Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor's in English Program

The Bachelor's in English program at the University of Bern offers students a comprehensive foundation in the historical and contemporary forms of the English language, as well as the literatures and cultures of the English-speaking world. The curriculum reflects the department's diverse expertise across research areas, including sociolinguistics, discourse studies, medieval or modern English studies, North American literature and culture, and literary theory.

Program Structure

The BA major study program consists of three phases:

1. Induction Phase: The main focus lies on the acquisition of methodological competences in the areas of language and linguistics, literature, and academic language use. The Induction Phase must be completed and passed before students are allowed to move on to the next phase.
2. Focussing Phase: This phase concentrates on the development of subject expertise, which is deepened within selectable thematic foci.
3. Completion Phase: The research focus is developed further, and students explore their academic interests in their BA thesis.

Requirements for the BA Major (120 ECTS)

• Induction Phase:
  • Core Curriculum (20 ECTS; all graded, except Literary History lecture)
  • Language Module (12 ECTS, all graded)
• Focussing Phase:
  • 1 Focus Module in either Language and Linguistics or Literature (10 ECTS, graded)
  • 3 seminars (7 ECTS each, graded; at least one in Language and Linguistics and one in Literature)
  • 2 lectures (3 ECTS each, ungraded; one in Language and Linguistics and one in Literature)
  • Electives (15 ECTS to be acquired in courses offered outside of the department, must all be graded)
• Completion Phase:
  • BA colloquium (2 semesters, 4 ECTS, ungraded)
  • BA thesis (10 ECTS, graded)

Requirements for the BA Minor (60 ECTS)

• Induction Phase:
  • Core Curriculum (20 ECTS; all graded, except Literary History lecture)
  • Language Module (12 ECTS, all graded)
• Focussing Phase:
  • 1 Focus Module in either Language and Linguistics or Literature (10 ECTS, graded)
  • 1 seminar in either Language and Linguistics or Literature (7 ECTS, graded)
  • Stay Abroad (3 to 6 months; 5-10 ECTS)
  • Optional courses (1-6 ECTS, depending on the duration of the Stay Abroad)

Requirements for the BA Minor (30 ECTS)

• Induction Phase:
  • Reduced Core Curriculum (14 ECTS, all graded)
  • Language Module (12 ECTS, all graded)
• Optional courses (4 ECTS in total)

Combination Possibilities

The Bachelor's degree program in English consists of the major with 120 ECTS credits and one or more minors for a total of 60 ECTS credits. Any subject taught in a sufficient scope at the University of Bern can be chosen as a minor. However, students are not permitted to have a major and minor in the same branch of study.

Language Skills

All courses are taught in English; however, German is the primary language of academic exchange at the University of Bern, and all undergraduate students are expected to be proficient in German. Exemptions are granted only in exceptional cases.

Application and Admission

• General admission requirements
• Application and admission with a Swiss high school leavers' certificate (Matura) or degree
• Application and admission with an international high school leavers certificate or degree

After Your BA

The Bachelor of Arts in English, Universit‰t Bern, allows admission without assessment to the following MA degree programs:

• MA in Editorial Studies
• MA in English

Graduates of the program have gone on to pursue careers in fields such as journalism, public relations, human resources, archiving, librarianship, higher education, and academia.