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Bachelor's programme

German as a Foreign and Second Language Bielefeld University

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Duration
6 semesters
Language of instruction
German
Tuition fees
No tuition fees
Next application deadline
15 November 2026 (winter semester)
Language level required
English: B1
German: C1

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Programme overview

Quick facts

Degree
BA
Duration
6 semesters
Full-time / part-time
Full-time
Intake
Winter and summer semester
Joint degree / double degree programme
No

Language of instruction

German

Courses are held in German.

Programme description

The Bachelor's programme consists of the following modules:

  • Didaktik und Methodik / Theory and Practice of Language Teaching (seminars/lectures, classroom observation)
  • Angewandte Linguistik / Applied Linguistics (seminars/lectures)
  • Kulturalität und Sprache / Language and Culture (seminars/lectures)
  • Zweit- und Fremdsprachenerwerbsforschung / Second and Foreign Language Acquisition Research (seminars/lectures)
  • Sprachpraxis / Language Practice (seminars)
  • Sprache und Kultur im Kontext von Beruf, Politik und Gesellschaft / Language and Culture in the Context of Policy and Society (seminars)
  • Werkstatt: DaF-/DaZ-Praxisfelder gestalten und reflektieren / Workshop: Designing and reflecting on DaF/DaZ fields of practice
  • Sprachlehr- und -lernwissenschaften / Language Teaching and Learning Sciences (seminars/projects)
  • Praktikum/Internship – DaF/DaZ unterrichten, Kulturvermittlung – Teaching GFL/GSL, Cultural Mediation (seminar, internship)
  • Bachelorarbeit / Bachelor's thesis
  • Individueller Ergänzungsbereich / Individual studies

We offer the following support programmes for our students:

  • a peer mentoring programme for students in their first semester
  • writing workshops to support the writing of papers and theses
  • semester-accompanying courses and counselling on academic work in our department

Programme structure

Courses take the form of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Independent work as well as active participation in academic discourse is expected and encouraged.

Mode of study

  • Fully on-site

Integrated internships

Practical experience inside or outside of Germany is part of the programme. Programme advisers will assist students with finding an appropriate internship.

Application and admission

Application period(s)

Winter semester

Applicants from Applications begin Application deadline
All countries
Not specified
15 November 2026

Summer semester

Applicants from Applications begin Application deadline
All countries
Not specified
15 May 2027
Information on application periods

Academic admissions requirements

Equivalent to German "Abitur"

Language requirements

Please check all requirements directly with the respective higher education institution. Exceptions may apply. See our website for further details.

German language requirements

German: C1

Accepted certificates include
Certificates Minimum result
TestDaF
Total: TDN 4
Reading: TDN 4
Listening: TDN 4
Writing: TDN 4
Speaking: TDN 4
Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Total: DSH-2
Goethe-Zertifikat
Total: Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom
Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD)
Total: DSD II
Reading: C1
Listening: C1
Writing: C1
Speaking: C1
Prüfungsteil „Deutsch“ der Feststellungsprüfung an Studienkollegs
Total: Passed
ÖSD Zertifikat
Total: C2

English language requirements

English: B1

This programme does not require proof of proficiency. Please be aware that you should at least meet the above-mentioned level to successfully participate in the programme.

How to apply?

uni-assist

You can apply via uni-assist, the application processing service for international students.

Click here

Website

Please check this website.

Click here

Costs and funding

Tuition fees per semester

No tuition fees

Semester contribution

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.

Cost of living

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.

Part-time employment

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.

Living & services

Support for international students

  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme
  • Accompanying programme
  • Specialist counselling
  • Cultural and linguistic preparation
  • Visa matters
  • Help with finding accommodation
  • Support with registration procedures

At PunktUm, our German Learning Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of academic support programmes that are designed to meet the needs of international members of the Bielefeld University. These include the Academic Mentoring Programme for Master's students, the Peer Mentoring Programme for Bachelor's students, and semester-long workshops designed to help all students and researchers with academic writing. We also offer individual consultations on academic writing in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) or German as a Second Language (DaZ).

The International Office provides an orientation programme for all international members of Bielefeld University, including degree seekers (BA and MA), double degree students, Erasmus/cooperation students, doctoral students, scholars, interns, and refugees/preparing applicants. Example of activities include Café International, campus tour, introductions to digital services and administrative procedures.

Course-specific language courses available

German

Career advisory services

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

Accommodation

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:

The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.

Contact

Main contact

Department of German as a Foreign and Second Language (Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache)

Name
Dr Susanne Horstmann
Address
33501 Bielefeld
Email
E-mail

Additional contact

Name
Dr Silke Ghobeyshi
Email
E-mail

Additional contact

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Always know what comes next

Study Guide gives you a personal to-do list tailored to your background, qualifications and interests, so you always know what to do next.