Social Sciences for Intercultural Relations Fulda University of Applied Sciences

The Bachelor's programme in "Social Sciences for Intercultural Relations" (BASIB) at Fulda University of Applied Sciences offers students the opportunity to qualify for intercultural and international careers. The interdisciplinary programme includes the subjects of sociology, political science, communication science, and law, each with a focus on intercultural and transcultural relations. Central topics are:

• Immigration and transnational migration
• Social and culturally reflective communication
• International organisations and politics
• Sustainability and globalisation
• Gender and diversity
• Digitalisation
• Racism and discrimination

The course can be completed in German and/or English and is supplemented by lessons in foreign languages. Students bring their diverse experiences and perspectives from different cultural and social backgrounds to the internationally oriented degree programme. In addition to training in social science methods, aspects of diversity and intercultural communication are dealt with in workshops, lectures and excursions. Students can spend a semester abroad. Various funding opportunities are available for this, such as scholarships and professional help from the department's international relations office. Students travel to a wide variety of countries and continents. Graduates of the BASIB degree programme have a wide range of job opportunities in intercultural professional fields. Students acquire interdisciplinary and intercultural skills through the programme. These enable them to work in national and international organisations, public authorities, companies and non-profit organisations.

In the first two semesters, the programme lays the foundations in the disciplines of sociology, political science, communication studies, and law as well as methods of empirical social research. From the second and third semesters onwards, the focus is increasingly set on intercultural topics. In addition, much emphasis is also placed on the application of practical skills in areas such as intercultural training, diversity, languages, modern technologies, presentation, individual learning, teamwork, etc. In most courses, international BASIB students learn together in a group, which gives them an intensive intercultural experience. In addition, various courses are offered that bring them together with other students. Excursions regularly take place in Germany and abroad in order to gain an insight into practical contexts. After the fourth semester, students complete a compulsory eight-week internship in Germany or abroad. The fifth semester is reserved for in-depth studies and reflection on the internship experience. The Bachelor's thesis is written in the sixth semester.

To successfully complete the programme, 20 modules must be completed:

• Cross Studies
• Foundations in Sociology and Political Science
• Foundations in Law
• Labour Law, Social Law, and Migration Law
• Communication and Culture in Theory and Practice
• Foreign Languages
• Sociological and Political Science Dimensions of Intercultural Relations
• Globalisation and Sustainable Development: Foundations
• Migration and Diversity: Foundations
• Intercultural Relations in Work and Organisations: Foundations
• Views of the Present - Current Topics in Political Science and Sociology I
• General Skills in Communication, Culture, and Media
• Exolingual Communication
• Internship / Follow-Up
• International Law
• Elective Module: Migration and Diversity
• Elective Module: Intercultural Relations in Work and Organisations
• Elective Module: Globalisation and Sustainable Development
• Views of the Present – Current Topics in Political Science and Sociology II
• Advanced Scientific Work
• Bachelor's Thesis

A module overview and more detailed information on all subjects are available on the programme website.

A special pre-study programme is offered for BASIB applicants. This programme provides advanced preparation for students from abroad who want to "warm up" for their future studies in Fulda. More information on pre-study options can be found on the Pre-Study Fulda website.

In order to gain initial practical experience, you must complete an internship in Germany or abroad in the fourth semester. The internship is prepared in the second semester and is followed by an intensive reflection phase. The diverse options allow students to optimally prepare for the demands of the intercultural working world.

A general higher education entrance qualification for Germany or an entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences

A semester contribution of around 400 EUR is charged to cover the cost of student services, the student government, and an administrative fee as well as the "Deutschland semester ticket" (a student bus and rail pass for local and regional public transport all over Germany).

Approx. 900 to 950 EUR per month, including food, rent and health insurance (approx. 140 EUR per month), depending on one's living standard
https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/international/costs-and-funding 

From tutoring jobs and student assistantships at Fulda University to typical student jobs in restaurants, shops, and many other industries in the city of Fulda and its surrounding area, a wide range of job opportunities is available. Please note that proficiency in German significantly increases employability.

International students can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship, which amounts to 300 EUR per month and is usually granted for 12 months. Prerequisites are good results and/or extracurricular activities.

The International Office offers an accommodation service for international students coming directly from abroad. The cost of accommodation amounts to approx. 400 to 500 EUR per month. There are excellent, newly built student residences within walking distance of the university.

For more information on housing, see: https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/international/international-students/housing.

Fulda University of Applied Sciences is a practice-oriented university with an international profile and a strong focus on applied research. Fulda University is the first university of applied sciences in Germany with the independent right to confer doctoral degrees. Founded in 1974, the university currently encompasses eight departments with over 60 study programmes and approx. 9,700 students, including over 3,200 international students from more than 90 countries. The university offers a broad range of academic and professional education. Numerous research and development projects are undertaken in cooperation with private business and industry. Fulda University cooperates with more than 100 universities around the world. The number of international programmes is growing continuously. These programmes are partly or entirely taught in English.
At the Bachelor's level, we currently offer six international Bachelor's programmes: Industrial Biotechnology, Industrial Engineering Life Sciences, Social Sciences for Intercultural Relations, Food Technology, Global Health, and International Business & Management. At the Master's level, we offer seven programmes: International Management; Intercultural Communication and European Studies; International Food Business and Consumer Studies; Global Software Development; Data Science; Nutrition, Health and Food Systems as well as Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law, and Society.

Further programmes designed for international students include the following:

1. Pre-College Fulda, a preparatory year for applicants with and without a higher education entrance qualification for Germany
2. Pre-Study Fulda, a preparatory semester for international applicants that includes German language training
3. Career service for international students and graduates
4. Preparatory intensive German courses
5. German courses (accompanying studies)
6. Support services, e.g. for housing and visa as well as a buddy programme and orientation week
7. International Summer University (ISU), International Winter University (IWU), International Course in Business (ICB), and International Course in Social Work (ICSW)

A historic city founded in 744, Fulda today has a population of 71,000 with approx. 100,000 people living in the region. Fulda's Baroque quarter is one of the most beautiful in Germany and attracts visitors from all over the world. The picturesque Old Town has many cafés, bars, and pubs, with numerous shops and boutiques. The city's cultural life has something to offer for everyone. The high quality of life makes Fulda a great place to live and an ideal place to study. Fulda enjoys ideal public transport connections. One of Europe's principal international airports, Frankfurt International, is just one hour away by car or direct train. Other major cities in Germany, like Berlin, Munich, Cologne, or Hamburg, are within easy reach and only two to three hours away by train. Even famous European capitals like Paris and Brussels are reachable within five hours by train.