German as a Foreign Language and German Linguistics and Literature

The Master's programme consists of the following modules:

• Orientierungsmodul/Orientation (seminar, lecture)
• Deutsch als Fremdsprache/Deutsch als Zweitsprache: Theorien und Modelle/German as a foreign language/German as a second language: theories and models (lecture, tutorial)
• Grundlagenmodul: Germanistische Sprachwissenschaft/German linguistics: theoretical basis (seminars)
• Grundlagenmodul: Germanistische Literaturwissenschaft/German literature: theoretical basis (seminars)

Profil 1: Deutsch als Fremdsprache/Deutsch als Zweitsprache und germanistische Linguistik/Profile 1: German as a Foreign Language/German as a Second Language and German Linguistics

• Sprachlehr- und -lernforschung/Second language teaching and learning research (seminars)
• Entwicklungen in der Sprach- und Kulturvermittlung/Current trends in the teaching of language and culture (seminars)
• Germanistische Linguistik/German linguistics (seminars)
• Forschungs- und Anwendungsmodul/Research and application module (seminar, research project, mentoring internship)
• Mastermodul/Master's module (colloquium, lecture)
• Individueller Ergänzungsbereich/Individual studies

OR

Profil 2: Deutsch als Fremdsprache/Deutsch als Zweitsprache und germanistische Literaturwissenschaft/Profile 2: German as a Foreign Language/German as a Second Language and German Literature

• Sprachlehr- und -lernforschung/Second language teaching and learning research (seminars)
• Entwicklungen in der Sprach- und Kulturvermittlung/Current trends in the teaching of language and culture (seminars)
• Germanistische Literaturwissenschaft/German literature (seminars)
• Forschungs- und Anwendungsmodul/Research and application module (seminar, research project, mentoring internship)
• Mastermodul/Master's module (colloquium, lecture)
• Individueller Ergänzungsbereich/Individual studies

Educational organisation

Courses take the form of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Independent work as well as active participation in academic discourse is expected and encouraged.

Internships

An internship is not obligatory, but strongly recommended.

Forms of assessment

• Seminar paper
• independent study
• study/research project plus presentation
• oral exam
• written exam
• Master's thesis plus final oral exam (colloquium)

Course objectives

The participants will acquire a broad range of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, including:

• knowledge of current trends in the fields of foreign/second language teaching and learning research, second language acquisition research, German linguistics and literature, cultural studies and methods of research
• skills in evaluating recent developments and concepts in the above-mentioned fields
• skills in teaching basic knowledge in the fields of linguistics, language teaching, and learning research to students in the BA programme
• skills in practical application of research methods and methodology

Language requirements

Good knowledge of German is required and must be documented with a TestDaF certificate with at least a level 4 result, a GDS or KDS certificate (Großes/Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom), a DSH certificate (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber) with at least level 2, or equivalent. English reading skills are required.

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

A university degree (BA) in German as a Foreign Language or in German Philology (duration of studies: six semesters), or equivalent

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.

Arrival support

The International Office (see address below) will provide all important information and, if necessary, will provide assistance with orientation in Bielefeld and studying at the university or with topics such as accommodation and events for students from abroad. It also offers a wide range of cultural events and excursions for international students.
Additionally, Bielefeld University offers a personal tutoring programme for all foreign 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 campus and relevant institutions at Bielefeld University, in exploring the city, and in getting over the hurdles of registration and other bureaucratic formalities.
For further information, see: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/International/Students/index.html
Furthermore, the faculty and the department provide all relevant information, including orientation programmes before the semester starts.

Services and support for international students

"PunktUm" offers a language support programme including seminars and workshops developed for the specific academic and linguistic needs of students at different levels during their studies. These modules are geared towards the distinct academic requirements students are confronted with (giving presentations, essay-writing, outline-writing, thesis-writing etc.).
For further information, see: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/Universitaet/Studium/Studienbegleitende%20Angebote/Punktum/

Accommodation

In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices.
There are 17 halls of residence 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.