Worlds of English

Bachelor’s programme

Highlights

Programme structure

In brief

Admission

Professional opportunities

How others see us

FAQ

Support & links

Contact

Key facts at a glance

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Duration

semesters

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credits

180

Type of programme

Bachelor’s degree programme

Prerequisites

General university entrance qualification, knowledge of English B2

Admission

General admission procedure

Curriculum, documents & links

Key facts at a glance

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Duration

semesters

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credits

180

Type of programme

Bachelor’s degree programme

Prerequisites

General university entrance qualification, knowledge of English B2

Admission

General admission procedure

Curriculum, documents & links

Worlds of English – Become an intercultural expert of languages, literatures, and cultures!

English is by far the most spoken language across the world with almost 2 billion first and second language speakers. In addition, English is the principal common language internationally and the world’s foremost global language. Are you also fascinated by the worlds of English languages and cultures?
Why not become an intercultural expert of languages, literatures, and cultures and join the Bachelor's degree programme in Worlds of English!

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Are you fascinated by the English language or English literatures and cultures? For fans of English, we can offer a Bachelor‘s degree programme that will teach you comprehensive knowledge and skills: Firstly, you will learn the English language to a very high standard and will be able to identify its structures and functions. In this way, you will not only become proficient as a speaker and writer of English, but you will also learn how the language develops, diversifies and is used for specific effects and purposes. Secondly, we will also introduce you to the cultures of the anglophone countries. We look at what shaped these countries historically and what their cultural position is today. The benefits to you are clear: Nowadays, intercultural skills are considered to be key competences which you can rely on throughout your professional life!

Graduates of the Bachelor‘s programme in Worlds of English become experts in the English language, linguistics, literature and in anglophone cultures. Students learn in direct exchange with our internationally respected lecturers and scholars of English, not only in Klagenfurt, but also in English-speaking countries. Would you like to improve your English alongside the canals of Birmingham? Or maybe you are drawn to multicultural Hong Kong or the University of New England in Armidale, Australia? We strongly encourage all our students to spend part of their studies in anglophone regions and have excellent contacts to facilitate these exchanges. Discover the English (language) worlds for yourself, and you’ll soon become a versatile expert! The language skills you acquire will serve you well all your life!

The programme in Worlds of English in brief

Core topics

The Bachelor’s degree in Worlds of English offers you the following core topics:

Language practice: You will learn English up to level C2, the highest level of excellence according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Methods: Studying a language means learning much more than just the language. We will teach you how to grasp content on a higher level, how to establish connections and critically examine them, and how to make creative use of your knowledge for new applications.
Language reflection: All languages are different and highly versatile means of expression. How they are used depends on the situations, for example, where they are used, where they are spoken, and what their social value is. Together we will explore all facets of language as our most important medium of communication.
Culture & literature: What defines a popular genre like Science Fiction or a specific tradition of writing? How does literature evolve from the times of Shakespeare to AI narratives? Together, we will analyse and criticise cultural and literary products – from poems to video games, from election campaign speeches to novels.
Intercultural skills: Explore the social, historical, cultural, political and economic situation in each language area. We will show you how to deal with cultural differences in a sensitive and problem-focused way – and how to use these skills successfully in your professional life!

Career prospects

After completing your Bachelor’s degree in Worlds of English, you can work in a wide range of professional fields, including the following areas:

(Cross-border) communication: Your Bachelor‘s degree in Worlds of English will qualify you as a communications expert in the English language. No matter whether you want to pursue your career in journalism, public relations or advertising: You can put your communication skills to excellent use!
The cultural sector: Your Bachelor‘s degree in Worlds of English will prepare you to become a cultural intermediary!
Publishing companies: Publishing is an international business. With almost two billion people who speak English as their first or second language, and many more who read in English, the market for English language publications is vast.
Archives & libraries: They are vital resources of culture and rely on experts to preserve knowledge and to convey to the world in print and digital forms.
Translation: Our degree programme offers you the basic building blocks for literary and professional translation and some of our graduates work as translators.

Studying abroad

As a student at King’s College in London, you can stroll through the streets of London between lectures and discover the multicultural metropolis, or why not spend a semester exploring Mississippi State University, which counts John Grisham among its former students? A period abroad offers you numerous opportunities to develop your professional skills and improve your language and intercultural competences at the same time. The experience you gain during a period abroad also plays an important role in understanding cultural studies. The world is yours to explore – and you can get started while you are still studying.

This degree programme does not include a compulsory period abroad. However, we strongly encourage all students to complete part of their degree programme as a semester abroad at one of the University of Klagenfurt’s more than 250 partner universities worldwide. You need not worry about your finances – we offer plenty of scholarships. You will find everything you need to know about studying abroad on our Study Abroad page.

For more information on international mobility during your degree programme, please refer to Section 7 of the curriculum.

Continuing your studies

After completing the Bachelor’s degree in Worlds of English at the University of Klagenfurt, you can go on to study the following degree programmes either directly or with minimal additional conditions. The choice is yours!

Eligible Master’s programmes – no prerequisite exams required:

Eligible Master’s programmes – prerequisite exams required:

Cross-Border Studies
Admission options, where applicable with supplementary examination(s), are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
International Management EN | A
Admission options, where applicable with supplementary examination(s), are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

EN: English-taught Master’s programme | A: Programme with a special admission procedure/entrance examination

Admission, term dates & deadlines

To start your Bachelor’s programme in Worlds of English in Klagenfurt, you must go through the general admission procedure.

Prerequisites

You must also meet the following conditions, which also apply to all other programmes:

General university entrance qualification (e.g. Matura)
Knowledge of English B2 (CEFR)

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide proof of your language proficiency to be admitted to the Bachelor’s programme.

To be completed at the beginning of the programme

Oxford Placement Test
For the Bachelor’s degree programme Worlds of English, you have to demonstrate proficiency in the English language at level B2 in the Oxford Placement Test, which is taken during the introductory phase of the programme. We advise you to take the Placement Test as early as possible. The Oxford Placement Test takes a maximum of 80 minutes and is taken online. The test is a prerequisite for certain courses in the curriculum.

Must be proved over the course of the programme

Knowledge of Latin
If you took Latin at secondary school (at least a total sum of 10 weekly hours across all grades), this is sufficient for the Bachelor's programme Worlds of English. If you do not have proof of the required knowledge, you will have to take an additional Latin examination before the final assessment in the Bachelor’s programme. Suitable courses are available at the University of Klagenfurt.

Registration period for the general admission procedure

Admission pathways vary depending on your prior qualifications. All information concerning deadlines, supporting documentation, and the exact step-by-step process can be found on the pages below:

Admission based on prior education in Austria or Germany (Matura / Abitur)

You must complete your admission to the Bachelor’s programme within the general admission period applicable to Bachelor’s degree programmes.

General admission period for Bachelor’s programmes
Winter semester 2026/27	06.07.2026 – 05.09.2026
Summer semester 2027	08.01.2027 – 05.02.2027

View the detailed admission procedure

Admission based on international prior education: EU and EEA citizens

First, you submit an application for admission to the Bachelor’s programme. You can do this at any time.

Once you have received your admission letter, you can officially enrol during the general admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes.

General admission period for Bachelor’s programmes
Winter semester 2026/27	06.07.2026 – 05.09.2026
Summer semester 2027	08.01.2027 – 05.02.2027

View the detailed admission procedure

Admission based on international prior education: Non-EU and non-EEA citizens

First, you submit your application for admission to the Bachelor’s programme before the deadline, unless you completed your prior education in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh.

Application deadlines for admission to a Bachelor’s degree programme

Winter semester: 1 April to 30 June
Summer semester: 1 November to 30 November

Once you have received your admission letter, you can officially enrol during the general admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes.

General admission period for Bachelor’s programmes
Winter semester 2026/27	06.07.2026 – 05.09.2026
Summer semester 2027	08.01.2027 – 05.02.2027

View the detailed admission procedure

Admission for individuals already enrolled at the University of Klagenfurt

You must complete your admission to the Bachelor’s programme within the general admission period applicable to Bachelor’s degree programmes.

General admission period for Bachelor’s programmes
Winter semester 2026/27	06.07.2026 – 05.09.2026
Summer semester 2027	08.01.2027 – 05.02.2027

View the detailed admission procedure

Why study Worlds of English at the University of Klagenfurt?

Our student Mara has the answer to your question!

Discover 8 more great reasons to study at the University of Klagenfurt!

8 reasons to study in Klagenfurt

This is the structure of the Bachelor’s programme

Your Bachelor’s degree programme consists of Required Subjects totalling 96 ECTS credits, Guided Electives amounting to 48 ECTS credits, a Bachelor’s thesis worth 6 ECTS credits, and a minor amounting to 30 ECTS credits.

Programme structure: a tabular overview

Structure and outline of the Bachelor’s programme Worlds of English: Tabular overview
Subject	Designation	ECTS credits
Required Subjects	Induction Phase (STEOP)	12
	Foundations: Language	27
	Foundations: Linguistics	15
	Foundations: Literature	15
	Foundations: Culture	9
	Specialization: Linguistics, Literature, Culture	18
Guided Electives	Electives in Linguistics	12
	Electives in Literary and Cultural Studies	12
	Specialization: Electives	12
	Diversity & Gender	12
Bachelor‘s Thesis		6
Minor	Choose one minor	30
Total		180

Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)

The introductory and orientation period (STEOP) grants students an overview of the key elements of the degree programme and of the course of studies ahead. Thus, it provides a factual basis for the personal evaluation of the choice of degree programme.

As students must successfully complete the introductory and orientation period in order to continue their studies, it is recommended that this stage should be scheduled during the first semester. The introductory and orientation period within the Bachelor's degree programme in Worlds of English at the University of Klagenfurt comprises a placement test (modular examination: "Placement Test") and the courses Introduction to Linguistics 1, Introduction to Literary Studies 1, British Culture: History and Society OR American Culture: History and Society OR Postcolonial Cultures: History and Society as well as the Introduction to Academic Language Studies amounting to a total of 12 ECTS credits.

Further courses, for which the completion of the introductory and orientation period is a prerequisite, may not be taken before this stage has been completed. Prior to completing the STEOP, additional courses worth up to 22 ECTS credits may be taken.

Once you have successfully completed the STEOP, you may choose your minor subject.

Recommended course of study

In the appendix to your Curriculum (PDF), you will find a detailed version of the non-binding recommended course of study that goes beyond the first two semesters.

Programme documents & links

Curriculum (PDF) (German version, legally binding)

Curriculum (PDF, English version)

Range of courses

Core topics of the Bachelor’s programme

Choose from these minors:

By selecting one minor – after completing the STEOP – from the fields of culture, languages, technology, business, law or society, you can tailor your Bachelor’s programme to suit your personal interests and career goals.