B.A. programs

Introductory Meetings 

First-semester students (incl. students coming from other universities and students changing their study programs):

All relevant information for beginning your studies will be provided on the website of the Central Department for Course Counseling. (external link, opens in a new window)

There will be introductory information meeting for all majors and minors during the week before classes start. You can find all dates for the first-semester information meetings for all majors and minors here(externer Link, öffnet neues Fenster) (external link, opens in a new window).

B.A. American Studies (Amerikanistik), B.A. British Studies (Anglistik), B.A. English Linguistics (Englische Sprachwissenschaft):

• Wednesday, April 6, 2026: time: tba, room: tba (UR walking, maps --> campus map and room finder) 

Please contact the degree program coordinators if you have any questions.

Recommended Courses for Your First Semester

You will find an overview of all compulsory courses in the B.A. programs, according to the currently valid examination regulations (BPO) and study recommendations here.

These lists show the basic structure of your studies in British Studies, American Studies, and English Linguistics, which you should supplement with non-mandatory courses according to your interests and needs (e. g. with regard to exam/thesis preparation). Generally, we recommend taking some of the following courses in the first semester [(teaching) hours per week=Semesterwochenstunden, ECTS pts.=Leistungspunkte].

• B.A. major British Studies (B.A.-Fach/zweites Hauptfach)
  • General Language Course 1
  • Theory and Structure
  • British Literary History
  • Culture & Society: UK
• B.A. minor British Studies (Nebenfach)
  • General Language Course 1
  • Culture & Society: UK
• B.A. major English Linguistics (B.A.-Fach/zweites Hauptfach)
  • General Language Course 1
  • Theory and Structure
  • Culture & Society: UK, or: Culture & Society: USA (not offered in summer semester 2026)
• B.A. minor English Linguistics (Nebenfach):
  • General Language Course 1
  • Theory and Structure
• B.A. major American Studies (B.A.-Fach/zweites Hauptfach)
  • General Language Course A
  • Introduction to English Linguistics: Theory and Structure
  • (optional) Introduction to English Linguistics: Phonetics and Phonology
  • Introduction to English and American Literary Studies
  • Culture & Society: UK
  • Introduction to American Studies
  • (optional) American Literary History or British Literary History
• B.A. minor American Studies (Nebenfach)
  • all minors:
    General Language Course A
  • Culture & Society: UK
  • Introduction to American Studies
  • if British Studies or American Studies is your minor:
    Introduction to English and American Literary Studies
  • if English Linguistics is your minor:
    Introduction to English Linguistics I: Theory and Structure
    (optional) Introduction to English Linguistics II: Phonetics and Phonology

Other combinations are possible as well. However, students should try to successfully complete the core modules Linguistics, Language, Literary Studies, and Cultural Studies within approximately three to four semesters. The dates of the courses offered each semester can be found in the detailed course catalog on SPUR.

At the university, there are a number of other course types (such as lectures, seminars, and advanced seminars). The following list provides you with a brief overview  (opens in a new window). (This PDF is not accessible)of these.

You can find further information regarding the structure of your study program and the organization of your studies at  B.A. English Linguistics, B.A. British Studies or B.A. American Studies.

General information about studying for a Bachelor's degree at the University of Regensburg, and major and minors from A-Z is found here.

There is a number of compulsory classes that you have to take in the course of your studies. These classes vary depending on your study program. Which compulsory courses you have to attend is precisely stated in the module descriptions for your study program.

An overview of all compulsory courses is found in the “Which courses am I supposed to take?”-section of the B.A. English Linguistics, B.A. British Studies and B.A. American Studies.

These overviews have been compiled with great care; however, only the original text of the examination regulations is legally binding. A thorough read of the examination regulations is highly recommended in the interest of a well-organized course of studies.

Coordination Office for Credit Points (Koordinierungsstelle Leistungspunkte)

General information on modularization, the electives (B.A.-Wahlbereich), and the Freely Combinable Minor (Frei kombinierbares Nebenfach, FKN) can be found on the homepage of the Coordination Office for Credit Points.

For the B.A. programs, students must earn 180 ECTS (credit points/ CP) (see à program structure of the individual B.A. program). Thus, to complete the B.A. study program within the standard period of study (six semesters), students should earn approximately 30 credit points each semester.

This means that after the second semester of study, if the majors and minors are evenly distributed, students should have completed courses earning them the following minimum of credit points:

Students in the B.A. programs in English Linguistics, American Studies, and British Studies will need to show some proof of foreign language skills in addition to English by the time they apply for admission fo their final thesis at the Examinations Office. Details about the foreign language requirements can be found in the Examinations Regulations of your study program.

Additional foreign language skills may  be acquired during the course of study. For example, the Center of Language and Communication (ZSK) offers a variety of language courses at their Department for Foreign Language Training. Language courses are also offered by other departments at UR. You can find an overview here.

When you apply for admission to your final thesis at the Examinations Office, you will need to show proof of your foreign language skills, for example with your high school leaving certificate or a certificate issued by the ZSK.

How many years of foreign language training at school correspond to which CEFR level can be found here (external link, opens in a new window).

N.B.: students in B.A. English Linguistics or B.A. British Studies starting in or after summer semester 2026 are exempt from this rule.

General

All students (B.A. and Lehramt) are required to have their phonetic (pronunciation) skills tested to complete their core module language practice (Basismodul Sprachpraxis). This pronunciation test should usually be taken either after GLC A or after Composition or after GLC B at the very latest. Students may take the course "Exercises in English Pronunciation" to prepare for the pronunciation test. Those who do not pass the pronunciation test must enroll in the course "Exercises in English Pronunciation" and pass the test before they can proceed to GLC C and other courses in the intermediate module language practice (Vertiefungsmodul Sprachpraxis). Also, the course "Exercises in English Pronunciation" is a compulsory component for Lehramt Grundschule students who take English as a Didaktikfach.

Others are welcome to take the course on a voluntary basis to improve their spoken English!

You really should take every opportunity to speak and listen to English. Some suggestions include seeing a play performed by the English theater group, RUPs, watching movies and TV series at home, listening to audio books, podcasts, etc.

Registering for and taking the exam

The exams take place at the end of term, during the first lecture-free week.

Students must register for the exam both on SPUR and on FlexNow so that they can take part in the pronunciation exam! Taking the pronunciation exam is not possible if you register only on SPUR or only on FlexNow!

Registration runs until the end of the regular registration period in FlexNow. SPUR registration runs the week after FlexNow registration ends. Find both registration periods here. 

When registering on SPUR, you can choose between different groups and thus
specify a preferred time slot (Monday/Tuesday, morning/afternoon) for the
examination.

a) Registration on SPUR:
*where: core module Language Practice (Basismodul Sprachpraxis): 35890
Pronunciation Exam.
*who: all B.A. and teacher training students except those studying English as
a “Didaktikfach” for “Lehramt Grundschule” (see above).

b) Registration on FlexNow:
*where: core module Language Practice (Basismodul Sprachpraxis) -->
Pronunciation exam
*who:
- ALL students in the B.A. study programs, students in the teacher training
programs with English as “Unterrichtsfach” (Grundschule, Mittelschule,
Realschule), students who study English as a “Didaktikfach” for “Lehramt
Mittelschule”, students who study English for “Lehramt Gymnasium”.
- exempt: students who study English as a “Didaktikfach” for “Lehramt
Grundschule” (see above).

Please make sure you are in a room with a stable internet connection for the exam!