The University of Erfurt is a small campus university with a good student-per-professor ratio. At large universities, students may feel disconnected and the contact between students and with the teaching staff may not be so personal. At Erfurt, there are only about 6,000 students. In comparison, at the University of Leipzig 31,000 students are enrolled – more than five times as many.
Besides standard linguistic classes, English and American Studies at Erfurt has a strong focus on applied linguistics and in the field of language acquisition and teaching. Classes in literary studies do not only deal with typical questions of literary analysis, but also focus on media aspects, such as film adaption, photography and TV formats.
Bachelor students choose one major and one minor subject. However, in addition, they also take classes in what is called Studium Fundamentale. These are interdisciplinary seminars offered by teaching staff from all faculties, so that students acquire knowledge beyond the scope of their subjects.
The Studierendenwerk Thüringenoffers rooms in residential homes at eleven location, two of them even on campus! Also in Erfurt, a place cannot be guaranteed for all students. However, the number of applications is much lower than at Jena, for example. Students are advised to apply early.
Erfurt lies in the middle of Germany and as it serves as an important railway junction, it is easily accessible by train. From Leipzig, you can get to Erfurt in just 40 minutes, from Halle in only 30 minutes. From Berlin, it takes 1:45, from Nuremberg 1:20 and from Frankfurt slightly over 2 hours.
Erfurt is not a metropolis, but it is not a small town either. The city offers numerous recreational activities. For sports fans, there is a public pool with 50 metre lanes and an ice skating rink. For art lovers, the city has its own theatre Theater Erfurt, who also run the summer festival Domstufenfestspiele. Needless to say, there are also student clubs like E-Burg. In all, Erfurt with its mediaeval town centre is a loveable city.