Frau in der Kirche mit Kerzen
Bachelor programme

Degree Profile

Begin of study
winter semester
Duration
6 semester
Academic degree
Bachelor of Arts (B. A.)
Structure
full time and part time
Faculty
Faculty of Philosophy
Tuition fee
semester contribution only
Admission restriction
no restricted admission
Dual-subject Bachelor
major and minor subject
Teaching language
German
School subject
Ethics
Teacher relevance
Primary schools, Secondary schools, Special schools, Vocational schools
ECTS
180

Course Details

In the major and minor in Religious Studies you will examine a special type of cultural interpretation and symbol systems, namely religions. The conditions of emergence and change as well as typical patterns of such systems, their sponsorship, organization, ideology, social consequences and orientation performance for individuals are taken into account.

At the University of Erfurt you will find the following areas of religious studies:

  • Orthodox Christianity
  • Islam
  • Judaism
  • General religious studies

Not only are the European manifestations of the traditions taken into account, but also their historical references are examined. In the course of your studies you will acquire basic knowledge of religious traditions and their interactions in specific cultural contexts.

The study of Religious Studies at the University of Erfurt ...
  • offers the possibility - in combination with a teaching degree - to later teach ethics as a school subject;
  • is an exciting alternative to theologically oriented courses of study, among other things because it deals with different religions;
  • offers the opportunity to critically examine current social events and to approach them from the perspective of religious studies;
  • can - unlike at most German universities - also be taken in Erfurt with specialisation in Orthodox Christianity;
  • offers students with a religious background the chance to look at their own religion from a different perspective.

Job & Career Perspectives

Our graduates are active in these professional fields:

  • teaching ethics in primary or secondary schools (provided that a Master's degree related to teaching profession has been completed),
  • in the media sector,
  • in public relations,
  • in publishing,
  • in cultural management,
  • in development cooperation,
  • in adult education,
  • in tourism,
  • in commercial enterprises.

Studying Religion: Why a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies? (in German)

[Translate to English:] Video Religion studieren

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Religious Studies in Detail

Structure of the study programme

The bachelor's degree course at the University of Erfurt comprises a major and a minor subject (two-subject bachelor's degree) as well as the fundamental course of study. It aims to impart specialist content and occupational field orientation as well as interdisciplinary skills. The standard period of study is six semesters.

Orientation Phase (First Year)

  • Systematic religious studies
  • European religious studies (2 out of 5):
    • Introduction to Islamic Studies
    • Introduction to Jewish Studies
    • Introduction to the cultural history of Latin Christianity
    • Introduction to the cultural history of orthodox Christianity
    • Introduction to European polytheisms

Qualification Phase (Second/Third Year)

  • Theory and methodology of religious studies
  •  4 of 7 modules:
    • Philosophy/Ethics
    • Language course
    • European polytheisms
    • Cultural history of orthodox Christianity
    • Cultural History of Latin Christianity
    • Jewish Studies
    • Islamic Studies

Two-Subject-Bachelor

The major and minor subjects differ in terms of the content and scope of the course. In the major subject a Bachelor thesis is written.

Examinations regulations major Religious Studies

Examinations regulations minor Religious Studies

Possible combinations

At the University of Erfurt, you will study a major and a minor subject (two-subject bachelor) in the bachelor's program. You may have to observe combination rules.

Combination rule:

  • Religious Studies can be combined with all fields of study.
Studimat

Online-Tool Studimat

The STUDIMAT supports you in combining the major with the minor subject. Try it out now!
www.was-studieren.info

Study abroad

Study abroad

A semester abroad in an English speaking country is strongly recommended. The International Office will be happy to assist you in organizing your stay abroad.

Study abroad

Internships

Internships during studies

  • Interdisciplinary Internship for Vocational Field
  • optional: Internship for Vocational Field

Further internships for students with the professional goal of becoming teachers:

  • two school type-related school internships in the Bachelor's program

Study teaching profession

Information about study teaching profession

Teacher training takes place in the Bachelor-Master study system. The degree is equivalent to the 1st state examination. Following the Master's program, you will complete the preparatory service, which concludes with the 2nd state examination.
study teaching at the University of Erfurt

Relevance for teacher training

If you follow a master's degree course in teaching, you will acquire the teaching qualification for the subject Ethics at the following schools:

  • Primary schools
  • Secondary schools
  • Vocational schools

Studying to become a primary school teacher

  • Combination of the major subject Primary and Elementary Education with the minor subject Religious Studies.

Download Flyer "Studying to become a primary school teacher" (in German)

Studying to become a primary school teacher

Studying to become a secondary school teacher

  • Combination of Religious Studies with minor subject (relevant to the teaching profession)

Download Flyer "Studying to become a secondary school teacher" (in German)

Studying to become a secondary school teacher

Studying to become a teacher for for special needs pedagogy

  • Combination of the major Special Education and Inclusive Pedagogy with the minor Religious Studies

Download Flyer "Studying to become a teacher for for special needs pedagogy" (in German)

Studying to become a teacher for for special needs pedagogy

Studying to become a teacher for vocational schools

  • Religious Studies as a general subject

Studying to become a teacher for vocational schools

Admissions qualification

Studying with Abitur

  • general qualification for university entrance or the subject-related higher education entrance qualification or a comparable previous education

General information on the admission requirements (study without Abitur):
www.uni-erfurt.de/studium/vor-dem-studium/bewerbung-zulassung-einschreibung

Language requirements

Language requirements during studies

  • German: Upon application, international applicants must prove German language skills at level B1.

Until the end of the studies (major field of study):

This knowledge is only recommended for the minor.

  • Knowledge at level B1 reading comprehension of a foreign language relevant to the chosen major field of study:
    • Islamic Studies: Arabic, Turkish, Urdu or Persian
    • Jewish Studies: Judaistic Hebrew (Ivrit, Biblical Hebrew)
    • Cultural History European Polytheisms: Latin or Ancient Greek
    • Cultural History of Latin Christianity: Latin
    • Cultural history of Orthodox Christianity: Ancient Greek, Modern Greek or Russian

Language Centre

The Language Centre (Sprachenzentrum) offers around 140 language courses per semester in 16 modern and ancient (foreign) languages. It supports you in acquiring and deepening your language skills.
www.uni-erfurt.de/sprachenzentrum

International applicants

International applicants whose native language is not German must provide proof of sufficient German language skills (level B1) upon application.

Information on required German language skills and the German language test for university admission (DSH):

Language and Admission Requirements 

No admission limitation (without nc)

Without admission limitation (without NC)

At present, no admission limitation (without numerus clausus) is expected.

Master Programmes

Open Day & Discovery Days

Studierende am Info-Punkt bei den Schnuppertagen
Open Day

Open Day

Numerous information and advisory services offer you the opportunity to see the study and living conditions in Erfurt for yourself at the open day. Get to know the green campus and the beautiful old town centre on guided tours. Information on the program: Open Day

Discovery Days

The discovery days at the University of Erfurt mean experiencing "studying up close". Within a week (on as many days as you like) you can attend selected courses (lectures or seminars) and get a taste of campus life. Information and program: Discovery Days

Order or download information material

Order now!

Would you like to hold the study program flyer in your hands? Then request our free information material without obligation. In a few days you will receive mail directly to your home.

Order Info-Post now!

You don't want to wait? Then download the flyer in the download center now.

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Similar study programmes

Follow the Instagram channel of the General Religious Studies and get to know the students. Discover exciting current posts from the study and research of Religious Studies.

go to the Instagram channel of the Religious Science

Application

[Translate to English:] Jetzt bewerben!

The major and minor subject in Religious Studies is admission-free (without NC).

Application for the two-subject Bachelor's degree:

When combining Religious Studies with an admission-free program (without NC), you can enroll directly from May 1 to September 15.

Enrol now for Religious Studies!

When combining Religious Studies with an admission-restricted program (with NC), please apply from May 1 to July 15 via the following link.

Apply now for Relogious Studies!

For international students

Welcome!

Want to study one semester or year at the University of Erfurt?

Exchange Studies

You come from abroad and are interested in studying for a Bachelor's or Master's degree at the University of Erfurt?

Degree Seeking Students

Photo Credits: Adobe Stock (makam1969)

Consulting & Service

Student advice and counselling

Leonie Ducke
Leonie Ducke
Student Advisor Bachelor Religious Studies
(Faculty of Philosophy)
LG 4/ E10
Office hours
Nach Vereinbarung per Mail (Präsenz oder online)




Are you already studying Religious Studies?

continue to the subject area of Religious Studies