The German Philology programme is open to candidates who are already proficient in German, as well as complete beginners. They will study in two separate groups for the first 3 semesters. From the 4th semester on, the beginners will attend the same courses as the more advanced students.
The programme offers students the solid written and spoken communication skills required for workplace success in German (C1–C2), as well as a knowledge of the fundamentals of German linguistics, literature and the culture of the German-speaking countries. The curriculum includes a diverse range of course units that are designed to help students to develop their language skills, including the advanced writing, speaking and research skills needed to become successful. The students will also acquire a range of soft skills by cultivating their analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving and rhetorical abilities, while gaining a knowledge of culture and history, which will allow them to understand the complex modern world of today.
Germans and Lithuania: Linguistic and Cultural Junctures
30.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
3 semester
Compulsory courses
Modern German III
German Syntax
German Literature: 2nd half of the 19th c. – 20th c.
Optional courses
Medieval Studies / Old Writings in German, etc.
Individual Study Courses*
30.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
10.0
4 semester
Compulsory courses
Modern German IV
Introduction to the Theory of Literature
Optional courses
Seminar in German Literature or Linguistics
German Language in the World/Celtic Religion and Mythology, etc.
Individual Study Courses*
30.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
10.0
5 semester
Compulsory courses
Historical Development of the German Language
German Literature: the Middle Ages – 1st half of the 19th c.
Intercultural Communication
Optional courses
Business German/Legal German Creative Writing/Public Speaking/Introduction to Sociolinguistics, etc.
Individual Study Courses*
30.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
10.0
6 semester
Compulsory courses
Basic Course in German Linguistics
Optional courses
Seminar in German Literature/Linguistics Introduction to Language for Specific Purposes/ Austrian Literature/Introduction to Semantics/ Modern German Literature/2nd Foreign Language etc.
Individual Study Courses*
30.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
15.0
7 semester
Compulsory courses
Writing BA Thesis: Research in Progress
Optional courses
German Language of Politics / Genres of Media Texts etc.
Individual Study Courses*
30.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
8 semester
Compulsory courses
BA Thesis
Professional Internship: Translation/ German as a foreign language teaching/ Corpus Linguistics/Intercultural Communication
30.0
15.0
15.0
* Individual study courses include a list of courses students can choose from, in particular:
20+ languages: English, French, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Russian, Polish, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Ancient Greek, Modern Greek, Danish, Swedish, Icelandic, Finnish, Hungarian, Slovenian, Croatian, Romanian, Turkish and Georgian;
optional courses from the same and/or other study fields;
General University Studies (GUS) modules covering a wide range of study fields throughout the University (for the complete list see here);
Graduates of the German Philology study programme are able to:
Communicate in German at an advanced level (C1-C2), as well as use German for Specific Purposes and Academic German skills (writing reports, reviews, research papers and texts in other genres)
Analyse, synthesise, summarise and discuss the main principles underlying the structure and uses of language
Show an awareness of the different frameworks of literary and cultural theory, and apply them in the analysis of literary texts
Interpret the historical and cultural backgrounds of German-speaking countries
German language proficiency (at a level no lower than B1 following CEFR) certified by one of the following exams: • TestDaF. • Goethe-Zertifikat B1 • Zertifikat Deutsch telc B1 • das Deutsche Sprachdiplom DSD1 or other document certifying the German language proficiency at a level no lower than B1 following CEFR.
English language proficiency (at a level no lower than B1 following CEFR), certified by one of the international exams: • IELTS Academic 4.5+, • TOEFL iBT 32+, • Cambridge English exam 140+, • Pearson PTE Academic 43+, • LanguageCert IESOL B1, • Duolingo English Test 65+ Or other document certifying the English language proficiency at a level no lower than B1 following CEFR.
The opportunity to participate in a wide range of courses in German linguistics, German, Austrian and Swiss literature, and culture at the biggest centre of German studies in the Baltic region.
A flexible and student-oriented curriculum: students can choose up to 50 percent of the courses according to their interests.
In the 5th semester, you will have the opportunity to apply for a one-time scholarship of EUR 2000 established by Reiz Tech UAB.
An opportunity to choose from various options, including internships and work placements.
What comes after?
Successful careers in the local and global labour markets.
Employment in the fields of teaching, translation, tourism, logistics, public relations, research, content creation or marketing, as well as working for foreign embassies, government and European Union institutions, etc.
Further studies for a Master’s degree in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences
"Vilnius University itself is one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe. It also happened historically that, like the friendly and multinational Vilnius itself, Vilnius University is the center of education not only for Lithuania, but also for its closest neighbor countries. No matter how pretentious it may sound, for me this is a place of power for my people too (Belarusians). And I was very pleasantly surprised by such an opportunity as studying the German Philology program in English and/or Russian. Moreover, the program starts for those who do not know the German language, and for those who already know it. During the first two years of learning the language from “zero”, I have already studied both the required grammar, syntax, morphology, phonetics and other language specific material, and specialized subjects of our choice (language history, literature, culture and politics of German-speaking countries). You will not be left without the attention of professors and lecturers who value both constant participation in learning the language according to the planned program, and an individual approach to completing tasks and mastering knowledge. I will not fail to note that while studying at the Faculty of Philology, you also will have the opportunity to choose a second foreign language for study (a bit of a help if you cannot decide between German and a second foreign language)."
Liubou Tsishchanka 3rd-year student in German Philology
