Ecumenical and Extended Ecumenical Studies University of Bonn

The Master's programme in (Extended) Ecumenical Studies (MESt) covers a field of knowledge entailing the following concepts:

• the plurality of Christianities
• the plurality of European and non-European churches and theologies
• the plurality of religious differences in general and in their cultural contexts
• the main concepts of the types of unity of churches/Christianity to be desired
• the ideas regarding the peaceful and respectful interactions of religions

Students will be introduced to key aspects of biblical and theological interpretation, as well as to poignant developments in church history, in order to equip them with the tools necessary to make advances in the interest of ecumenism. Lecturers will devote special attention to the insights and methodology of German theology, owing to the singular influence of German-language research on theological scholarship worldwide.

The MESt is offered by the Faculty of Protestant Theology in cooperation with the Centre for Religion and Society ("Zentrum für Religion und Gesellschaft – ZERG") at the University of Bonn. Professors and lecturers from the Faculties and Departments of Protestant and Catholic Theology, Philosophy, the Seminary of Old Catholic Theology, and from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany contribute to the teaching of the programme.

The Master's programme in (Extended) Ecumenical Studies comprises a combination of both compulsory and elective modules. It consists of lectures and seminars, an internship or ecumenical fieldwork, and a Master's thesis.

Centre for Religion and Society/Zentrum für Religion und Gesellschaft

Students of the Master's programme in (Extended) Ecumenical Studies are required to complete an internship or ecumenical fieldwork. With the help of the knowledge and skills acquired in the previous modules, the students can analyse practical situations, work out relevant questions and develop and implement solutions.

Recommended: complete participation in the courses of the modules of the first semester / first year

• Early--Bird Application period for the following academic year: 1 October - 30 October and 1 December - 31 December
• Regular Application period: 1 January - 1 July

1. The “Ecumenical Studies” and “Extended Ecumenical Studies” consecutive Master’s programmes are aimed at applicants who have a first university degree in one of the subjects of Catholic Theology, Protestant Theology, Old Catholic Theology, Orthodox Theology, Religious Education, Religious Studies or a related field. For the Master’s programme in “Ecumenical Studies”, students need to have acquired at least 240 ECTS in their first academic degree; for the Master's programme in "Extended Ecumenical Studies", students need to have acquired at least 180 ECTS in their first academic degree.
2. In-depth knowledge of a Christian denomination and its scientific reflection/interpretation, evidenced by study components amounting to at least 60 ECTS or comparable knowledge
3. English language proficiency with a minimum level of B2
4. International applicants who are not considered equivalent to German citizens by or on the basis of international treaties and who do not have a German university entrance qualification must prove that they have passed the aptitude test for university studies (Annex 4, Examination Regulations).

The University of Bonn is a public university, meaning that it does not charge tuition fees. However, all students must pay the semester fee of about 350 EUR per semester, which covers a Deutschlandsemesterticket (student transit pass for public transport) and statutory accident insurance, among other things.

Students in Bonn can expect to pay around 1,000 EUR a month, with rent accounting for the largest share of their living costs.

1. One MESt Faculty Scholarship is available, awarded on the basis of academic achievement as well as evidence of special ecumenical interest, as documented in the application pack.
2. The ExStra Work-Study Grant: This is a student assistant job that offers students the opportunity to combine the Master's programme in (Extended) Ecumenical Studies with paid work on a research team within our programme. Details can be found on our homepage.

Students at the University of Bonn can apply for a room in a dormitory owned by the Studierendenwerk Bonn (see www.studierendenwerk-bonn.de/en/accommodation for more details).

For further information on housing in Bonn, please visit our website at www.uni-bonn.de/living-in-bonn.