Worlds of English
Bachelor's degree programme
Starting in the winter semester 2026/27, the Bachelor’s programme Worlds of English will feature a new curriculum. One new element is the choice of a minor worth 30 ECTS credits, which you are free to select yourself. This allows you to tailor your studies to your personal interests and set your own individual academic focus.
Starting in the winter semester 2026/27, the Bachelor’s programme Worlds of English will feature a new curriculum. One new element is the choice of a minor worth 30 ECTS credits, which you are free to select yourself. This allows you to tailor your studies to your personal interests and set your own individual academic focus.
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 language, literature, and culture and join the Bachelor's degree programme Worlds of English!
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
General university entrance qualification, knowledge of English B2
No
English
Student Guidance Service
E-mail: studieninfo [at] aau [dot] at
Office of the Programme Director
Website of the Programme Director
E-mail: anglistik [at] aau [dot] at
Student Representatives
E-mail: oeh [dot] anglistik [at] aau [dot] at
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 see through 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 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!
Curious what the Bachelor's degree programme in Worlds of English is all about?
General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
6 July 2026 – 5 September 2026
General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
8 January 2027 – 5 February 2027
Our student Mara has the answer to your question!
This is what makes the degree programme so special
After completing your Bachelor’s degree in Worlds of English, you can work in a wide range of professional fields, including the following areas:
You’ll soon discover this: There are many interesting facts, stories and news updates regarding this degree programme.
In Klagenfurt you can study at your own pace. To help you follow your path with confidence, we keep it clear of (bureaucratic) stumbling blocks and barriers. If you wish to reach your goal quickly and efficiently, we will always be there to support you. Our recommended course of study will guide you through the semesters. You work your way through the curriculum – making the most of opportunities to broaden your horizons and without wasting time. If you would like to know which courses await you before you start, take a look at the wide range of seminars and lectures.
Programme structure: a tabular overview
| Subject | Designation | ECTS credits | Recommended semester |
| Required subjects | Introductory and Orientation Period (STEOP) | 13 | 1 |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Language | 33 | 1-6 | |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Linguistics | 15 | 2-4 | |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Literature | 15 | 2-4 | |
| Basic Studies Culture | 9 | 2-4 | |
| Advanced Studies | 12 | 4-5 | |
| Guided electives | Linguistically Oriented Electives | 12 | 4-5 |
| Literary and Cultural Studies Oriented Electives | 12 | 4-5 | |
| Specialisation | 12 | 5-6 | |
| All offered courses | Work placement | Gender Studies | 12 | 1-6 | |
| Open electives | 20 | 1-6 | |
| Bachelor's thesis | 15 | ||
| 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 Worlds of English at the University of Klagenfurt comprises the following courses ("Introduction to Linguistics 1", "Introduction to Literary Studies 1", "Introduction to Academic Language Studies", "British OR American OR Postcolonial Cultures: History and Society") and a placement test (modular examination: "Placement Test") amounting to a total of 13 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.
Recommended course of study
The recommended course of study outlined below shows you an exemplary list of the courses you should attend in the first two semesters in order to create a good knowledge base and take the necessary examinations if you want to complete your studies within the minimum period of study. Certain courses are only offered once per academic year, but examinations can be taken on specific dates throughout the year. Some courses are offered in parallel at different time slots during the week so that there are enough places for all students – decide on a course here and register for it.
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.
1st semester (Starting in the winter semester)
| DESIGNATION | SUBJECT | ECTS CREDITS | COURSE TITLE | TYPE OF COURSE |
| STEOP (Introductory and orientation period) |
Required subject 1.1 | 1 | Placement Test | FP* |
| Required subject 1.2 | 3 | Introduction to Linguistics I | VO | |
| Required subject 1.3 | 3 | Introduction to Literary Studies I | PS* | |
| Required subject 1.4 | 3 | British Culture: History and Society (in the winter semester)
or American Culture: History and Society (in the summer semester) or Postcolonial Cultures: History and Society |
VO | |
| Required subject 1.5 | 3 | Introduction to Academic Language Studies | KS* | |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Language | Required subject 2.1 | 3 | Language Awareness I | KS* |
| Required subject 2.2 | 3 | Language Productive and Receptive Skills | KS* | |
| Required subject 2.3 | 3 | English for Academic Purposes | KS* | |
| Required subject 2.4 | 3 | Pronunciation | KS* | |
| Required subjects, Guided electives D/E, Open electives | 5 | Choose from the courses of the Required subjects, the Guided electives D/E or the Open electives (see curriculum §§ 9, 10 and 11) | ||
| Total | 30 |
* Compulsory attendance
2nd semester
| DESIGNATION | SUBJECT | ECTS CREDITS | COURSE TITLE | TYPE OF COURSE |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Language | Required subject 2.5 | 3 | Language Awareness II** | KS* |
| Required subject 2.6 | 3 | Advanced Language Productive and Receptive Skills** | KS* | |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Linguistics | Required subject 3.1 | 3 | Introduction to Linguistics II** | VO |
| Required subject 3.2 | 3 | Development of English | VO | |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Literature | Required subject 4.1 | 3 | Introduction to Literary Studies II** | PS* |
| Required subject 4.2 | 3 | Literary Terminology and Practice of Interpretation | VO | |
| Basic Studies Culture | Required subject 5.1 | 3 | Topics in British Cultural Studies (Choose a course) | PS* |
| Required subjects, Guided electives D/E, Open electives | 9 | Choose from the courses of the Required subjects, the Guided electives D/E or the Open electives (see curriculum §§ 9, 10 and 11) | ||
| Total | 30 |
* Compulsory attendance
** For these courses, the completion of courses from the first semester is a prerequisite for participation. Detailed information can be found in the course description in the student portal and in the curriculum under § 13.
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. For more information on international mobility during your degree programme, please refer to Section 7 of the curriculum.
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.
Internship
You can substitute the guided elective subject D (12 ECTS credits) with an internship in a country where English is used as lingua franca. This internship must be completed during the course of the degree programme and should comprise at least 300 hours. It is the responsibility of the competent programme director to decide whether the internship qualifies for recognition. Please refer to section 10 of the curriculum for more information.
Starting in the winter semester of 2026/27, the Bachelor’s degree programme Worlds of English will feature a new curriculum.
Your Bachelor’s degree programme consists of required courses totalling 90 ECTS credits, guided elective courses amounting to 48 ECTS credits, a Bachelor’s thesis worth 12 ECTS credits, and a minor amounting to 30 ECTS credits.
| Subject | Designation | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Subjects | Introductory and Orientation Period (STEOP) | 12 |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Language | 27 | |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Linguistics | 15 | |
| Basic and Advanced Studies Literature | 15 | |
| Basic Studies Culture | 9 | |
| Advanced Studies | 18 | |
| Guided Electives | Linguistically Oriented Electives | 12 |
| Litrature and Cultural Studies Oriented Electives | 12 | |
| Specialisation | 12 | |
| Diversity & Gender | 12 | |
| Bachelor‘s Thesis | 6 | |
| Minor | Choose one minor | 30 |
| Total | 180 | |
You can customise your Bachelor’s programme by selecting a minor worth 30 ECTS credits, allowing you to tailor your studies to your personal interests and career goals.
Choose the minor that best suits your interests from the fields of culture, languages, technology, economics & management, law or society.
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
Available from winter semester 2026/27
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
Available from winter semester 2026/27
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
Available from winter semester 2026/27
Available from winter semester 2026/27
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
Available from winter semester 2026/27
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
Available from winter semester 2026/27
For detailed information on the language of instruction and possible combinations of individual minors, please refer to the individual minor pages.
EN = conducted in English | DE or EN = conducted in German or English
Information on the minors available from winter semester 2026/27 will be published shortly.
As of February 2026. Subject to change.
Admission to the degree programme must take place before the end of the general admission period (winter semester: 5 September | summer semester: 5 February).
A late admission until 31 October (winter semester) or 31 March (summer semester) can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
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.
We won’t abandon you, especially at the start of your studies!
Once you have completed the Bachelor's degree programme in Worlds of English at the University of Klagenfurt, you have the option to continue your studies with one of the following degree programmes, to give just a few examples. The choice is yours:
Is this the right degree programme for me?
Do you love to read books in English? Do you prefer to watch British films and series in their original language? Then a degree in Worlds of English could be interesting for you. Consider this: Choosing a degree programme or an occupation is a long-term process, and it’s ok to take plenty of time over it. If you would like some help with your decision, you can contact Student Counselling Services and make an appointment for a free consultation.
How do I start my academic studies at the University of Klagenfurt?
Our check list will help you to get started. We have compiled everything you need to know here – from registering online right up to enrolling for a degree programme.
Is it possible/mandatory to spend a semester abroad as part of this degree programme?
As a student of Worlds of English , you will certainly be interested in other countries, cultures and languages. We therefore warmly recommend that students complete part of their studies abroad. The experience you gain during your time abroad is a vital element of our cultural understanding.
We have a network of over 250 partner universities worldwide. If you would like to study somewhere else for a while, the world is yours to explore – make the most of this opportunity! You can find detailed information at: Study abroad
Can I work while I study?
The degree programme has not been designed for students who work part-time, though many of our students do work. It depends on your own ability to organise and your flexibility whether this is feasible for you. Some courses take place weekly and involve an attendance of approximately 2 hours. Others are blocked, e.g. over a weekend, from 9 to 5. You can create your own individual schedule. If you are looking for help with this, the ÖH (Austrian National Union of Students) can assist you!
Where can I find additional information? Who can I contact with questions?
Please refer to the Curriculum (PDF) and our website for further information on all aspects of studying. If you have additional questions, you can also contact the Programme Director directly.