Oral Exams

Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the University of Hamburg are concluded with an oral exam. The purpose of the exam is to determine whether students have acquired the knowledge and skills to analyse and interpret linguistic data at an appropriate level. There are always two examiners, the first of whom is also the primary advisor for the BA or MA thesis. Most or all of the questions in the exam are usually provided by the first examiner, while the second examiner may ask additional questions. We strive for an environment that allows students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge as much and as freely as possible.

Except for the MOTION MA, students are asked to propose three topics (accompanied by three references each, none of which may have been published before the year 2000), of which I will choose two, which will then be covered in the exam. The literature that students propose as a basis for their oral exams should come from reputable publishers. For journal articles, a rule of thumb is that the journal should be listed in either of the following databases (one, two) - although this is not a hard and fast rule.

All exams are conducted in English. Further information, by degree:

• BEd/BA Englisch: 30 minutes, two topics

• MEd Englisch: tba, two topics

• MA ENGAGE: 15 minute presentation of thesis, followed by questions; two further topics; total duration of exam 45 minutes

• MA MOTION: 15 minute presentation of thesis, followed by questions; total duration of exam 45 minutes

• BA Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft: 30 minutes, two topics (exam in German)

• MA Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft: 45 minutes, presentation of thesis (10 minutes), followed by discussion and two separate topics (exam in German)

Oral exams may exceptionally be held online via Zoom. Candidates need to be alone in the room and may not use any resources or notes.