It is my very first day at the Department of English – Where do I have to go?

An information meeting for all freshers will be held on the first day of the autumn term, 15-9-2025, at 18:15 h in the lecture hall ("Grosser Hörsaal" on the ground floor of the courtyard/rear building) at the Department of English (Nadelberg 6). We strongly advise you to attend and take the opportunity to get to know members of staff and student groups as well as ask all sorts of questions you may have.

As preparation for the meeting, please download and familiarize yourself with the following documents:

-        Sample Study Plan: This document explains what courses to attend each semester and how to plan your studies;

-        Study Plan BA English: This is the legal document that regulates your studies;

-        Handbook BA English: This document explains the study plan.

Please do not forget to enrol for your compulsory courses (cf. below). Please note that some of your compulsory courses may already start in the morning and afternoon of that first day.

What do I have to know before starting my studies?

For useful information concerning the start of your studies consult the university's website.

How do I enrol for courses?

Freshers have to enrol for the four compulsory first-semester courses (see below) in the university's Online Services and on additional ADAM registration surveys where required (please consult course descriptions in Course Directory).

When can I start my studies?

BA Students begin their studies in the autumn. While it is possible to start in spring, it might prolong your studies.

Compulsory courses

Students in their first semester should sign up for the following four compulsory courses. Please search for the courses in the Course Directory or click on the course numbers below:

• Proseminar 35015, Introduction to English Linguistics I: Structure and use  (several sections from which to choose). In order to ensure a good learning environment, we aim at no more than 25 students per class [3 sections]. We ask you to sign up via the ADAM registration survey for this course: https://adam.unibas.ch/goto_adam_crs_1623802.html. The registration surveys will open on 4^th August 2025, 10am (CEST) and close on 19^th September 2025, 2pm (CEST).Once you have signed up in the ADAM registration survey, please then enrol electronically for the corresponding section in services.unibas.ch, the system that allows you to receive your credit points.
• Lecture 28850, Research Methodology in Linguistics  (Tuesday 10–12, give this course priority). Please enrol in services.unibas.ch. for this course.
• Proseminar 35016, Introduction I: Literary Studies  (several sections from which to choose). In order to ensure a good learning environment, we aim at no more than 25 students per class [3 sections]. We ask you to sign up via the ADAM registration survey for this course: https://adam.unibas.ch/goto_adam_crs_1623802.html. The registration surveys will open on 4^th August 2025, 10am (CEST) and close on 19^th September 2025, 2pm (CEST).Once you have signed up in the ADAM registration survey, please then enrol electronically for the corresponding section in services.unibas.ch, the system that allows you to receive your credit points.
• Course35011, Academic Writing in English I  (4 sections from which to choose, cf. course description). Please sign up in services.unibas.ch by 1^st September 2025. The number of participants in each section is strictly limited to 20. If a section is full, you must sign up for one of the alternative sections. You may not register for more than one of the parallel courses.

Please refer to the autumn term's Course Directory for detailed course descriptions.

Note that your course of studies is regulated by a number of regulations and guidelines, as well as the official Handbook for the BA English.

Who is who?

If you want to know who works at the Department of English or if you want to contact a member of staff click here.