Advanced Urbanism (AdUrb)

What makes our cities liveable? Which challenges do they currently face? How may these problems be solved? Which different actors "make" the city? What are the conditions for spatial development? What are the differences between Chinese and European situations and processes?
These and similar questions are issues dealt with in the postgraduate Master's course "Advanced Urbanism" (AdUrb), an international and interdisciplinary academic programme offered by Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany, in collaboration with Tongji University in Shanghai, China.
The programme consists of seminars, exercises, lectures, a study project, courses in regional studies, a language course, and a Master's colloquium.
The study projects are designed to deal with specific urban and/or spatially-oriented issues, using both academic and planning/design skills in order to provide concepts and suggestions. Project work strengthens students' competences in interdisciplinary teamwork.
The Master's colloquium is a platform for the interim presentation and discussion of the Master's thesis.
Double degree of Master of Science (MSc) from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (Germany) and Master of Engineering, Urban Planning and Design from Tongji University Shanghai (China)

Educational organisation

The Master's course AdUrb is a joint programme conducted in collaboration with the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) at Tongji University in Shanghai, China.
The AdUrb programme is based on four study fields:
(1) town planning/urban design, (2) urban sociology, (3) project development (including informal project development), and (4) spatial planning (including planning law). In addition, students are trained in methodological techniques such as academic skills or moderation competences.
The first three semesters focus on in-depth scientific and applied knowledge in the thematic context of urban studies. The fourth semester is spent completing the Master's thesis. This phase of researching and writing is supported in the Master's colloquium. The programme is finalised with an oral Master's examination.
Students take classes at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (Germany) in the first and second semesters and at Tongji University in Shanghai (China) in the third and fourth semesters.

Study abroad unit(s)

During the third and fourth semesters, courses are held at the CAUP at Tongji University in Shanghai, China. Each university adapts the courses on offer according to local or nation-specific study contents.

Internships

Internships are not an obligatory part of the programme, but students are supported if they intend to do an internship.

Forms of assessment

Successful participation in seminars, lectures and projects is documented through the acquisition of credits for project work, special assignments, papers or examinations. The type and amount of appropriate coursework will be announced at the beginning of each semester. Completed performance records are the prerequisite for the Master's examination. The Master's thesis can be either a written academic thesis or an annotated design project. Studies comprise a total of 120 credits, including 27 credits for the Master's thesis.

Course objectives

The aim is to develop "urban curators", who are understood to be multidisciplinary experts on urban space, with academic expertise as well as design skills. In contrast to other programmes in the field of urban studies, students of the AdUrb programme possess a comprehensive understanding of structures and processes in China's urban and spatial development. Having lived in China for one year, students' intercultural knowledge and competences are also broadened.

Language requirements

Good English language skills (e.g. TOEFL test minimum of 79 points (internet-based) or similar), details upon request; acquisition of German language skills is recommended in order to orientate oneself in the host country, however, this is not an application requirement. Proof of Chinese language skills is not obligatory upon application. Participation in a Chinese language course is obligatory during the stay at the partner university in China.

Academic requirements

Candidates must hold a degree in one of the following space-related subject areas: architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, town and regional planning, civil engineering, geography, urban and architectural sociology, cultural studies, environmental science or a comparable spatially-oriented field of study. Furthermore, candidates need to pass an entrance examination, including an aptitude interview of approx. 30 minutes. The eligibility of foreign students living in areas not covered by the German Framework Act of Higher Education (Hochschulrahmengesetz) and who cannot attend the entrance examination will be evaluated according to the documents submitted in their application. A successful entrance examination is valid for two subsequent enrolment dates.
More details on the application requirements and the documents and forms to be handed in can be found at the website of the Institute for European Urban Studies at http://www.uni-weimar.de/ifeu.

Please note: applicants from China are required to apply directly to Tongji University in Shanghai for the AdUrb Study Course offered there.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

Approx. 160 EUR per semester. This is a contribution to student services and the student council. It further includes free regional transport, student discounts for meals at the university cafeteria, and theatre and museum tickets as well as many other activities. The additional fee for the student ID ("Thoska") is 20 EUR (one-time only fee).

Costs of living

In Weimar, living expenses tend to be lower than in larger German cities. We recommend that students budget at least 700 EUR per month.

Job opportunities

The programme is a full-time course. However, students may work alongside their studies in part-time student jobs. There are no fixed positions at the university, but there are job opportunities on an irregular basis. Besides, there are many planning and architectural offices in Weimar; some might need English-speaking support from students.

Funding opportunities within the university

Students have the opportunity to apply individually for various scholarships of foundations etc. The following scholarships for students are awarded directly through Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: Bauhaus Scholarship, Bauhaus President Scholarship for dedicated foreign students, scholarship awarded by the Association to Promote Students of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (upon recommendation only), Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship), STIBET Study Completion Grant.
Individual scholarships for full-time studies in Germany may be available in the respective home countries and should be applied for well in advance.
http://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/studies/financing-your-studies/financing-opportunities/

Arrival support

International Office
international-office@uni-weimar.de
Phone 1: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 63
Phone 2: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 73
Fax: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 75
http://www.uni-weimar.de/international
Address for visitors:
Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 15
99423 Weimar
Germany

Weimar International Network (WIN)
Information, services and buddy programme for international students prior to arrival
http://www.uni-weimar.de/projekte/win/

Services and support for international students

Academic support: Institute for European Urban Studies, Ms Dagmar Küthe
dagmar.kuethe@uni-weimar.de
Phone: +49 (0) 36 43-58 26 52
Fax: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 42
http://www.uni-weimar.de/ifeu

International Office
international-office@uni-weimar.de
Phone 1: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 63
Phone 2: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 73
Fax: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 75
http://www.uni-weimar.de/international
Address for visitors:
Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 15
99423 Weimar
Germany

Weimar International Network (WIN)
http://www.uni-weimar.de/win
WIN is an online platform of services for international students in Weimar. It offers useful information and events, fosters contact between international and German students and provides orientation for newcomers to Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
WIN offers helpful advice, links, and contact information. You can also register to participate in cultural exchange programmes and subscribe to the monthly newsletter "curious@bout Weimar." The calendar contains information about upcoming international events in Weimar and the surrounding region.
WIN is a project of the International Office of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, coordinated in cooperation with student services Thüringen and the student initiative Bauhaus Internationals.

Accommodation

The "Studentenwerk Thüringen" (student services Thuringia) administers approx. 1,100 apartments in Weimar. Monthly rates vary from 105-280 EUR. The university itself does not provide accommodation.

E-mail: wef@stw-thueringen.de
Phone: +49 (0)3 61-7 37 18 21
Visiting address: Weimar, Marienstraße 15 a
Website: http://www.stw-thueringen.de
Application: https://tl1host.de/SWJ/?lang_id=2

Typically, up to five students share living quarters. Students have their own bedrooms and share a kitchen and a bathroom. Most rooms are furnished (bed, desk, chair, cupboard, shelf), but kitchenware and appliances are not included. Mentors for international students provide assistance in settling in during the first couple of days and also organise events.

Students advertise private and shared flats on the university website ("Pinnwand"): http://www.uni-weimar.de.