and to gain 30-40 ECTS in this area in addition to the compulsory credits in all three areas. You will also have to submit a thesis in your specialist area.


Academic competences

1. Can you read these texts and summarise the main points?

Vivian Cook: Going Beyond the Native Speaker in Language Teaching
TESOL QUARTERLY Vol. 33, No.2, Summer 1999

Jonathan Culler: Story and Discourse in the Analysis of Narrative
From Narrative Theory. Ed. Mieke Ball. Routledge, 2004

2. Are you able to write a seminar paper of this standard or better? These papers were written by Joint Degree students, they received the top grade and they have not been revised.

Cultural Studies
Linguistics

3. Are you able to understand this lecture and this discussion with ease and take notes?

TedTalk: Patricia Kuhl, Professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of Washington, shares her research findings about how babies learn one language over another.

https://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_kuhl_the_linguistic_genius_of_babies/up-next

Discussion programme taken from the BBC Radio 4 series “In our time”. Melvyn Bragg discusses “Victorian Pessimism” with Dinah Birch, Professor of English at the University of Liverpool; Rosemary Ashton, Quain Professor of English Language and Literature at University College London; Peter Mandler, University Lecturer and Fellow in History at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

First broadcast on 10 May 2007

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007d9k6

 

Comment: In this Master’s programme, you will be expected to work independently with academic sources and to be able to write academic papers of a high standard. You should therefore be familiar with conventions of academic writing including referencing conventions. You should also be willing to acquire research skills. One of the main problems encountered by students in this programme relates to writing ability, and it is essential that you have a good standard of written English from the outset and are prepared to work on improving your writing skills.


Personal competences

  1. Are you interested in studying in an international context?
  2. Are you willing to engage in intercultural debate?
  3. Are you well organised and able to study independently?
  4. Do you have clear ideas about how you wish to benefit from this programme academically, professionally and personally?

Experience has shown the programme coordinators and teaching staff that personal competences such as intercultural competence, goal orientation, intellectual curiosity and good organisational skills are the essential elements to success in this programme. Our students come from diverse academic backgrounds and may find that they seem to lack certain academic skills when they embark on the programme. However, determination, willingness to engage in debate and to work hard can often overcome any perceived deficits. Each partner university has an academic coordinator who will provide guidance for students in the programme. Contact the coordinator of your chosen entrance university if you have any concerns about your ability to cope with the demands of this programme.


Language competence

1. Are you a native speaker of English who has studied at BA level through the medium of English?

Comment: it is not always easy to ascertain an applicant’s native speaker status. If you are unsure about your status, please contact the coordinator at your chosen entrance university for advice.

2. If you are not a native speaker of English, have you taken one of these language tests in the last 2 years?

List of approved language tests:

  • Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) PASS
  • Michigan ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English) PASS
  • Trinity ISE 3 (Integrated Skills in English) PASS
  • Pearson PTE Academic MINIMUM SCORE 76
  • IELTS MINIMUM OVERALL SCORE 7
  • TOEFL iBT MINIMUM SCORE 98

Comment: Applicants must either include an approved language certificate with their application or indicate the date on which they will take a language test. No other certificates will be accepted, nor will testimonials from teaching staff from your undergraduate university.

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Contact

Coordination
University of GrazOffice of International Relations


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