The Section of German very much welcomes candidates for a master's degree (MPhil). It is the only such department in the UK which has always been placed in the top grade in research assessment exercises and can fairly claim to be the best in the country. The collegiate structure of the University also makes for a supportive environment.
The Section participates in all three of the MMLL Faculty's MPhil courses:
- MPhil in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures
- MPhil in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics
- MPhil in Film and Screen Studies
The Section has an officer responsible for postgraduate matters, currently Dr Mark Chinca, with Dr Martin Ruehl as interim officer in Michaelmas Term 2021 (email: gteogerman@mmll.cam.ca.uk). You may consult them for advice on any aspect of your postgraduate course.
The MPhil in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures
If you do not yet have a Master's Degree, the MPhil in European Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures, organised by the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages, could provide the ideal starting-point for your postgraduate work. The one-year course, examined by essays and a dissertation, consists of a core unit in critical theory and a choice of modules from various language areas. The Section of German participates fully in the programme and currently offers three modules, two in literature and one in thought. Details of modules.
Academic queries about the MPhil in European and Comparative Literatures and Cultures should be directed to the Course Director for the M.Phil, see MPhil contacts.
The MPhil in Film and Screen Studies
For those who are interested in Film and Media, the MPhil in Film and Screen Studies, organised by the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages, could offer another route into postgraduate work. Like the MPhil in European and Comparative Literatures and Cultures, this is a one-year course, examined by essays and a dissertation. It consists of a core unit in critical theory and a choice of modules from various areas of film and media. Members of the Section of German are involved in teaching the programme, which are organised in two strands - Strand 1 and Strand 2.
Academic queries about the MPhil in Fim and Screen Studies should be directed to the Course Director for the M.Phil, see MPhil contacts.
The MPhil in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics: The Germanic Pathway
The MPhil in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, organised by the Faculty's Section of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (TAL), caters both for students who want a course in linguistics generally, and for those who wish to specialise in the linguistics of certain language areas. All students are required to follow courses in 'Research Methods' and 'Linguistic Theory'. Beyond that, each student follows his or her own 'Study Plan', which allows the individual interests, needs, and strengths of the student to be met. This includes the possibility of specialising in specific language areas by choosing a 'pathway' in Celtic, Germanic, Romance or Slavonic languages. Students who choose a language-specific pathway write at least one of the long essays and the MPhil thesis on a topic which is clearly within the language area chosen. Further details.
The Section's adviser on the Germanic pathway in the MPhil in Linguistics is Dr Sheila Watts (Newnham College, network telephone 35816, e-mail sw271@cam.ac.uk).
Further information:
- Postgraduate Studies Homepage
- Application schedule
- Sources of funding
- The college system: some notes
- Current Postgraduate Research Students
