- All courses offered
- Bachelor
- German as a Foreign and Second Language
- Major Subject (Academic)
German as a Foreign and Second Language Major Subject (Academic)
Overview
Contents of the subject German as a Foreign and Second Language
The department of German as a Foreign and Second Language specializes in language teaching and cultural education in Germany and abroad. The University of Bielefeld is the only university in North Rhine-Westphalia to offer German as a Foreign and Second Language (DaF/DaZ) as a Major and Minor Subject Bachelor degree programme.
Students in our Major Subject Bachelor degree programme gain a deeper understanding of approaches to teaching German as a foreign and second language, of German linguistics, of cultural studies as well as of second language acquisition research. Students apply the knowledge and skills they acquire in their course work in an internship. Our domestic students additionally learn a language unrelated to German as well as teach courses in tandem. We also offer support to our international students in developing their skills in written and spoken academic German. Our students also have the opportunity to complete part of their studies abroad, through either a semester-long ERASMUS exchange program and/or an internship outside of Germany. Our department offers a variety of financial supports for these international experiences.
Graduates of our program teach German language (GFL) and culture to teens and adults in diverse institutions for continuing education and in language schools. Our graduates are also employed in elementary and secondary schools, supporting students with other first languages to acquire German, either in preparatory classes or via additional language-learning support.
You are also ideally qualified for the Bielefeld Master's degree programme German as a Foreign Language and German Studies as well as Master's degree programmes in German as a Foreign Language and German Studies at other universities with a core subject degree.
Das sagen unsere Studierenden
Mir gefällt an meinem Studium vor allem die Möglichkeit des Perspektivwechsels. Im Bachelor Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache hatten wir beispielsweise ein Tandemprojekt mit Sprachkursteilnehmer*innen. Anstatt nur theoretisch über eine bestimmte Personengruppe im späteren Arbeitsfeld zu sprechen, haben wir uns direkt mit den Teilnehmer*innen ausgetauscht und konnten unsere Themen so aus ihrer Perspektive betrachten. Ich würde das Studium allen empfehlen, die Lust haben, im sozialen Bereich zu arbeiten und Menschen auf ihrem Weg in unsere Gesellschaft zu begleiten und zu unterstützen.
Contact persons
Advantages of the subject at Bielefeld University
Career prospects
What are the access requirements?
Access to the Bachelor programme is granted to those who have a university entrance qualification suitable for Germany (e. g. German ‘Abitur’).
Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.
Likewise, special conditions apply to those qualified in vocational education and training.
What formalities are important?
Course start
Studies can be commenced in both winter and summer semesters. Courses are targeted to commencing studies in winter semester. Student counselling to plan the course of studies is recommended.
Length and scope of studies
The standard period of studies is 6 semesters. Information on studying part time.
The studies Major Subject (Academic) German as a Foreign and Second Language comprise 120 credit points.
Find out about the academic structure model and note the possible combinations as well as the rules regarding the individual supplementary area.
Application, admission, and enrolment
The study places are not subject to any admission restrictions (numerus clausus). Nevertheless, you need to apply within the currently applicable application deadlines. Afterwards, however, you can submit your application for enrolment directly in the application and status portal, provided that you meet the access requirements.
Step by step to a bachelor programme without NC
Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.
Likewise, special conditions apply to those qualified in vocational education and training.
The courses
You will find the programme of lectures for this course in the eKVV.
An overview of the introductory and information events is provided by the central student counselling services.
Possible Combinations
Possible Combinations
Possible combinations for Combined Bachelor
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The information on admission restrictions / numerus clausus (NC) refers to applications for the winter semester 2026/27 and summer semester 2027.
Information on NC values from previous years