International Language and Cultural Area Studies University of Kassel

Languages of instructions are German and French/Spanish and, depending on the elective subject, English or Spanish/French. The Bachelor's thesis can be written in German as well as in French or Spanish.

This internationally oriented programme combines a didactic-pedagogical study with a study of Romance languages and cultures and another language. In addition to the didactic-pedagogical part, students choose between French or Spanish and French/Spanish, English or German. Thus, students not only acquire subject-specific skills (linguistics, literature, cultural studies and regional studies) but also learn how to communicate them.

For all students, the study programme includes a stay abroad at a university in the French- or Spanish-speaking cultural area. For those with French as a compulsory subject, there is the additional option to apply for the Bachelor's degree programme in "CultureA". This option offers you a binational study programme sponsored by the German-French University (DFH). The partnerships enable students to have an intensive exchange with students of the same year from Angers, support for a one-year stay abroad, and, after successful completion of the studies, the awarding of three degrees and a certificate from the DFH as well as access to DFH-organised job fairs, financial support for a one-year stay at the partner university in Angers, France and the DFH's extensive graduate network.

The degree programme is intended for students who can imagine a professional future in the teaching field without limiting themselves to the teaching profession as well as for students who want to work internationally in cultural institutions, NGOs and educational institutions. To provide career orientation, the study programme is strongly practice-focused, and thus, it offers insight into the broad profile of knowledge transfer. The Bachelor's degree enables students to enter the profession directly and to continue their studies either as a teacher or in a related Master's degree programme. In addition, graduates of the degree programme can work both nationally and internationally; thanks to their complete international and intercultural education, they are excellently prepared for further studies at all domestic and foreign universities or on the domestic and foreign job market:

• In the education sector: adult education, e.g. education officer, language teaching at adult education centres and language schools, language courses in companies, in-house continuing education, education and science management
• In science and university management: preferably in the areas of internationalisation
• In the cultural sector: cultural institutions in an international context, e.g. scientific conception and supervision of exhibitions, events, projects, e.g. in museums or cultural memorials
• In international organisations: e.g. institutions of the European Union, NGOs, and Goethe Institutes 
• In the communications industry: advertising industry, trade fairs

Application with German certificates: 1 June to 1 September
Application with foreign certificates: 1 March to 15 July

The degree programme consists of two compulsory subjects and one compulsory elective subject. Compulsory subjects are Pedagogy/Didactics and French or Spanish in combination with a compulsory elective subject in French/Spanish, English or German.

Pedagogical and didactical action (compulsory subject)
Six modules dealing essentially with language and cultural mediation, intercultural action in history and the present, and perspectives on foreign and second language acquisition

French as a compulsory subject
A total of five modules in which students study Francophone linguistics, literature and cultural studies as well as receive in-depth practical language training from native speakers

Spanish as a compulsory subject
A total of five modules in which students study Hispanophone linguistics, literature and cultural studies as well as receive in-depth practical language training from native speakers

French or Spanish as an elective subject
Six modules that provide students with comprehensive practical language training by native speakers, introduction and in-depth study of the subject areas (linguistics and literature), and history and culture of the chosen language area

English (elective subject)
Five modules dealing with deepening and expanding practical language knowledge, fundamentals of the subject sciences, and linguistic and cultural teaching and learning processes

German (elective subject)
Four modules covering, among other things, basic and advanced linguistics, literary studies, and textual competence

Study abroad
Students complete a stay abroad at a university in a French- or Spanish-speaking country. The study visit takes place in the second or third year of study. Studying abroad promotes students' oral and written language skills and gives them an insight into the historical, literary and cultural developments of the region. The University of Kassel offers students a wide range of options thanks to its extensive network of partnerships.

Bachelor's final module
The topic of the Bachelor's thesis is issued at the beginning of the sixth semester at the earliest, provided that the requirements specified in the examination regulations are met. The topic is chosen according to the student's own research interests and in close consultation with the chosen examiner. The thesis can be written in German as well as in French or Spanish.

Key competencies
Key competencies enable students to acquire or deepen skills that are not directly related to the subject in order to complement their own profile. This can include intra- and/or extra-university engagement but also separate and designated courses of the University of Kassel, e.g. workshops on project management or web editing.

For all students, the study programme includes a stay abroad at a university in the French- or Spanish-speaking cultural area (at least one, maximum four semesters). For those with French as a compulsory subject, there is the additional option to apply for the Bachelor's degree programme in "CultureA". This option offers you a binational study programme sponsored by the German-French University (DFH). The partnerships enable students to have an intensive exchange with students of the same year from Angers, support for a one-year stay abroad, and, after successful completion of the studies, the awarding of three degrees. Students can start their studies in Angers in September and in Kassel in October of each year at their home university. Students from Angers, France, come to Kassel in their second year of study. The fifth and sixth semesters are obligatory for Kassel students to spend abroad at the partner university in Angers. The modules are fixed, which is why the achievements can be transferred into the German grading system.

No tuition fees

Mandatory registration fees allow students to use public transport free of charge and the university's refectories and cafeterias at reduced prices. The registration fee is currently 356.82 EUR per semester.
The registration fee changes annually. Please refer to this link for the current fees.

In order to cover personal expenses while studying in Kassel, it is recommended that students budget around 750 to 1,000 EUR per month for accommodation, food, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.

For this degree programme, you need one of the following degrees:

• General university entrance qualification
• Advanced technical college entrance qualification
• Professional qualification (study without Abitur)

Applicants for the "CultureA" option must submit a curriculum vitae and letter of motivation in both German and French as well as their high school diploma by 15 December of each year in the first semester of their studies. After submitting the documents, interviews will take place in January. The selection criteria are motivation, language level and grade of the baccalaureate certificate.

For this degree programme, you must prove language proficiency in French or Spanish at level A2 (CEFR). Without proof, admission to the study programme is not possible. After enrolment, further language proof must be provided depending on the elective or compulsory subject.

German language skills are necessary in order to follow some compulsory courses.

Application with German certificates: 1 June to 1 September
Application with foreign certificates: 1 March to 15 July

To finance their studies abroad, students of "CultureA" receive a mobility grant/scholarship from the DFH for the respective phase. This scholarship can be combined with other scholarships (e.g. Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Cusanuswerk, etc.) as well as with the German BaföG and the French equivalent.

Students can apply for various part-time jobs or work as student assistants on campus. Please have a look at www.uni-kassel.de. Some departments also provide positions as tutors or working students.

International students enrolled at the University of Kassel can choose between staying at a student residence hall ("Wohnheim") or private accommodation. There are about 1,000 rooms available in the student residencies around the campus. Please have a look at https://www.studierendenwerk-kassel.de/en/wohnen/. Rent for a room varies between 200 and 350 EUR per month depending on the location and facilities. Students can choose single apartments with en-suite facilities or a shared flat with fellow students. Private furnished or unfurnished accommodation in Kassel is also available and can be found in the local paper, on flyers on campus, or on the Internet (e.g. social media).

As a central contact point, the Career Service of the university supports students and graduates of all fields of study in their career orientation and internship or job search by offering a wide range of services including counselling, job hunting and a CV check. The Career Service organises workshops and lectures on all aspects of career orientation, occupational fields and additional qualifications. The special focus is on supporting students in the humanities and social sciences. 

See more at: https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/studium/kontakt-und-beratung/servicestellen/career-service/about-us#c34912

The Welcome Center is your contact for a good start and settling in in Kassel or Witzenhausen. The Welcome Center organises the Welcome Week for international students at the start of their studies and supports them throughout the semester with a wide range of information and offers (e.g. excursions, weekly international get-togethers).

https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/international/nach-kassel-kommen/welcome-centre/fuer-internationale-studierende