Master of Arts in African Languages and Culture University of Hamburg

The study programme envisages an obligatory thematic concentration on the following study profiles:

The Applied African Linguistics study profile: Language Education and Language Planning offers advanced courses in all areas of language management, status and corpus planning and related field of language in education. While a strong focus is placed on the aspect of societal multilingualism in Africa and its relevance to the educational sector, the informal educational background of people coming from African countries is also considered. Graduates acquire the appropriate qualifications for Africa-related responsible jobs in education, governmental or non-governmental cooperation and international organisations.

The Linguistic Analysis and Language Documentation study profile offers advanced courses in all areas of formal grammar and linguistic field methods. Topics include elicitation, transcription, annotation and analysis of linguistic data from un(der)described African languages. It also covers aspects of documentary linguistics, the production of linguistic-ethnographic records through annotated audio and video data.

The Ethiopian and Eritrean Studies study profile develops and deepens the graduates’ knowledge of Ethiopian and Eritrean languages, literatures, cultures and religions. It gives the opportunity to learn the philological method and to apply it to the texts transmitted in manuscripts. The students will be able to analyse texts in Ethiopian and Eritrean languages, both linguistically and philologically, and thus gain insight into such areas of knowledge as history with focus on ancient and pre-modern history, historical linguistics, religious history of Ethiopia and Eritrea, literature, and manuscript studies. Ethiopian and Eritrean Studies is primarily oriented to the study of linguistics, philology, history, and literature. It considers the oral as well as the manuscript traditions of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The Language in Culture study profile allows students with a BA in African Languages & Cultures or a degree in a similar programme to improve their methodological skills and theoretical knowledge in the field of mono- and multilingual communication, language use and knowledge transfer in Africa. Language in culture and communication in African societies are treated from a broad perspective based on the insight that social interaction and collective transmission of knowledge in African cultures can only be captured adequately by a deeper understanding of language and codifications of verbal interaction. A focus of this study programme is placed on communication in multilingual settings and the construction of social meaning in culturally diverse societies. Graduates acquire the appropriate qualifications for Africa-related responsible jobs in the media, education, and in the field of documenting or communicating African cultures.

University degree

A Bachelor's degree from a German or recognised foreign university in a major subject from African or Semitic studies or related fields

If you have not received your degree certificate yet, you can submit this by the end of the first semester of your Master’s programme. Please see the “Documents to submit” section below for details.

Additional special admission requirements

• Certificate of linguistic knowledge in English at Level B2 (CEFR) or
• Official Medium of Instruction certificate (MOI)

Depending on the selected profile, the following admission requirements must be fulfilled:

Profiles Linguistic Analysis and Language Documentation and Applied African Linguistics:
Proof of fundamental knowledge in phonetics/phonology, morphology and syntax with a minimum of 45 ECTS as well as competences in an African language with a minimum of 16 ECTS (language proficiency equivalent to 16 ECTS can be submitted on request until the end of the second semester). The proof of these competences is usually provided by a transcript of records.

Profile Ethiopian and Eritrean Studies:
Proof of competence in Semitic, Philological, Christian Oriental or African studies with a minimum of 45 ECTS and basic knowledge of Geez (Ancient Ethiopic) is required, with a minimum of 8 ECTS (language proficiency equivalent to 8 ECTS can be submitted on request until the end of the second semester). The proof of these competences is usually provided by a transcript of records.

Profile Language in Culture:
Proof of competences in African linguistics or African Studies with a minimum of 45 ECTS as well as competences in an African language with a minimum of 16 ECTS is required (language proficiency equivalent to 16 ECTS can be submitted on request until the end of the second semester). The proof of these competences is usually provided by a transcript of records.

There is a semester fee of approx. 340 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.

Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:

• housing: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
• living expenses: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month

Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.

Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.

Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for more information.

There are several job opportunities at Universität Hamburg. Many are offered exclusively to students. Check out departmental bulletin boards, websites, Stellenwerk, or ask directly in your department.

The Career & Qualification Centre supports students and graduates of Universität Hamburg in planning their career path and acquiring interdisciplinary professional skills. It offers consultation on career goals, assistance with job searches, continuing education opportunities and networking to facilitate the transition from university to the working world.

Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.

Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.

For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.