European Urban Studies (EU)

The postgraduate Master's course European Urban Studies offers interdisciplinary and international perspectives to deal with today's urban challenges. The programme consists of seminars, exercises, lectures, a study project, the Model Project, which is a guided internship, and the Master's colloquium.
The study project is 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 Model Project is a guided internship programme in the third semester, in which students are involved in various fields in order to reflect today's practice concerning urban strategies on a worldwide scale. These internships are realised in cooperation with outstanding practice partners representing the private sector, the public sector or the sector of applied sciences, and are subsequently presented within the international Model Project Forum.
The Master's colloquium is a platform for the interim presentation and discussion of the Master's thesis.

Educational organisation

The European Urban Studies 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. The curriculum consists of seminars, exercises, lectures, a study project, the Model Project and a Master's colloquium. During the first and second semesters, in-depth scientific and applied knowledge in the thematic context of European Urban Studies is conveyed. The third semester, oriented towards professional and interdisciplinary practice, is an internship semester. Currently, more than 40 international partners in Germany, Europe and overseas collaborate on the Model Project. The fourth semester is intended for the preparation and writing of the Master's thesis. This phase of research and writing is complemented by a colloquium. The Master's programme is completed with an oral Master's examination.

Study abroad unit(s)

Possible as part of the Model Project in the third semester (see educational organisation above)

Internships

The third semester is dedicated to professional practice in the Model Project. During this internship period (three to six months), students are involved in advanced urban projects which are conducted by more than 40 outstanding practice partners in Germany, Europe and overseas. They include scientific institutions, urban administrations, real estate developers, architectural and planning offices. Dedicated to international and transdisciplinary knowledge transfer, the projects are then presented at the annual Model Project Forum.
Individual guidance for scholarships in the internship period is offered.

Forms of assessment

Successful participation in seminars, lectures and projects is documented by the acquisition of credits for project work, special assignments, papers or examinations. The type and amount of 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 either be a written academic thesis or an annotated design project. Studies cover a total of 120 credits, including 26 credits for the Master's thesis.

Course objectives

The aim is to develop "urban curators" who are multidisciplinary experts on urban space, with academic as well as design/planning skills. Besides, mediation skills are strengthened in order to develop and facilitate urban strategies.

Language requirements

Good English language skills (e.g. TOEFL test minimum of 79 points iBT or similar), details upon request; acquisition of German language skills is recommended in order to orientate oneself in the host country

Academic requirements

Candidates must hold a degree in one of the following spatially 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 must pass an entrance examination, including an aptitude interview of approx. 30 minutes. International students living in areas not covered by the German Framework Act of Higher Education (Hochschulrahmengesetz) and who cannot attend the entrance examination will have their eligibility evaluated according to the documents submitted in their application, including working samples. A successful entrance examination is valid for two subsequent enrolment dates.

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

The following scholarships for students are available 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:
Campus.Office
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 26 42

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.