Frequently Asked Questions

Please also have a look at our Regulations, exams, tips webpage (or alternatively at our vademecum for BALET students [pdf]) for detailed information on how to navigate your way through your 1st year with us. This will most likely also answer most questions you might have regarding the study plan.

  • I will start this autumn semester, which courses do I have to choose?
    • If you are a BALET student, you will find the list of available courses here
    • If you are a BASI student, you will find the list of available courses here
  • How do I obtain credits from the lecture courses in modules BA4 and BA5; do I have to take an exam?

    For BALET students, regular attendance alone will earn you 3 ECTS credits (i.e., no exam is required).

    Important: even if there is no written test, you must still register for the 'exam' of those lecture courses on MyUnifr, otherwise we cannot enter your attendance credits.

  • Do I have to take the exam for a Lecture?

    BASI students, MOBILITY students, and students taking a Lecture as Softskills (CTC) need to take the exam.

    For Mobility students: whether we give you a grade or not depends on the requirements set by your home institution, so please inform us accordingly.

    For students taking the lecture as Softskills: whether we give you a grade depends on the study plan of your major, so please inform us accordingly.

  • What does the Module One exam consist of?

    The module exam in Module One: Foundations consists of three distinct components. You have to pass each component to validate the entire module exam (worth 6 ECTS). The grade of the module exam combines all three parts. Each of the three components of the exam is linked to one of the courses you took as part of that module (1 Lecture course in Linguistics + 1 Lecture Course in Philology + 1 Proseminar in Linguistics or Philology).

  • What does the Module Two exam consist of?

    The module exam in Module Two: Foundations consists of three distinct components. You have to pass each component to validate the entire module exam (worth 6 ECTS). The grade of the module exam combines all three parts. Each of the three components of the exam is linked to one of the courses you took as part of that module (1 Lecture course in English Literature+ 1 Lecture Course in American Literature+ 1 Proseminar in Introduction to Literary Studies).

  • What do I do if two classes take place at the same time?

    BALET (120 credits) students should give priority to courses within their major study plan, because these need to be completed within 4 semesters.

    Please remember that you need to have fulfilled all the requirements of the First Year exam of your major within 4 semesters.

  • For Module 3 I need two WAP and two PE classes; when can I start them?

    Writing for Academic Purposes (WAP) and Proficiency English (PE) classes have to be started in fall.

  • I am planning to write a BA/MA thesis. How do I start?

    Students have the option of a BA thesis, a comprehensive BA oral exam, or an applied project. Consult with your potential supervisor to see which option is best suited to your strengths and future requirements. The first step in writing a thesis is to identify your research area of interest, find a topic, and contact an instructor about your idea. You will then discuss details about the form and content of your project with him or her. A BA or MA thesis is an independent piece of written work. Supervisors will be happy to help you if you face difficulties, but they will not do the work for you. It is advisable to contact your potential supervisor in good time, e.g. at the end of the semester prior to the one in which you plan to work on your BA/MA thesis.

  • When do I need to register for the BA thesis or the Comprehensive Oral Exam or the Applied Project?

    Students need to consult their supervisors before registering for either option. They need to register on MyUnifr at the beginning of a semester and submit the thesis/project or take the exam at the end of the semester.

  • Who should I contact regarding course equivalencies and credit transfers from other Universities?

    The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) applies within Europe. The first step is to go the English department and check if you are eligible to go abroad. Then to go to the international relations office, who will give you a learning agreement that the English student counsellor will have to sign. Once you have selected the courses you will take abroad, the relevant Fribourg professors will have to agree to recognise the classes you take during your mobility stay. The credits and grades will have to fit in the English study plan. The final learning agreement must be signed by the Head of the department. Upon your return, the Professors will recognise the credits and grades that will be entered by the student administrator.

  • Where do I find information (forms, letters, etc.) about study abroad programmes and existing partnerships with UNIFR?
    • All information about student exchange programmes is available on the website of the International Relations Office.
    • Our department is affiliated with the following academic institutions abroad (please check with the International Office whether student exchanges apply):

       

      • University of Arizona, Tucson (USA)
      • University of Mississippi (USA)
      • University of Nebraska at Omaha (USA)
      • Lancaster University (UK)
      • Bangor University (UK)
  • When can I go abroad for an exchange semester?

    Ideally, when BA modules 1, 2 and 3 are completed.

  • What can I do with a degree in English?

    There are countless career options open to English graduates. Over the course of your degree programme you will acquire a number of transferable skills and these will open up opportunities in careers such as journalism, advertising, publishing, editing and public relations. You may also wish to consider becoming a librarian, working in museums or in cultural affairs. You will develop your skills of analysis during your degree in English and these will equip you for further study in fields such as law, politics and diplomacy. And of course, English graduates make excellent teachers.

  • What are the DEEM I and DEEM II requirements?

    You will find the DEEM I, II and Single Discipline requirements below.

    Links:

    Requirements for becoming a teacher of English:

    • Link: Règlement du 19 septembre 2024 concernant les conditions d’admission complémentaires à la Faculté des sciences de l’éducation et de la formation / Reglement über die zusätzlichen Zulassungsbedingungen an der Fakultät für Erziehungs- und Bildungswissenschaften vom 19. September 2024
    • Exigences concernant la formation scientifique de la discipline d'enseignement 1 (our discipline d'enseignement unique) / Anforderungen an die Fachwissenschaftliche Ausbildung im Unterrichtsfach 1 (oder Einzalfach):
      • (FR) 1.2 Anglais: Filière d’études complète (Bachelor et Master) en Langue et littérature anglaises. Cette formation doit inclure: a) au minimum 120 crédits ECTS dans cette branche d’études, dont au minimum 60 crédits ECTS au niveau Master; b) au minimum 45 crédits ECTS en linguistique et philologie ; c) au minimum 45 crédits ECTS en littérature. Le niveau de langue C2 est attesté selon le Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues.
      • (DE): 1.2 Englisch: Abgeschlossener Studiengang (Bachelor und Master) in Englischen Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaften. Diese Ausbildung umfasst: a) mindestens 120 ECTS-Kreditpunkte in dieser Studienrichtung, davon mindestens 60 ECTS-Kreditpunkte auf Master-Niveau;; b) mindestens 45 ECTS-Kreditpunkte in Linguistik und Philologie; c) mindestens 45 ECTS-Kreditpunkte in Literatur. Das Sprachniveau C2 ist gemäss dem Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmens für Sprachen bestätigt.
    • Exigences concernant la formation scientifique de la discipline d'enseignement  2 / Anforderungen an die Fachwissenschaftliche Ausbildung im Unterrichtsfach 2:
      • (FR) 2.2 Anglais: Cette formation doit inclure: a) 90 crédits ECTS dans la branche d’études langue et littérature anglaises, dont au minimum 30 crédits ECTS au niveau Master; b) au minimum 30 crédits ECTS en linguistique et philologie; c) au minimum 30 crédits ECTS en littérature. Le niveau de langue C2 est attesté selon le Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues.
      • (DE) 2.2 Englisch Diese Ausbildung umfasst: a) 90 ECTS-Kreditpunkte in der Studienrichtung Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaften, davon mindestens 30 ECTS-Kreditpunkte auf Master-Niveau; b) mindestens 30 ECTS-Kreditpunkte in Linguistik und Philologie; c) mindestens 30 ECTS-Kreditpunkte in Literatur. Das Sprachniveau C2 ist gemäss dem Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmens für Sprachen bestätig.

  • How and where can I get an official transcript of my record ?

    Official transcripts are only issued by the Dean's office, so please get in touch with them directly at this email address: lettres@unifr.ch