Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's Programme in Austrian Studies

The master's programme in Austrian Studies - Cultures, Literatures, Languages equips students with advanced knowledge of Austrian history, literature, language, and culture in a European context. Students acquire the ability to reflect on the ideational creation of myths, historic constructions of identity, and political and journalistic discursivations of the national. They gain basic knowledge of at least one central or Eastern European language and culture, as well as practice-oriented basic skills for a position in cultural organisation.

Programme Details

• Degree Programme Code: 066 818
• Duration: 4 semesters / 120 ECTS credits
• Language: German
• No entrance examination required

Curriculum

The programme consists of five compulsory modules on the following subject areas:

• Austrian literature and language
• Austrian cultural history/Austria in Europe
• Domestic student placement (for at least 3 weeks, 120 hours per week, preparation and follow-up at an Austrian cultural institution, and an accompanying seminar)
• Fields of practice
• Literatures of Central Europe

In addition, it comprises an alternative compulsory module in the form of a student placement abroad (same extent as the domestic placement) or optional subjects. Students can select courses from related degree programmes, such as History, Romance Studies, Classical Philology (Latin), Comparative Literature, Theology, Musicology, History of Art and Architecture, Jewish Studies, Cultural Studies, Philosophy, as well as from the extension curricula 礬thetik (aesthetics), Islamische Geschichte und Religion (Islamic history and religion), and Psychoanalyse Grundlagen (psychoanalysis basics). To complete the programme, students have to complete the masters module (masters thesis and masters examination).

Key Concepts

Students will deal with the following concepts during their studies:

• History
• Language varieties
• Interpretation of literature
• Archival work
• Edition philology

Programme Structure and Topics

The current offer of courses for this programme provides insight into the topics and structure. The programme includes:

• Compulsory Module I: Austrian Literature and Language (15 ECTS)
• Compulsory Module II: Austrian Cultural History / Austria in Europe (23 ECTS)
• Compulsory Module III: Student Placement Inland (10 ECTS)
• Compulsory Module IV: Fields of Practice (9 ECTS)
• Compulsory Module V: Literatures of Central Europe - Basic Knowledge (15 ECTS)
• Compulsory Module VIa: Student Placement Abroad (10 ECTS)
• Compulsory Module VIb: Optional Subjects (10 ECTS)
• Master Module (9 ECTS)

Facts and Figures

• Students: 152
• Graduates in the last academic year: 9
• Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): 7.1

Admission Procedure

Information about the admission procedure is available. To start the degree programme, students need to hold a certificate of German proficiency on C1 level.

Previous Studies

Eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna include German Philology (Bachelor) and Master Access Guide.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the masters programme are qualified to independently conduct research on this subject. Their competences prepare them for employment in academia and, in particular, at institutions operating in literature and culture and in the occupational field of international cultural work.

Continuing Education

Options for continuing education include:

• Center for Doctoral Studies - everything about doctoral/PhD programmes at the University of Vienna
• Alumni of the University of Vienna
• Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna
• Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna

Graduates' Perspective

Graduates rate the degree programme as follows:

• Grade: 2.4 (good)
• Level of difficulty: 3.8 (high)
• Average time to find employment after graduation: 2 months