Course: English Linguistics B.A. / Englische Sprachwissenschaft B.A.
- Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
English linguistics deals with the characteristics and manifestations of the English language on the basis of scientific methods and theories. The central contents are, on the one hand, the description of the essential structural levels of language in relation to contemporary language - sentence structure (syntax), form formation (morphology), vocabulary structure (lexicology and lexicography), phonetics (morphology and syntax) and meaning (semantics) - and, on the other hand, the historical development of language. Building on this, numerous sub-disciplines focus on current, interdisciplinary and application-related topics (sociolinguistics, pragmatics, first and second language acquisition, language contact, corpus linguistics, specialised languages, etc.). Courses in these areas should enable students to understand how language works and to adequately interpret and produce specific texts and utterances, taking into account their structural characteristics and their extra-linguistic and cultural environment.
The main areas of specialisation in english linguistics currently include
- Varieties of English as a world language, language contact (including pidgin and creole languages)
- Language variation and language change
- Sociolinguistics and dialect geography
- Language history
- Emergence of African American English
- Lexicology and lexicography
- Corpus linguistics
- Registers and specialised languages
- Language and media
- -political language use
The scientific study of language is carried out using text corpora, some of which were created at the Institute itself. These electronically processed linguistic data sets enable a wide range of empirical research possibilities, such as the comparison of linguistic varieties and the study of language change phenomena.
Degree programs in the humanities leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) often involve a combination of several subjects in which various academic skills are acquired.
English linguistics can be chosen as a B.A. subject, as a second major subject or as a minor subject in the B.A. degree program.
In the first semesters (core modules), the subject offers a broad basic qualification in English and American linguistics, literary and cultural studies and language practice. The specialisation and profile modules focus intensively on the subject-specific content, theories and methods of english linguistics.
Building on the B.A. degree programme in English Linguistics, the Master's degree program in English Linguistics/English Linguistics is offered in Regensburg (see further study options).
The most important facts at a glance
Program Profile
Is this the right program for me?
The degree program suits you if you have the following qualities:
- Good communication skills and the ability to express yourself
- Interest in other cultures
- Interest in specialised academic content
- Willingness to read and write a lot
- Willingness to deal with abstract problems and ability to work independently
- at least a good command of English
- two foreign languages or willingness to acquire (basic) knowledge of them (see below)
What makes this program special?
Language of Instruction is English and German (only individual courses).
A stay abroad is recommended and can be easily integrated into the course of study.
What can I do with this degree?
Traditionally, prominent occupational fields are literature and publishing, journalism, media, advertising, public relations as well as social, political and cultural institutions (also administration, librarianship), marketing, internal communication.
Structure of the Program
Program Structure
Bachelor of Arts: Either a Bachelor's subject (90 ECTS) is combined with a second major subject (60 ECTS) or a Bachelor's subject (90 ECTS) with two Minor Subjects (30 ECTS each).
You can choose from (almost) all subjects offered by the three Faculties of Philosophy. The subjects Business Administration, Economics, Management Information Systems (second major only) and possibly other subjects are also available as a second major or minor subject on application.
The subjects involved in the combined Bachelor's programme can be found in the list of BA combined subjects (German version) (opens in a new window). (This PDF is not accessible).
This results in the following combination of subjects:
1 Bachelor's subject (final thesis) + 1 second major subject
or
- 1 Bachelor's subject (thesis) + 2 Minor Subjects
The programme also includes a final thesis (10 ECTS) and a free elective courses in (20 ECTS). The overall scope of work corresponds to that of a single-subject degree program.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) information brochure (German version) (opens in a new window). (This PDF is not accessible) provides an in-depth insight into the Bachelor's degree programme in Humanities .
Study Plan
There are a number of compulsory courses that you must attend during your degree programme. These courses vary depending on the degree program. You can find out exactly which compulsory courses you have to attend in the module descriptions of your degree program.
To see all compulsory courses on one page, please take a look at these overview tables:
- Start of studies in or after the summer semester 2025: B.A. (changes to the core module Cultural Studies M14)
- Start of studies in or after the winter semester 2022/23: B.A. (changes to the core module Linguistics M12)
- Start of studies in or after the summer semester 2020: : B.A. (changes to the core module Linguistics M12)
- Start of studies in or after the winter semester 12/13: B.A.
These overviews have been compiled with great care, but only the original text of the Examination Regulations is legally binding. A thorough reading of the Examination Regulations is strongly recommended in the interest of a well-organised course of study.
More detailed information and links to the module catalogues and Examination Regulations can be found under "Module Overview".
Module Overview
General information on modularisation, the B.A. electives and the freely combinable Minor Subject (FKN) can be found on the homepage of the Credit Points Coordination Office:
Coordination Centre for Credit Points (German version)
You can find a detailed overview of the compulsory courses that you must complete during your degree programme in the module descriptions:
The duration of the degree programme depends on the individual course of study. The Standard Period of Study, i.e. the time in which the intended study programme can ideally be completed, is 6 semesters. The actual duration of the programme may differ from this. It is limited by the examination deadlines, which are regulated in the Examination Regulations:
Examination Regulations (German version)
The degree programme can be started in the winter and summer semesters. You can find more detailed information about studying at the University of Regensburg here:
Internship
All students are recommended to set their own priorities for their future career through suitable internships alongside their studies.
Internationalization
Subjects involved are: American Studies, British Studies and English Linguistics.
A stay abroad is recommended and can be easily integrated into the course of study.
Student Life & Services
Requirements
| Admission Restrictions / Selection Procedure | no |
| Pre-registration procedure | no |
| Eligibility Test / Aptitude Test | no |
| Placement Test | no |
| Subject-Specific Language Requirements | yes |
| German Language Certificate for Students with Foreign University Entrance Qualification | yes |
| Other Requirements | yes |
For binding information and the latest updates, please refer to the summary (German version) (opens in a new window). (This PDF is not accessible) provided by the Registrar's Office or the applicable Examination Regulations.
Details Requirements
Subject-Specific Language Requirements
The following language skills must be demonstrated by the time of registration for the bachelor's thesis at the latest: Knowledge of at least level A1+ of the common european framework of reference for languages (CEFR) in two foreign languages.
Information on German language certificates for international applicants:
Admission for internationals
The following language skills must be demonstrated by the time of registration for the bachelor's thesis at the latest: Knowledge of at least level A1+ of the common european framework of reference for languages (CEFR) in two foreign languages.
Information on German language certificates for international applicants:
Other Requirements
Requirements are a general higher education entrance qualification, a subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or a professional qualification. Information on the documents required for enrolment can be found on the Registrar's Office homepage:
Registrar's Office
Information on the application documents for international applicants can be found here:
Admission, Application and Enrollment
Foto ©iStock.com/mixetto Academic Advising
Course-related information and advice
If you have any questions about the programme content, the subject requirements and the specific structure of the programme, please contact the
General Student Advisory Service
The General Student Advisory Service (ZSB) supports you with all questions relating to your studies - from the decision to study and admission to the course of study and successful graduation.
If necessary, the ZSB will refer you to the appropriate contact person.