Below you can find answers to frequently asked questions related to our programs in American Studies. This includes study-advising questions for current students as well as questions regarding the application process for prospective students.

FAQs for Current Students (Study Advising)

If you are a current American Studies student and have questions about your studies not answered below, please contact one of your study advisers.

For organizational and administrative questions about your exams, please make sure to check the FAQ pages of the Exams Office as well. The contact person for BA and MA students in American Studies at the Exams Office is Anne Golembiewski.

Can I have a language class (e.g. with the Sprachenzentrum) count toward my curriculum?

Yes, but there are some strings attached: Your language instructors need to certify that the course had the workload of 10LP, and they need to give you a grade. It is your responsibility to negotiate these two factors before taking the class. If you have documentation of a grade and a 10 LP workload, any ASL study adviser can help you turn that into SQM (professional skills modules) credit. Please note that you cannot have an English class (of any kind) count.

If you want to have a language class count toward your Wahlbereich, you will need to find a study adviser in the corresponding institute who certifies that your language class is equivalent to one of their modules. (E.g. if you want to have your Spanish class count as a Wahlbereich, we can only book it thus if a Romanistik study adviser tells us which of their regular modules it is equivalent to.)

I failed an exam. Can I repeat it?

Whenever you fail an exam in an American Studies module, you can repeat it if you also failed the module in its entirety, i.e. if there were no other exams in the module that compensated for your failing grade. In other words: you can only do repeats if you failed a module, and you can always only repeat those parts of the module exam that you failed individually. Example: Let’s assume that a module exam consists of a lecture and a paper, and that these two partial grades are counted 50/50. If you have failed the lecture and have received a grade lower than 3.0 for the paper, you may repeat the lecture exam. If you also have a failing grade for the paper, you may repeat both parts of the module exam (i.e. paper and lecture exam).

How do repeat exams work?

If you have failed an exam, you may repeat it within one year of originally taking it. To repeat an exam, first find out when the repeat will be (repeat dates for lectures are typically posted on the ASL webpage; for other exams, contact the instructor of the class in which you failed the exam). Once you know when the repeat will be, check back with the Exams Office to make sure that you are signed up for the repeat. You may be barred from taking a repeat if you are not properly signed up through the Exams Office.

If you were ill and could not take an exam, you are automatically signed-up for the repeat. If you cannot take the repeat, talk to the Exams Office to have your name taken off the list. Otherwise you risk having the repeat count as a fail-by-absence.

How can I get my credits transferred?

No matter if you earned credits at another university or if you transfered from another program within UL: Please come to our office hours and bring all necessary documents, such as transcripts including course title and content, grades, and credits. You might even send us an email with these documents attached - as long as you make sure they give proof of the courses you wish to have recognized (“anerkannt”) and counted toward your curriculum (“angerechnet”). Please note: It is important for you to at least have a broad overview of the courses and modules ASL offers, so you do not present us with documentation on mathematics or urology! And even if we translate foreign grades into the German grading system, we do not retroactively grade papers or tests.

How do I integrate studying abroad in my Leipzig curriculum?

When you plan your study abroad,

  1. use the ASL Module overview (“Studienverlaufsplan”) and the “Modulkatalog” (both available under Downloads) to identify modules that you have not yet taken and that you would like to earn credit for while studying abroad.
  2. using the course catalog of the university you plan to study at, identify courses that disciplinarily, thematically, and methodologically correspond to the Leipzig module you want to replace. Many universities list the ECTS credits you can get per course, which can help you to make sure that the courses you select are roughly equivalent to a module at Leipzig (10 ECTS).
  3. present your plans, including the courses you want to take abroad and the seminars/modules you want to replace here at Leipzig to a study adviser. Once they approve your plans, you are ready to go ahead.

For more information, please also see our page on studying abroad.

How can I go about planning an internship, and how can I receive credit for it towards my studies?

Please see our dedicated page on internships for detailed information on how to go about this, as well as these guidelines:

BA Internship SQM Guidelines

MA Internship SQM Guidelines

How do I plan and write my final (BA/MA/Staatsexamen) thesis?

Please see our dedicated page on degree exams and the guidelines there for detailed information.

I have to work in order to finance my studies and have trouble finding enough time for university … / I’m not managing to complete the recommended 30 credits/3 modules per semester … is there something I can do?

If, due to work or other reasons, it is difficult for you to complete the recommended 30 credits per semester, you can register as a part-time student. This way, it is possible to take only 3 or 4 modules per year in order to have more time to focus on non-university matters, and the ‘Regelstudienzeit’ (i.e., the official expected period of time for finishing your studies) will be adjusted accordingly. This, in turn, can be helpful if you’re eligible for BAföG or a scholarship, or generally to contextualize the length of your studies in your CV.

You can request to study part-time by writing to the Exams Committee. The process is relatively straightforward and is detailed on the central university website.

If there is ever a longer period of time during which you think you will not be able to actively take part in modules, it is also possible to take a sabbatical/a leave of absence for a semester or two. Leave semesters do not count towards your studied semesters, but you can still take exams during them. More information is available on the central university website.

If you have questions on what might best suit your studies, feel free to contact your study advisers.

I have a disability or face a similar disadvantage that makes it more difficult for me to study. Is there any way for the university to help me with that?

You have the possibility to ask for a ‘Nachteilsausgleich’ (i.e., compensation for disadvantages). If granted, then depending on your particular situation, it is possible, e.g., to adjust the modalities of an exam so that your disadvantage is addressed (e.g. by providing you with more time to hand in a written lecture exam). You apply for such a Nachteilsausgleich with the Exams Committee, and once granted, you then receive confirmation that you can hand to individual instructors (so that you do not have to disclose any personal details with them individually each time).

There is more information available on how to apply for a Nachteilsausgleich via the central university website and also via the Studienbüro (both in German). There are also forms available to help with the process. Some very brief general information is available in English, just as some of the forms (e.g. on general information about what to hand in and on examples of possible methods of compensation). If the lack of English translations makes it difficult for you to understand the overall process, feel free to also contact your study advisers.

Exchange/Erasmus Students: How many ECTS Credits can I earn for a seminar/tutorial/lecture and how do I enrol into courses?

You can earn ECTS-Credits for every course taken and completed at American Studies Leipzig, with the amount of credits being dependent on your program level (Bachelor or Master) and the extent of work completed in class.

The basic requirements for earning any credit in a course are regular attendance (≥ 80% of total course hours) and active participation. For courses taken at the Bachelor level (Master level in parentheses), you have two earning options to chose from:

Reduced: Earn 2 (3) ECTS Credits by fulfilling the basic requirements outlined above and—depending on the individual course design—successfully completing a number of additional academic tasks the instructor of the course might assign specifically for this earning option.

Full: Earn 4 (5) ECTS-Credits by fulfilling the basic requirements outlined above, as well as successfully completing all assigned academic tasks (*) and passing the final exam.

Admission and enrollment are granted and managed on an individual basis by the instructors of the respective courses. Please contact the instructor of a course you intend to enroll in as early as possible, since the number of participants might be limited. Please also make sure to consult with the instructor about credit-earning options and the corresponding requirements early on.

If the credit transfer procedure of your home institution or exchange program should require it, you can individually obtain a Course Certificate from the instructor after successful completion of a course, documenting your participation and the amount of ECTS-Credits earned.

(* Bachelor-level courses only: This can include, but might not be limited to, multiple graded assignments over the course of the semester (PVLs), the passing of which being required to qualify for the final exam.)

FAQs for Prospective BA Students

If you are interested in our BA in American Studies, please see the below FAQ on applying to the program, in addition to our general information.

What are the application deadlines for the BA program?

Application to the BA program is not handled by American Studies Leipzig but by the university's central registrar's office. You can find the deadlines on Leipzig University's website.

Can I apply to the BA American Studies without German language skills?

While all our classes are taught in English, the program consists of a major in American Studies and a minor for which you are expected to choose supplementary modules. Most of these are offered in German, limiting access to the program for students who do not speak the language. As of the fall of 2016, international students have two options:

  1. To apply to our regular BA program, you need to prove German language proficiency corresponding to 500 hours of instruction (~B1 in the metrics of the Common European Framework). This is meant to enable you to choose supplementary modules from the university’s regular offerings.
  2. Alternatively, you can apply to our BAIT program (BA International Track). To apply for this program, you do not need any German language skills and select supplementary courses only from the English-language offerings by other departments. You are expected to aquire basic German proficiency throughout the program. For more information, see our BAIT FAQ below.

Are my English language skills sufficient?

To study in the BA program, you need language skills corresponding to the level B2. For German students, this usually means English language lessons starting in the seventh grade (six to seven years, depending on your type of school). Cf. also the Studierendensekretariat and especially this page. For international students: If you are unsure whether your certificate is good enough, please contact the International Center.

What is the language of instruction?

All classes at American Studies Leipzig itself are taught in English.

Is my Abitur grade good enough to pass the NCU?

The NCU is determined annually by the university (you can see this page for previous years' NCU values). The only way to find out is to try and apply.

Who can I turn to with more questions?

German applicants, please contact the Studentensekretariat with all questions on the admissions process. International students should also contact the International Center. If you have questions about American Studies (not the application process itself), you should also feel free to contact the ASL study advisers, preferrably in person during their office hours.

Is there a special entrance exam (Eignungsprüfung) for the BA program?

No. You only need the general “Hochschulzugangsberechtigung”—the permission to study at a German University—and evidence of the required English skills (cf. above).

I do not have a German Abitur. Can I still apply to the BA program?

If you are an international student (i.e. without a German highschool diploma called ‘Abitur’), you should contact the University’s International Center to learn about your options. The application process for the BA program is handled by the Studierendensekretariat/the International Center, not by ASL directly, so we cannot help you with specific questions about this.

I want to transfer to Leipzig from another university. Can I also transfer credit?

Generally, credit can be transferred. The specific number of credits that will get transferred, however, can only be determined once you have been admitted to the program at Leipzig.

Where can I take preparatory German classes?

The university offers a range of German courses, customized for different needs and target groups. Please consult the corresponding section at the website of the International Center.

BA International Track

International mobility has become an essential component in today's higher education and professional development landscape. American Studies Leipzig has thus launched the BA International Track (BAIT), a three-year BA program in American Studies for international students who do not yet speak German.

BAIT offers international students a multifaceted and challenging program that explores the United States—its history, culture, literature, politics, and language—from multiple perspectives and in multiple contexts. The BA in American Studies covers four branches: 1) Literature and Culture, 2) Society, History, and Politics, 3) Ethnicity and Diversity, 4) Language and Society. After taking introductory courses, students may specialize among either of these.

Please read the following frequently asked questions and answers carefully. If you need information about the program not listed below, feel free to contact our study advisers; for more information on applying to the program, please contact the university's International Center.

FAQs about the BA International Track

Who is BAIT for?

BAIT is intended for international students seeking an academic or professional career in fields including: education, cultural affairs, media, international and non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and politics.

How do I apply?

All international applicants need to submit their application to the University of Leipzig’s International Office via the uni-assist portal.

For further information, please see the application guide for International Applicants.

When can I apply? When does the program start?

International students can enroll in BAIT every year at the beginning of the fall semester (October 1). All applications have to be submitted to the University of Leipzig’s International Office via the uni-assist portal by July 15.

For further information, please see the application guide for International Applicants.

Am I eligible to apply?

You will need to provide a secondary school certificate or university admission qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) equivalent to the German Abitur (General Qualification for University Entrance certificate).

Please consult the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) or the Anabin database to check whether your secondary school certificate is equivalent to the German Abitur.

If your secondary course certificate is not equivalent, you will need to attend the Studienkolleg (Saxony Preparatory Courses) before applying to our program. For further information, please visit the application guide for International Applicants.

The BA American Studies has a numerus clausus (NCU). The NCU is determined annually by the University of Leipzig. International applicants will be selected based on their grade point average.

Can I apply to the program without German language skills?

All courses at our institute are taught in English. German language proficiency is not required when applying to the BAIT program. During the course of your studies, you are expected to enroll in German language classes and achieve level B2 of the Common European Language Reference Frame by the end of your BA degree.

Are my English language skills sufficient?

You will need to provide evidence of English skills corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Language Reference Frame when applying to our program (documentation of at least six years of English instruction, and/or any of the standard language certificates).

What are the costs of the program?

At Leipzig Universitz, you have to pay an enrollment fee per semester. This fee covers student services, a semester ticket for public transportation, and the mobility fund. You can find details on the semester fee on the university’s central website; for the winter term of 2022/23, it amounts to 253.50€ in total.
Additionally, you should calculate between 500 to 700 EUR per month to cover your personal expenses.

Are there any funding options for the program?

Unfortunately, we cannot offer any funding. You will need to find an external sponsor or scholarship.

For scholarship and financing suggestions, you can consult these Leipzig University pages:

Is there a special entrance exam (Eignungsprüfung) for the program?

No, there is no special entrance exam. You will only need to provide a secondary school certificate or university admission qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) equivalent to the German Abitur (General Qualification for University Entrance certificate) and evidence of English skills corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Language Reference Frame.

Who can I turn to with more questions?

Please contact Leipzig University's International Center if you have questions regarding the application process, visa requirements, and funding options. If you have specific questions regarding our program, please contact our study advisers.

FAQs for Prospective MA Students

If you are interested in our MA in American Studies, please see the below FAQ on applying to the program, in addition to our general information.

How do I apply?

To apply to our MA, you need to both officially apply via Leipzig University and successfully complete the entrance exam at ASL. You will find all relevant information at the MA Application Page.

When can I apply? When does the program start?

You will find all relevant information at the MA Application Page. Usually, application programs for admission in the fall will have to be handed in in the spring. Please consult the MA application page for more information.

I have a degree as …, can I apply to the MA program?

You can apply to the MA program if you have a BA degree in a field that can be seen as relevant to American studies (among them other literary studies, cultural studies, history, etc.). You obviously need to have solid knowledge of US literature, culture, and history to start with American studies as an MA student. Among other things, our entrance exam tests this knowledge. In other words, we welcome your application.

I have a BA (in a suitable field) from University …, can I apply to the MA program?

Unfortunately, we as a degree program cannot determine the eligibility of your BA degree. Please consult the International Office for information about this. Ultimately, your degree will be checked by uni-assist.

Can I apply to the MA American Studies without German language skills?

Yes. We do not recommend taking up your studies in Germany without any language skills in German, but it is possible to study the MA American Studies with very good English skills alone.

What can I do if my BA thesis has not been graded at the time of application and I thus cannot include my BA certificate with the application package?

We need some kind of statement from your advisors/professors which certifies that you will finish your studies by the end of September. The actual certificate can be handed in later.

Do I have to apply via the International Center?

The decisive criterion is whether your BA certificate was (or will be) issued by a German university. If not, you have to apply via the International Center.

Are my English language skills sufficient?

You will need to provide evidence of English skills corresponding to level C1 of the Common European Reference Frame (documentation of at least ten years of English instruction, and/or any of the standard language certificates). For orientation concerning the test scores commonly expected for C1, please see this overview). Applicants’ language skills will be finally evaluated in the course of the entrance exam.

In general, C1 is considered to be 8 years of learning English at primary and secondary school (generally known as level B2) plus an additional 2 years of English instruction on post-secondary level. The formal definition is as follows: Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions., Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purpose. Can produce clear, well-structure, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Can I send you my application packet for review?

Unfortunately, no. We are not able to check you application packet for completeness or to otherwise assess the strength of your application before the end of the admission deadline. The first thing our application process tests is your ability to compile a complete and convincing application packet. Please do not ask us to review your application beforehand.

Is my application packet complete?

On our MA Application Page you will find a list of all required documents. Please check for yourself whether your packet is complete.

How can I prepare for the application process?

First of all, make sure to upload a complete application package online at our application portal on time for the deadline. Also, make sure to apply through the university’s Studierendensekretariat (for domestic applicants) or the International Center (for international applicants). If you would like to do some reading to prepare for the application process, checking out any of the following sources might prove useful:

  • The ASL webpage generally and the pages on the MA program in particular
  • Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. Cambridge UP, 2003.
  • Burgett, Bruce, and Glenn Hendler. Keywords for American Cultural Studies. NYU P, 2007.
  • Campbell, Neil C., and Alasdair Kean. American Cultural Studies: An Introduction to American Culture. Routledge, 1998.
  • Fluck, Winfried et al., eds. American Studies Today: New Research Agendas. Universitätsverlag Winter, 2014.
  • Hebel, Udo J. Einführung in die Amerikanistik / American Studies. Metzler, 2008.
  • Marcus, Greil, and Werner Sollors, eds. A New Literary History of America. Belknap, 2009.
  • Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook, Ninth Edition. Modern Language Association, 2021.
  • Paul, Heike. The Myths That Made America: An Introduction to American Studies. transcript, 2014.

Are there any funding options for this program?

Unfortunately, we cannot offer any funding. To study in the MA program, you will either need a sponsor (a scholarship, parents, etc.) or you will have to work on the side.

For scholarship and financing suggestions, you can consult these Leipzig University pages:

Can I attend your program using the stipend …?

Generally, you will have to talk to your stipend sponsor for this. If you have a stipend to study in an MA program in Germany, chances are high that you can take the MA program.

I want to transfer to Leipzig from another university. Can I also transfer credit?

Generally, credit can be transferred. The specific number of credits that will get transferred, however, can only be determined once you have been admitted to the program at Leipzig.

Related Information

Downloads and Documents

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Study Advising

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Faculty Office Hours

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Applying to Our BA Program

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Applying to Our MA Program

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