Facts & figures
Philologist in German Language, Literature and Culture
Department of German Linguistics
Department of German Literature
Department of German Language Training and Applied Linguistics
German
Program
The MA in German Language, Literature and Culture at ELTE is recommended for students who wish to pursue careers in fields such as the media, communication coaching, cultural institutions, programme organisation, German-affiliated companies, publishing, translation, education, or academic research.
To support these career paths, the programme provides transferable knowledge based on a systematic and in-depth understanding of the structures and developments of the German language, literature, and cultural studies. The Institute of German Studies has strong connections with the German-speaking world through its partner universities, exchange programmes, study trips, visiting lecturers, language instructors, and scholarship opportunities. Drawing on this extensive international network, graduates are well positioned to build successful, engaging, and respected careers in their chosen fields.
Programme Details
Graduates of the programme will possess comprehensive knowledge of German language, literature, and cultural studies, together with specialised expertise in the German language and the cultures of German-speaking countries. Drawing on their acquired knowledge of linguistics, literary studies, and cultural studies, they will be equipped to undertake language mediation and intercultural communication tasks in public administration and a wide range of areas within cultural life. The programme also provides graduates with a strong foundation for continuing their studies at doctoral level.
Main Areas of Specialisation
- Linguistics (history of linguistics and research methods, history of the German language; sociolinguistics; variationist linguistics; contrastive linguistics; trends in the development of language and language systems; pragmatics) 20-30 credits
- Literary Studies (the historical development of literary studies, including classical and contemporary schools of thought; periods in literary history and approaches to literary theory; textual analysis; interdisciplinary methods in literary studies) 20-30 credits
- Cultural and Media Studies (theories of modern cultural and media studies and their practical applications; interculturality; intermediality; cultural mediation, including literary translation; contemporary culture) 10-20 credits
- Specialisations offered by the institution designed to develop specific competences within the fields of literary studies, linguistics, and cultural and media studies: an additional 30-40 credits
In this program, students become proficient in understanding and producing academic and media-oriented publications also in the fields of applied and theoretical linguistics and literature science. After the basic module students can alternatively choose besides the philology module also a module for German economic communication as well as for culture mediation. Students are eligible for admission to PhD programs.
Structure
Career
German Language Literature and Culture experts with an MA degree are well-sought after in the following fields: the world of business, media, diplomacy, international relations institutes, tourism, local government/cultural offices, the arts.
Journalist, essayist, guide, project manager at government/cultural organisations, specialist in diplomatic affairs.
Admissions
| EU/EEA students | Non-EU/EEA students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee/semester | 2,500 EUR | 2,500 EUR |
| Application fee |
The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2026 - 30/11/2026 and between 01/02/2027 - 31/03/2027;
The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2027-31/05/2027
|
The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2026 - 30/11/2026 and between 01/02/2027 - 31/03/2027;
The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2027-31/05/2027
|
| Entrance exam fee | 100 EUR (non-refundable) | 100 EUR (non-refundable) |
| Other cost |
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a university bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent college degree) in the fields listed below. Full credit acknowledgement is only given for a BA degree in the field of German Studies BA, Specialized in German Studies, German as a Minority Language or German as a Foreign Language Teacher.
In case of any other degree, each diploma will be considered individually, and transcripts from your bachelor's degree as well as course descriptions will be requested. The applicant must have at least 50 credits to enter the programme in the field of German Studies (Linguistics, Literature and Culture).
The educational and outcome requirements are defined by the Ministry of Human Capacities, Regulation No. 18/2016. (VIII. 5.). Details of the application and admission process are defined by the Organisational and Operational Regulations of ELTE.
Language requirements
German: KER C1 (C1 level CEFR)
The language of instruction for the entire program is German.
Admission to the Master’s programme requires applicants to hold a state-recognised advanced-level (C1) comprehensive German language certificate, or an equivalent secondary school leaving certificate or higher education diploma demonstrating the required level of language proficiency.
English is the language of administration for all international courses at ELTE Faculty of Humanities. All communication in administrative matters will be conducted in English. It is therefore recommended that all applicants speak a minimum of A2 level of English, even if it is not the language of tuition of their chosen programme.
| Document | Comment |
|---|---|
| Online application form | - |
| Secondary school certificate (graduation certificate) | Notarized copy only on request. |
| Bachelor-level degree | An official copy of your completed Bachelor degree |
| Transcript of records | |
| CV | In English, in MS Word format with one low resolution photo |
| Motivation letter | A maximum of 500 words. |
| Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid) | Scanned, in colour all personal details and expiry date must be shown. Passport must be valid. |
| Copy of application fee payment receipt | |
| Copy of the Entrance exam fee payment receipt | |
| Language certificate | Official test result or certificate must be provided; see program specific proficiency requirements. |
| Other: An official English translation of the certificates and the records if the language of the original is not English |
Optional documents for admissions
- Research Proposal
Please consult with the coordinating department for more information - Letter of Reference
Also called "Letter of recommendation." From a former instructor and/or employer.
Application deadlines
The deadline for application means the deadline of submission of the full and complete application package in the online system.
Period 1 (with Early Bird discount): 01/10-30/11/2026 23:59 (CET)
Period 2 (with Early Bird discount): 01/02-31/03/2027 23:59 (CET)
Period 3: 01/04-31/05/2027 23:59 (CET)
The application procedure includes 2 periods in order to give the applicants the freedom to submit their application when it’s most suitable for them. The applicants of each period have the same chance to get admittance for the programme. However, please note, that the Faculty of Humanities ELTE reserves the right to cancel the entrance periods in case the number of the admitted applicants reaches the limit during the previous entrance periods.
Procedure of the application
The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.
Applications will only be processed if the application fee (non-refundable) has been paid on the University’s online payment platform.
Before making the payment please visit the Faculty’s website (go to section Application and Entrance Exam fees) for detailed guidance on how to use the payment platform.
Payment platform: https://epay.elte.hu/
Entrance examination and selection process
When the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Department of International Affairs an entrance exam date option will be sent no later than the application deadline for the relevant period. Please, check your messages in the application system, and the e-mail address that is linked to the account regularly. The applications are examined by the Admission Board no later than after each application period and applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system after the decision is official. Admission letters are sent out in the online application system within a few days.
Procedure of the entrance examination
The entrance exam contains a discussion about the motivation of the applicant. Successful applicants must have a good command of English to pass the entrance exam. The format of the entrance exam is an online interview. Ranking is based on the overall evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam.
Results and the official decision will be announced in the application system. Admission letters are sent out also in the online application system within a few days.
Oral Interview
During the oral examination, applicants participate in a discussion conducted in German, during which they present their ideas and objectives regarding the study of German Studies, as well as their areas of academic interest and preferences.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a secure command of the fundamental knowledge acquired during their undergraduate studies in the fields of literature, cultural and media studies, and linguistics. They must also demonstrate the ability to communicate in German at an advanced level on the relevant academic topics provided for the examination.
The entrance examination assesses applicants’ subject-specific knowledge, academic interests, professional language skills, ability to engage with specialist texts, and their written and oral communicative competence in German.
Contacts
Admission
Department of International Affairs
E-mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 4.
More information
Website
Dr. Roberta RADA
Head of the Institute of Germanic Studies
Find the structure of the program on the webpage of the Faculty.