The admission requirement for the Master's degree program is a professionally qualifying German or equivalent foreign degree in literature, humanities or cultural studies.

For the chosen focus language, students must provide proof of proficiency in at least one of the following languages at level C1.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or an equivalent level of proficiency: French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese.

Applicants who have obtained their degree at a foreign university or equivalent institution must provide proof of German language skills at level C1 CEFR. If no corresponding certificates or attestations in accordance with the regulations for the German language examination for university admission for foreign applicants at Freie Universität Berlin are available, the German language examination for university admission (DSH) can be taken as an alternative.

Students do not pay any tuition fees, the university only charges semester fees and contributions each semester.

The consecutive, research-oriented Master's degree course expands the specialist knowledge of literary studies acquired in a Bachelor's degree course or an equivalent first professionally qualifying university degree in a literary or cultural studies subject relevant to the Master's degree course. In the field of literary studies, the course offers an in-depth education oriented towards current research questions, which is based on a cross-linguistic, overall Romance perspective. The focus is on the development and differentiation of subject-specific theoretical and methodological skills, the teaching of in-depth knowledge of central epochs in the history of Romance literatures and the introduction to the practice of research. Advanced knowledge of the principles of academic work and good academic practice is acquired and applied; the aim is to enable students to carry out independent academic work.

The Master's degree course deals with literary and cultural phenomena from both a European and a global perspective and trains students to deal sensitively with historical experiences of difference, which are analyzed and interpreted using a comparative approach. This includes the thematization and reflection of gender and diversity aspects.

In accordance with the cross-linguistic, genuinely Romance studies approach of the degree course, practical language training in at least two language areas is a central component of the degree course. French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese can be studied as the main language; in addition to French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, Catalan, Galician or Latin can also be chosen.

The Institute of Romance Philology at Freie Universität Berlin is one of the largest of its kind in the German-speaking world. Lecturers at the institute are active in special research areas, research groups and clusters of excellence and bring the corresponding interdisciplinary perspectives to their teaching. International academics regularly visit the institute for research stays or guest lectures. Language courses are taught by native speakers; students also have access to the self-study center, which offers a wide range of multimedia resources for autonomous learning. The French Center, the Italian Center and the Latin American Institute at Freie Universität Berlin focus on specific countries and regions. The Berlin cultural institutes of the Romance-speaking countries complement the studies at Freie Universität Berlin with attractive programs.

The Philological Library has an outstanding collection of relevant primary and secondary literature. The library system at Freie Universität complements this broad range of services and offers students unique working conditions.

Numerous ERASMUS and other cooperation agreements enable students on the Master's degree course in Romance Literary Studies to spend semesters abroad at leading universities in partner countries. The recognition of academic achievements abroad is supported by the Institute.

The Master's degree program in Romance Literary Studies consists of three complementary areas of study.

1. The literary studies program (65 CP plus Master's thesis) comprises five thematic modules: “Literary Theory: Aesthetics - Poetics - Rhetoric”, “Romance and Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies”, “Literature - Culture - Media” as well as two modules, each with a focus on older and newer literature: “Older Literature in a European Context” and “Newer Literature in a Global Context”. Each module consists of at least two courses that are closely coordinated. The courses take up the latest developments in the subject - this includes addressing and reflecting on aspects of gender and diversity - and always situate texts from the individual philologies in the overall Romance context. A further module, “Perspectives on Research”, prepares students for writing their Master's thesis.

2. The study area Language Practice (20 CP) comprises a total of four practical language modules. One module is allocated to the main language (French, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish), three further modules to a second Romance language (French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Galician or Catalan), which can also be studied as part of the degree program without prior knowledge. Instead of learning or deepening the knowledge of a second Romance language, students can also take Latin courses that prepare them for the state Latinum examination.

3. The affine area comprises 10 credit points, which students can complete in freely selectable modules to develop or deepen individual interests, work focuses and competence profiles. Possible options include modules from other humanities subjects, additional language courses or courses taken as part of a semester abroad.

The Master's thesis should demonstrate that students are able to independently work on and present a research task using scientific methods. Upon successful completion of the study program, the degree of Master of Arts (M.A.) is awarded.

Modules of the degree program

Specialized study of literature (65 LP)

• Module: Literary Theory: Aesthetics - Poetics - Rhetoric (10 CP)
• Module: Older Literature in a European Context (15 CP)
• Module: Modern Literature in a Global Context (15 CP)
• Module: Romance and Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies (10 CP)
• Module: Literature - Culture - Media (10 CP)
• Module: Perspectives on Research (5 CP)

Language acquisition (20 CP)

Language specialization

One of the following modules worth 5 CP must be selected and completed for the 'Language specialization' area:

• Module: French Master's module (5 CP),
• Module: Italian Master's module (5 CP),
• Module: Portuguese Master's module (5 CP) or
• Module: Spanish Master's module (5 CP)

Further Romance language or Latin

Consecutive modules totaling 15 ECTS credits in one language must be selected and completed for the 'Additional Romance Language or Latin' area.

• French
• Italian
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• Catalan
• Galician
• Latin

Affinity area (10 CP)

In the affinity area, students must select and complete courses amounting to 10 CP. The modules and courses for this can be selected from the courses offered by Freie Universität and other universities in Germany and abroad.

Graduates have in-depth academic knowledge and advanced professional skills.

The Master's degree program prepares students both for an academic career and for professional activities outside of research-oriented contexts, for example in the cultural and educational sector, in journalism, press and public relations, project management, European and non-European cultural exchange or in related fields of activity in Germany and abroad.