BiBoG: Binational Master's in History (Bielefeld-Bologna) Bielefeld University

Since its inception in the academic year 2012/13 (October 2012), Bielefeld University and the University of Bologna have joined forces in offering this joint two-year Master's degree programme in History. Enrolled students will spend one academic year in Bologna and another academic year in Bielefeld, and graduates will receive MA degrees from both universities. The wide range of themes explored in Bologna and the theory-based approach pursued by Bielefeld University complement one another exceptionally well, allowing the programme to combine the strengths of two of Europe's outstanding teaching and research institutions, resulting in a unique and attractive curriculum.

German students will spend the first and second semesters in Bielefeld and the third and fourth semesters in Bologna. Italian students will spend the first and second semesters in Bologna before transferring to Bielefeld for the third and fourth semesters.

Students can improve their language skills through classes offered at both universities. Participants will also be offered classes on the cultural and academic characteristics of the country where they will study abroad for a year.

Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna

Students have the opportunity to pursue various internships. Both Bielefeld and Bologna have established partnerships with many local and national enterprises, institutions, foundations, etc., in the area of potential future career opportunities. A list of these cooperation partners is available for participating students.

Application in Bielefeld

All documents must be submitted by 15 September for the stay abroad in the following academic year by e-mail to bibog[at]uni-bielefeld.de or gloc[at]uni-bielefeld.de as an attached PDF document.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in History (German Bachelor of Arts, Italian Laurea) with a grade of 3.0 or higher. Applications are evaluated after an obligatory interview.

Applications (consisting of résumé, copy of Bachelor's degree, cover letter / statement of purpose, Bachelor's thesis evaluation) can be submitted in Bielefeld or Bologna.

Italian B1 CEFR

Missing skills can be acquired in preparatory language classes.

Bielefeld University does not charge tuition fees, every student only has to pay a social fee. The social fee includes the contribution to the social ticket for free public transport in Germany for the whole semester.

The current semester contribution is approximately 333 EUR.

Costs for studying in Germany are relatively high due to the living expenses.

• Rent in a room in student halls of residence or a private student hall, in a room or flat comes to approx. 290 EUR per month.
• The expected costs for student health insurance and other medical fees are about 140 EUR per month.
• Depending on your lifestyle, you might spend about 150 EUR on food each month.
• Altogether, monthly costs for food, clothes, leisure activities, social fees, travel expenses, telephone bills, and the other mentioned expenses add up to approx. 992 EUR.

There are several ways of cutting expenses in Bielefeld. For example, it is possible to rent a room in a student residence for about 250 EUR, and a meal at the student canteen (Mensa) costs only about 3 EUR.

With your residence permit (stamp in your passport), you will receive a work permit for 120 work days per year. This allows you to work 120 full days (eight hours per day) or 240 half days (up to four hours per day). This condition must be noted expressly in the passport by the authorities.

Career planning is a step-by-step development and clarification process that requires individual strategies. Based on a strengths- and resource-oriented approach, we support you in developing your own career prospects.

Depending on your needs, our Career Service at Bielefeld University will accompany you throughout the entire process or in individual steps.

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/themen/career-service

Please try to secure accommodation in Bielefeld as early as possible. In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices. Students residences are run by the public "Studierendenwerk" or private organisations, and shared flats are very common.

Offers of accommodation can be found online by following the links below:

• Studierendenwerk Bielefeld (dormitories)
• WG-gesucht.de (private shared accommodation)

The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.