Master in English Language and Literature

This degree study program is divided into two tracks: Linguistics and Literary and Cultural Studies. Each student chooses one specialization and the focus of their studies is on that track. All students must complete five Type-A/required courses. The remainder of the program consists of type B/selective and type C/elective courses that the student chooses based on the track chosen. The student then writes a Master’s thesis based on the track and relevant coursework. With the exception of some courses in translation, all teaching, coursework, and exams in this study program are carried out in the English language.

Graduate destination

Graduates with this degree are capable of complex written and oral expression in English. They have a deep knowledge of the literature, cultures, and histories of the major English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, and the Commonwealth countries. They are able to analyze various forms and functions of language in diverse genres and communicative situations. In addition to work in the fields of translating, interpreting, editing, journalism, tourism, and teaching at both the secondary and tertiary levels, graduates are well-suited for any profession that demands the ability to think and express themselves independently and critically.

Study options

Single-subject studies
Recommended study plan

Combined studies may be available.

Further studies

Further studies are possible in the doctoral degree study programmes of English linguistics or English literature. The postgraduate program is available in both internal and combined forms.

Admission requirements

Eligibility Criteria

This fee-paying degree program is open to:

1. Those holding a Bachelor's degree in a field related to English philology (literature, cultural studies and/or linguistics) or teaching English (as either a first or second language) from an institution of higher education in the Czech Republic or abroad.
2. Those holding Bachelor's degrees in other disciplines within the humanities, liberal arts or social sciences from colleges or universities located in English-speaking countries (e.g. the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean, Africa and Asia) may also be considered for admission on an individual basis. Those in this category should contact the Department of English and American Studies prior to applying: admission@phil.muni.cz.

You do not have to come to Brno personally to take the entrance exam. The result of the admission process depends on the quality of the documents that you provide. Those will be assessed by the admission committee and you will be notified about the results via e-mail.

Terms of Admission

1. Submission of an electronic application in the Masaryk University Information System.
2. Submission of two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a teacher.
3. Submission of a Statement of Purpose (750 words maximum) in English, explaining why the applicant wishes to study in this degree program accredited in English and why the applicant wishes to study in this Department.
4. Submission of a copy of the applicant's Bachelor's thesis or its equivalent (Honour's Thesis, Senior Thesis, etc.)or 15 pages of applicant's original academic paper.
5. Submission of a transcript of university/college studies, which must include:
   • Dates you attended the institution.
   • Titles of courses and examinations you completed and the marks received.
6. Demonstrate English-language skills at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Language by submitting one of the following certificates (not more than one year old at the time of the submission of the application):
   • IELTS Academic (minimum acceptable score: 7.5)
   • Certificate of Cambridge Proficiency in English with a mark of A or B
   • TOEFL iBT score of 102 or higher
   • Graduates of colleges or universities located in English-speaking countries (e.g. the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia) need not submit test scores.

Admission to study English Language and Literature will be offered to those applicants selected by the Department's Entrance Exam Committee, based on a complex evaluation of the applicant's language skills, academic record, recommendations, and motivation.

Entrance exam

The evaluation of the applications will be done in two steps:

1. Evaluation of the submitted documents.
2. An oral interview (via Skype on request if step 1 is passed).

In addition, all students with foreign degrees (except as set out below) must submit their Bachelor's degree for official recognition by the Czech Republic's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. As this process ("nostrification") can take several months, it is recommended that applicants submit this paperwork concurrently with their application. Applicants without this official recognition are not permitted to enroll at the University. Detailed instructions can be found here.

• Holders of degrees from universities located in countries with which the Czech Republic has a treaty on the bilateral recognition of academic degrees and titles (at the present time: Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia), please click here.
• Holders of degrees from universities located in Slovakia should follow the instructions set out here.

Transferring to the degree program accredited in the Czech-language

Students enrolled in the degree program accredited in English wishing to transfer to the degree program accredited in Czech (i.e. from the fee-paying to the no-fee program) must successfully pass the entrance exam process set out for that degree program. These students must also demonstrate a knowledge of Czech at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

How to apply

The application is submitted electronically. This allows you to track your application’s status throughout the entire process. Fees associated with admission procedures at the faculty of arts are 1000 CZK and are non-refundable.

Application Deadlines

1 January - 30 April for the enrollment in the Fall semester.
1 July - 31 October for the enrollment in the Spring semester.

Extended application deadline for Fall 2020 intake (first semester online)

1 May – 31 August

Documents set out above in the Terms of Admission are required to be provided in digital form and attached to the online application by April 30th or October 31st.