Binational Science in Chemistry (German-French)

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: German
Deadline: Jun 30, 2025
158 place StudyQA ranking:5496 Duration:3 years
Our Bachelor's programme pursues a profound education in chemistry. The basic education given in this course is especially interesting for the French participants, as the first three semesters at the University of Paris 7 will give them a broader knowledge in chemistry, physics, biology, informatics, and geosciences, whereas the education in the German-French Bachelor's programme will allow them to specialise further in chemistry (inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry).
This programme is geared towards high school graduates who are interested in specialised studies in chemistry from the beginning of their studies, as this is not possible in France.
After the participants have spent three semesters in Bielefeld and have gained a broad knowledge of physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry as well as biochemistry, they complete their studies in Paris. There they are able to benefit from the excellence of the UFR de Chimie at Paris 7. Participants will gain detailed knowledge of theoretical, physical, and inorganic chemistry as well as biochemistry.
The Bachelor's thesis is written in the sixth semester. The thesis can be written at the University of Bielefeld or at the University of Paris 7.

Educational organisation

The Bachelor's programme is divided into two consecutive phases of three semesters each. The first semester will be held in Bielefeld while the final semester is in Paris.
Students will start in Bielefeld by attending lecture courses on theory and practical experience of "Allgemeine Chemie" (basic chemistry), mathematics and physics in the first and second semesters. Students will receive 40 ECTS for attending "Allgemeine Chemie", 10 ECTS for mathematics, and 10 ECTS for physics. In "Allgemeine Chemie", the students will learn about inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. In the third semester, the participants will broaden their knowledge in organic chemistry (12 ECTS). Biochemistry is another obligatory lecture course (5 ECTS). In the third semester, the students have the opportunity to choose between courses in bioinorganic and physical chemistry (5 ECTS each). Students will be credited with 8 ECTS for the Individual Supplementary Study Module. In this module, students can choose seminars from any other subject at the university, e.g. improving their language skills or taking part in biology courses.
In Paris, students will deepen their knowledge in physical, theoretical, and inorganic chemistry (15 ECTS in the fourth and fifth semesters, 12 ECTS in the sixth semester). In addition, the participants will prepare their Bachelor's thesis (15 ECTS). Students have to select from courses in environmental chemistry, analytic chemistry, theoretical chemistry, materials science, and pharmaceutical chemistry (12 ECTS). Students will be given 6 ECTS for the Individual Supplementary Study Module. Obligatory language courses (6 ECTS) are offered in the fourth and fifth semesters, where students may choose from English, German, and French.

Study abroad unit(s)

Participants spend three semesters (first to third) in Bielefeld, Germany, and three semesters (fourth to sixth) in Paris, France.

Internships

Internships are an obligatory part of the curriculum.

Forms of assessment

Credit points are awarded for written or oral examinations in the theory courses and for writing lab journals in the practical courses.

Course objectives

Binational Bachelor's degree

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their French and German (preferably beyond the level of the "Zertifikat Deutsch") language skills; German: TestDaF 4 or DSH II.
Exemptions from examination in German may be gained by presenting one of the following qualifications: Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom, Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom, Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK) der Stufe II, Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) of the Goethe Institute, Prüfung zum Nachweis deutscher Sprachkenntnisse (PNdS), Feststellungsprüfung from Studienkolleg, school-leaving qualifications from a German-language secondary school in a foreign country, or proof of at least ten years of school attendance in Germany.

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

General qualification for university entrance
Applicants must provide:
  • curriculum vitae with photo
  • letter of motivation

Enrolment fees

Currently approx. 270 EUR per semester, including a ticket for public transport in the city of Bielefeld and the whole state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Costs of living

The following monthly costs can be expected: the rent in a student hall of residence, in private halls, rooms, or flats amounts to about 300 EUR per month; health insurance is about 80 EUR per month; and a meal in the students' canteen (Mensa) costs less than 3 EUR. According to lifestyle, about 150 EUR per month can be expected to be spent on food. So the cost of living amounts to approx. 670 EUR monthly, i.e. some 8,000 EUR per year.

Job opportunities

Basically, international students are allowed to work parallel to their studies for 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a work permit once they have successfully completed preparations for their studies and started a course.
A limited number of jobs are available at the university; however, jobs for students can also be found in companies in and around Bielefeld.

Funding opportunities within the university

The "Deutsch-Französische Hochschule" (German-French University) offers fellowships of 270 EUR for five months during the stay at the partner university.
http://www.dfh-ufa.org/

Arrival support

A personal tutoring programme is offered by the International Office (please see http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/International/Students/).

Services and support for international students

Bielefeld University offers a personal tutoring programme for all international freshmen and participants of the German language courses. The so-called Brother-Sister Programme arranges for support from a more advanced student who accompanies the newcomer in getting to know the university campus and relevant institutions at Bielefeld University, in exploring the city, and in getting over the hurdles of registration and other bureaucratic formalities. The International Office of Bielefeld University also offers a wide range of cultural events and excursions for international students.
For further details, please see: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/io.
Special support for international students focusing on everyday and academic language skills is provided at university level by the university project "PunktUm". PunktUm offers a wide range of German courses that provide students with knowledge of German culture and aim at helping them integrate into life at the university and in German society in general. Additional cultural activities are part of the programme.
For further details, please see: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/punktum.

Accommodation

In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices.
Housing options include 17 halls of residence, which are run by the public "Studentenwerk" and private organisations. Additionally, single apartments as well as rooms in shared flats with other students are available. The rent for a room in Bielefeld amounts to about 180 to 300 EUR per month. The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.
Similar programs:
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Deadline: Nov 1, 2025 251–300 place StudyQA ranking: 6501
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 3.52 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 25, 2025 201–250 place StudyQA ranking: 4702
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 8.77 k / program Foreign:$ 11.4 k / program
601–800 place StudyQA ranking: 4308
Study mode:On campus Languages: Italian
Local:$ 1.05 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 1.05 k / Year(s)
401–500 place StudyQA ranking: 6166
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 5.37 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 27, 2025 401–500 place StudyQA ranking: 6705