Modern Greek Language and Literature

"Greek the language they gave me; poor the house on Homer's shores."

Degree programme objectives

The study of Modern Greek Language and Literature opens a way for its students for comprehensive knowledge of modern Greek culture from its beginnings in the 19th century up to the present. It leads to a thorough acquisition of Modern Greek, which enables the students to apply it practically in the form of cultivated way of speaking and writing, reading of Greek works in their original language or, translation from and into Modern Greek. Reading literary works, students will get acquainted with the works of world-famous Modern Greek authors (e.g. Kazantzakis, Kavafis), whose intellectual heritage forms an integral part of European culture.

The curriculum of study programme also contains several specialized courses supplementing and developing students’ language skills, especially courses focused on modern Greek life and customs and modern Greek literature, culture, and history. The study programme as a whole aims at providing comprehensive knowledge of Modern Greek and the culture and history of Greece.

The Bachelor study programme in minor study plan is intended mainly for the students of the study programmes related to the area of the Balkan Peninsula or more generally to the Mediterranean (e.g. Balkan Languages and Literatures, Classical Archaeology, Ancient Greek Language and Literature) or, for the students occupying themselves with the area of Greece within their field of study (e.g. History, Ethnology). The aim of the minor study plan is the acquisition of Modern Greek as a source language or as means of communication (at B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

The study of Modern Greek in major study plan or as a single-subject study (completus) leads the students to acquiring deeper knowledge and skills in Modern Greek language (B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), literature and history including fundamental knowledge of older stages of Greek and its cultural and historical development (Classical and Byzantine literature, basic knowledge of Ancient Greek).

Because of international cooperation with almost all universities in Greece and Cyprus, the students of all study plans may improve and apply their knowledge of the language, life, and institutions in Greece (via summer language and educational courses, Erasmus+ mobilities) during their studies. These study stays prepare students for the active use of language and lead them to independent creative activities. They also enable students to gain contacts with their future employers.

Study plans

Modern Greek Language and Literature

full-time, single-subject

Modern Greek Language and Literature

full-time, major

Modern Greek Language and Literature

full-time, minor

Admission Procedures
Admission to Bachelor's and long-cycle Master's degree programmes in 2026/2027
Submission deadline until midnight 28/2/2026

Information on entrance examinations designed for this degree programme
This programme is accredited in Czech. The teaching languages are Czech and partly Modern Greek (especially in grammar and practical language lessons, literary seminars etc.). The programme requires students to have at least B2 knowledge of Czech or Slovak.

The criteria for admission for studies are the results of the Learning Potential Test (TSP). Applicants may also be admitted based on other criteria, see Admission without the Entrance Examination. The Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University disregards the results of SCIO National Comparative Examinations.

You can file your e-applications for studies from 1 November to 28 February.
The date and time of the examination will be stated in the electronic invitation for the examination, which will be uploaded to your e-application. The faculty will not be sending paper invitations. Applicants applying for the major study plan and minor study plan in a combined study must comply with the conditions for admission into both plans.
Learning Potential Test (TSP)

This test is only in Czech. For up-to-date information, click here

Field of Study Examination

For admission for studies of this degree programme, you do not need to take the Field of Study Examination.

Admission without the entrance examination
You may be exempt from the entrance examination based on at least one of the following criteria:
1. submission of a confirmation of participation in a “foreign language competition” organized by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Latin) from the regional round onwards;
2. submission of a certificate of completion of the “International Modern Greek Examination”, level “A1 young people, adults” or higher, or another certificate of knowledge of Modern Greek - to be assessed on an individual basis;
3. secondary school results with an average up to 1.5 in the following four profile subjects: Czech/ Slovak, two foreign languages, history.
Secondary school results may be applied for an exemption from the entrance examination by those applicants whose average grade was 1.5 or higher in each of the four profile subjects. The total average result in all subjects is not taken into consideration. Secondary school seminars are also disregarded. The average grade of each profile subject is calculated based on the results of the last four years of study in the following way: the mid-year grade is calculated from the final year, whereas the final grades are calculated from the previous three years. It is also necessary that applicants have studied each of the profile subjects for at least two years during the last four years.
Enter your grades in your e-application. Then print the grades out and let your secondary school certify them with a stamp and a signature. Upload the scan of the certified grades into your e-application. You can also upload officially certified school reports or any other documents certifying your school results.
Please upload the officially certified documents directly to your e-application in the section Application for the Exemption from the Entrance Examination no later than 28 February.
Evaluation criteria valid for the applicants applying for a place on this degree programme
Limit for TSP percentile for successfully passing the entrance examination: 40

Studies

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Objectives
The study of Modern Greek Language and Literature opens a way for its students for comprehensive knowledge of modern Greek culture from its beginnings in the 19th century up to the present. It leads to a thorough acquisition of Modern Greek, which enables the students to apply it practically in the form of cultivated way of speaking and writing, reading of Greek works in their original language or, translation from and into Modern Greek. Reading literary works, students will get acquainted with the works of world-famous Modern Greek authors (e.g. Kazantzakis, Kavafis), whose intellectual heritage forms an integral part of European culture.
The curriculum of study programme also contains several specialized courses supplementing and developing students’ language skills, especially courses focused on modern Greek life and customs and modern Greek literature, culture, and history. The study programme as a whole aims at providing comprehensive knowledge of Modern Greek and the culture and history of Greece.
The Bachelor study programme in minor study plan is intended mainly for the students of the study programmes related to the area of the Balkan Peninsula or more generally to the Mediterranean (e.g. Balkan Languages and Literatures, Classical Archaeology, Ancient Greek Language and Literature) or, for the students occupying themselves with the area of Greece within their field of study (e.g. History, Ethnology). The aim of the minor study plan is the acquisition of Modern Greek as a source language or as means of communication (at B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
The study of Modern Greek in major study plan or as a single-subject study (completus) leads the students to acquiring deeper knowledge and skills in Modern Greek language (B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), literature and history including fundamental knowledge of older stages of Greek and its cultural and historical development (Classical and Byzantine literature, basic knowledge of Ancient Greek).
Because of international cooperation with almost all universities in Greece and Cyprus, the students of all study plans may improve and apply their knowledge of the language, life, and institutions in Greece (via summer language and educational courses, Erasmus+ mobilities) during their studies. These study stays prepare students for the active use of language and lead them to independent creative activities. They also enable students to gain contacts with their future employers.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the programme, the graduate is able to:
- use acquired language skills in written and spoken communication at B2 level for the single-subject and major study plans, and at B1 level for the minor study plan, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
- understand extended utterances, lectures, and more complex discussions conducted by native speakers in Modern Greek on topics sufficiently familiar to the graduate;
- perform both active and passive translation with the aid of a dictionary and interpret the translated text at a basic level;
- read and understand Modern Greek texts and Modern Greek literature in the original with the aid of a dictionary;
- use basic Czech and Greek linguistic and literary-theoretical terminology and independently search for discipline-related information and bibliographies;
- identify the main trends in Greek literary development from Byzantium to the present (the single-subject and major study plans: with emphasis on the 19th–21st centuries) and situate them within a global literary context;
- characterise the work of major Modern Greek authors and place it within both Greek and world literary contexts;
- analyse and interpret key works of Greek literature from the specified periods;
- demonstrate sound knowledge of the historical development of modern Greece in the 19th–20th centuries and relate this knowledge to world history;
- be familiar with Modern Greek cultural realia and understand their historical and cultural context;
- write shorter, coherent texts on subject-specific topics.
Occupational Profiles of Graduates
The graduates of this Bachelor’s study programme can use their skills in many careers and job roles. They are properly qualified to work in tourism and commerce where a good command of Modern Greek is necessary (travel agencies, guiding, commercial sector, banking sector), in both Greece and the Czech Republic. Besides, they can work for language and translation agencies, non-profit organizations active in Greece within international aid (Charity, Czech Red Cross), participate in organising of cultural and promotional events related to Greece (concerts, folklore festivals, fairs) and work in institutions arranging international contacts (embassies, consulates, chamber of commerce, etc.).
Since the study programme focuses on the acquisition of language skills, the graduates are also eligible for careers in a wide range of professions within the cultural and media sector. The graduates are also qualified for professions requiring general knowledge, independence, critical thinking skills, and a good command of foreign languages.
Graduates can increase their career opportunities by graduating from additional study programmes.
Goals of Theses
A standard scope of a Bachelor's thesis is 70,000 characters including footnotes, table of contents, index, bibliography and Modern Greek summary. The student chooses the topic of his/her thesis by him/herself from the list of topics available in IS MU ("Topic lists"), or after an arrangement with his/her supervisor. In Bachelor's thesis, the student proves his/her ability to find the bibliography relevant to the given topic, excerpt from it and critically assess it in relation to the treated topic. The student may also work with electronic sources and databases (relating to the topic). Then, he/she interprets the data obtained and draws corresponding conclusions. The student also proves his/her ability to summarize the outcomes of his/her workin Modern Greek.
Access to Further Studies
After completion of the Bachelor’s studies, it is possible to continue further studies in any Master’s degree programme (after satisfying the admission requirements).
At the Faculty of Arts of MU, it is possible to continue the study of Modern Greek by studying the two-year specialisation in Translation of Modern Greek in the follow-up Master's programme Translation of Modern European Languages (formerly Translation of Romance and Germanic Languages): https://is.muni.cz/program/24311/prekladatelstvi-romanskych-a-germanskych-jazyku.