In the degree programme in German as a Foreign and Second Language, you will gain knowledge about the structure and use of the German language, German culture, interculturality, processes of learning foreign and second languages and about the didactics and methodology of German as a foreign language. This programme enables you to teach German as a foreign language and convey knowledge about the German language and culture.

At a glance

  • Field of study

    humanities and linguistics
  • Degree type

    undergraduate
  • Degree

    Bachelor of Arts
  • Language of instruction

    German
  • Full/part-time

    part-time, full-time
  • Course start

    winter semester
  • Admission restriction

    without admission restriction
  • Standard period of study

    Six semesters

  • ECTS credits

    180

Requirements

general higher education entrance qualification, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification

  • Students whose native language is German: Knowledge of two foreign languages at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or knowledge of one foreign language at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and knowledge of Latin
  • Students whose native language is not German: Knowledge of German at C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and knowledge of one further foreign language at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
  • Students on the BA Plus programme: Knowledge of Dutch at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (at the start of the period abroad); students whose native language is not German require knowledge of German at C2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (when applying)

Contents

The content of the bachelor’s programme in German as a Foreign and Second Language covers the following areas:

  • Introduction to the subject DaF/DaZ
  • Lexicology of contemporary German language
  • Didactics/methodology of German as a foreign and second language
  • Phonetics/phonology/rhetoric
  • Cultural studies
  • Grammar
  • German as a second language
  • Media-based teaching and learning in foreign and second language teaching
  • Second language acquisition
  • Business German
  • Performance measurement
  • Teaching linguistic items in German as a foreign and second language

Students are also required to complete an internship preparing them for teaching practice and to write a bachelor’s thesis.

The bachelor’s programme in German as a foreign and second language comprises 180 credit points and includes the following areas:

Core subject

The core subject comprises 90 credit points:

  • 60 credit points in the compulsory area
  • 20 credit points in the compulsory elective area
  • 10 credit points for the bachelor’s thesis

Key qualifications

The key qualifications area comprises 30 credit points:

  • 10 credits for a mandatory internship supervised by the Herder Institute as an internal key qualification (subject-related key qualification). The internship module comprises a five-week internship and its preparation and follow-up. It should preferably be completed abroad.
  • 10 credits for a subject-related key qualification module within the Faculty.
  • 10 credits can be acquired elsewhere by completing a cross-faculty key qualification module

Elective area

The elective area comprises 60 credit points. You can choose from among the modules offered in the elective area and elective subjects.

  • Work as a teacher of German as a foreign and second language, for example at language schools or adult education centres in Germany and abroad.
  • Work as a linguistic and cultural mediator in domestic and foreign cultural work and cultural policy.
  • Five-week mandatory internship (teaching praxis) at an institution related to the subject being studied; the internship will preferably be completed abroad.
  • A study stay abroad is recommended.
  • In the focus “German as a Foreign and Second Language in the Dutch context – Bachelor Plus”:  two-semester stay abroad in the 6th and 7th semesters at Utrecht University.

Application

Course start: Winter semester
Admission restriction (NCU): no
Application period: 2 May–15 September
Application portal: AlmaWeb

Please ensure that you read and take note of the further information provided on the pages “Online application”.

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply on the page “International”.

Options in the winter semester: 3rd semester and 4th semester – each without restrictions on admission
Options in the summer semester: 2nd semester, 4th semester and 6th semester – each without restrictions on admission
Application period: 2 May–15 September for the winter semester; 1 December–15 March for the summer semester
Application portal: AlmaWeb
Special enrolment requirements: credits form (Anrechnungsbescheid)

You can find more information on our page for “Applying for higher semesters of study”.

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply on the page “International”.

Internationality

Only for the focus “German as a Foreign and Second Language in the Dutch context – Bachelor Plus”:  two-semester stay abroad at international partner universities

Lecturers and students sit together in the seminar
Student reads in a book
Students sit in the seminar and look at books
Students sit together in the seminar
Students sit in the seminar and look at books
Four students are together and explain a poster