Bachelor of Arts

The bachelor degree programme in English and American Studies, offered as a major (Hauptfach) or a minor (Nebenfach), is a full-time course of study spanning six semesters. Students may also enrol in English Department courses to fulfil the requirements of the “Berufsfeldorientierte Kompetenzen”, or BOK, a joint project organised by the University of Freiburg Career Centre and the Centre for Soft Skills (Zentrum für Schlüsselqualifikationen). In contrast to many of the previous courses offered at German universities ('Diplom'), students' academic performance is assessed according to cumulative coursework and exams completed over the course of their studies rather than according to their performance during final exams. Also, in the bachelor degree programme university credits are allocated based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, a European-wide system which has been introduced in order to offer compatibility and mobility between different academic programmes at institutes of higher education across Germany and Europe.

A BA in English and American Studies is a well-established degree programme which, unlike Lehramt, allows students to obtain an internationally recognised degree over a shorter period of time (three years). Among the countless advantages associated with majoring or minoring in English and American Studies at the University of Freiburg are the relatively small number of students enrolled, the excellent quality of education and student advising provided both on the part of faculty and the administration, as well as the large number of courses designed to develop English language proficiency skills.