Intercultural German Studies Germany - China (M.A./double degree)
Final degree: M. A. (double degree from the universities of Göttingen and Nanjing, or from Göttingen University and the Beijing Foreign Studies University)
Standard period of study: 4 semesters
Start: Winter semester
Degree programme options: Single Honours MA in Intercultural German Studies Germany - China (Double Degree)
Admission: Limited admission (application to the Faculty)
Admission requirements:
- B.A. degree or one equivalent
- Letter of motivation
- Selection interview
Language requirements:
- For non-German native speakers: German Language University Entrance Examination for Foreign Applicants (DSH)/Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF)
- English proficiency (B2)
- Chinese proficiency (80 class hours for non-Chinese native speakers)
Language of the programme: German
Application deadline: July 15th
Application: Application procedure
Degree programme description
The concept behind the degree programme combines a specialised education in German studies with a job-related professionalization while teaching practice-related key competencies. The linguistic and literature sections teach intercultural and culturological perspectives. Students are educated to become linguistic and cultural experts.
The participating universities determine their own academic and job-qualifying foci. These foci are incorporated into the specific educational objectives and traditions of their respective German departments. They are tailored to the appropriate professional fields in Germany and China. At University of Nanjing, these foci cover the areas of education and knowledge transfer; The Beijing Foreign Studies University places emphasis on ?translating? cultures alongside law and economics, while Göttingen University focuses on culture transfer.
Degree programme structure
The degree programmes is structure so as to integrate the structural prerequisites of the German and Chinese university systems in equal measure. That means that Chinese students are required to complete a 5-semester degree programme earning 120 credits, while German students must complete 4 semesters in which they also earn 120 credits. The number of students is limited to a total of 20 to 25 students, distributed over an equal number of places for German and Chinese students. This means that the Universities of Nanjing and Beijing each accept five to seven students; commensurate with the number of Chinese accepted, Göttingen University would then admit 10 to 15 students.
The study curriculum envisions that Chinese and German students learn as much in tandem as possible and mutually complete their degree programme. The plan is that Chinese students spend their first year of study together with German students at Göttingen University. All students will then spend their second year in China where the German students will be distributed among the University of Nanjing and the Beijing Foreign Studies University. The German students write their Master?s thesis in the 4th semester and will be supervised by Chinese and German teachers collaboratively. The Chinese students will complete their Master?s thesis in their 5th semester and will likewise be supervised by Chinese and German teachers collaboratively.
The degree programme is modularised. It contains modules taken by German and Chinese students together, alongside modules that satisfy the specific formal specialisation requirements and educational objectives of each individual university. Most courses are taught in German. Throughout of their entire degree programme, German students complete Chinese modules that combine language and cultural education. The interactive language exchange counts as a mandatory basis for the year abroad given that the degree programme requires all German students to do a work placement in China and, analogously, all Chinese students to do a work placement in Germany.
Educational objectives of the degree programme
The main objective of this educational training is to teach specialised knowledge and competencies that are interculturally sound and have an interdisciplinary alignment. This degree programme qualifies graduates to be cultural liaisons on the rapidly growing German-Chinese job market. Potentially professional fields for graduates include cultural, academic and educational institutions with a global scope alongside political institutions and businesses involved in German-Chinese joint ventures.