German Studies

At the University of Regensburg, German Studies is divided into six areas:

• German Linguistics (Chair / Professorship)
• Medieval German Literary Studies (Chair / Professorship)
• Modern German Literary Studies (Chair NdL 1 / Chair NdL 2 / Professorship)
• Teaching German Language and Literature
• German as a Second Language/ Additional Language
• German as a Foreign Language

The first three areas are obligatory for students of all degree programs. Teaching German Language and Literature, on the other hand, is only to be studied by students pursuing teaching degrees. German as a Foreign Language (DaF) and German as a Second Language (DaZ) lead to an additional certificate; DaF can also be chosen as an area in our M.A. program German Studies.

Please visit the websites of the individual chairs or professorships to find out more about each area.

Advice for New Students

Some recommendations for a successful start at the German Department:

• Before each semester, the institute offers information sessions at the university’s orientation days. You will receive an invitation from the Registrar’s Office. Further information is also available here.
• To familiarize yourself with the structure of your degree program, visit the 'Study/Degree Programs' section on our website and select your degree. We recommend utilizing the 'Planning aids for the study structure' provided for each case.
• Courses suitable for incoming students are listed separately in the University Course Catalog. These courses are categorized in a subdirectory organized by degree.
• Some courses may require registration, including a specific admission process. Course details, including registration information, can be found in the course descriptions of the catalog. Registration for first-year courses is typically organized to allow guidance-seeking during orientation week, which usually take place from Monday to Thursday in the week prior to the start of the semester.
• If you are unable to attend the informative day for the first semester, please read our information sheet (available in German only) and follow the instructions .

For detailed information about starting your bachelor's or teacher's degree in German Studies, download 'Das ABC des Deutschstudiums' brochure (available in German only).

Initially, you will build upon your foundational knowledge, which you may have acquired during secondary school. This fundamental understanding is further developed during the "orientation phase," in the first two semesters. In this phase, you will familiarize yourself with a scholarly approach to and the methods of linguistics and literary studies, and you will gain an overview of the history of language and literature.
Once you will have acquired this essential toolkit, you will progress to more specialized subjects within the "in-depth" or "advanced modules."

Throughout your studies, you will participate in seminars, lectures, and exercises. Your grades are determined through various assessment methods, including:

• Presentations
• Oral exams (20 to 30 minutes)
• Written exams
• Portfolios
• Term papers

In these assessments you demonstrate your comprehension of the material, your ability to analyze texts, and your capacity to contextualize the subject matter.

For more answers to your questions, please visit our student advisors or read our F.A.Q-section.