International Language and Cultural Area Studies University of Kassel

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

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.

Applications for the winter semester with German certificates are accepted annually from 1 June to 1 September and with foreign certificates from 1 March to 15 July.

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.

The semester contribution (391.27 EUR for the 2026 summer semester) includes the "Deutschlandticket", which allows you to use all regional trains and local transport throughout Germany free of charge! You will also receive discounts on meals in the canteens and much more.

To cover their personal expenses while studying in Kassel or Witzenhausen, students are advised to budget between 950 and 1,100 EUR per month for accommodation, food, health insurance, books and other miscellaneous expenses.

Students can apply for various part-time jobs, including positions as a student assistant or tutor on campus. The University of Kassel's Career Service can help you find a part-time job.

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.

The Career Service of University of Kassel offers individual support to facilitate the successful transition from academic to the professional world. Especially for international students aiming for a career in Germany, the Career Service provides workshops, reviewing application documents, networking with alumni and individual counselling. Learn more about the Career Service.

You can find useful information on accommodation, how to find a place to live, and the private housing market in Kassel and on the Witzenhausen campus on the University of Kassel website. More on accommodation in Kassel and Witzenhausen.
International students enrolled at the University of Kassel can choose to stay in a private accommodation or in a student hall of residence ("Wohnheim"). Around the campuses, there are about 1,000 rooms available in the student halls. Further information can be found at the Website of Studierendenwerk Kassel. Rent for a room varies from 260 to 545 EUR per month, depending on location and facilities. Students can choose between single apartments with en-suite facilities and shared flats with fellow students.