This degree study programme is divided into two tracks: Linguistics and Applied Linguistics and Literary and Cultural Studies. Each student chooses one track and the focus of their studies is in that track. All students must complete three type A/required courses. The remainder of the programme 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 programme are carried out in the English language.

A successful graduate is able to

• write and speak in English with competence at the C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• have a deep knowledge of literary and cultural theories and the literatures and cultures of English-speaking countries
• have a deep knowledge of diachronic and synchronic linguistic theories, including the history of the English language.
• work independently and conduct critical analyses

Graduates with this degree are capable of complex written and oral expression in English. They have a deep knowledge of the literatures, cultures, and histories of the major English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, and the Commonwealth countries. 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.

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 programme) 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.

Application Deadlines

1 January - 30 April for the enrollment in the Fall semester

1 July - 31 October for the enrollment in the Spring semester

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. 

Contact

admission@phil.muni.cz

In order to be allowed to sit for the Master's Final Stale Exam (AJL29999), a single subject student has to get at least 120 credits while fulfilling the following requirements:

1. Pass Cultural and Literary Theory I and II (AJL20001 and AJL20002) and finish them with exams.
2. Pass Historical Development of English (AJL20003) and finish it with an exam.
3. Pass Modern Linguistics (AJL20004) and finish it with an exam.
4. Pass Czech Literature in English (AJL20006) and finish it with an exam.
5. Pass the Practical English Exam (AJL21110 + AJL21120) in the course of the studies or have recognized any of the following:
   1. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (Grade A or B), or
   2. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with grade 8 or higher, or
   3. 75 or more points in English proficiency exam as a part of the BA exam at the Department of English and American Studies, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University and pass English Language Oral Proficiency Exam (AJL11020) with the mark A, B or C.
6. Pass six courses within the selected track and finish them with exams.
7. Gain 18 more credits at the Department of English and American Studies.
8. Meet the Faculty's requirements concerning another foreign language (4 credits).
9. Pass Master's Thesis Seminars I and II (AJL29800 and AJL29801, 20 credits total).
10. Write and defend a Master's Major (Diploma) Thesis (AJL29850).
    The process of writing a Master's Diploma Thesis usually lasts at least three semesters: in the first semester, students prepare for writing and submit assignments in the electronic Thesis Seminar I (AJL29800), in the second semester, they write the thesis and gain credits for that in the Thesis Seminar II (AJL29801), and in the third semester, they finish and hand in the thesis.

Tuition fees: € 2,500/academic year (degree program taught in English).

Students who require a visa and who are denied one will be refunded 90 % of the school-fee only if they send us confirmation that their visa was denied. The money will be returned by bank transfer only.

Programmes taught in Czech are completely tuition fee, but a serious working knowledge of Czech is required.

If you are interested in studying in Czech or would like to improve your command of the language, you might consider registering in a preliminary language course one year prior to your enrolment at Masaryk University.

The one-year-long preparatory course is designed specifically for students seeking enrolment into a university degree programme taught in Czech. This course will help you develop your Czech language skills and/or improve your existing knowledge of the language to enable you to pass the entrance exams and pursue the degree of your choice at Masaryk University. In addition to improving your level of Czech, this course will also provide you with a better understanding of Czech society and culture.