Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Semester fee
71
Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
6
Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt
Part-time studies possible
Yes
The KU’s European Studies program focuses on European cultural tradition and includes linguistics, literary studies, and cultural studies. It provides students with fundamental knowledge of cultural similarities and differences in Europe, the way European cultures see themselves and are seen by others, and the links between European and non-European cultures. It focuses on European encounters and experiences, cultural contact, and cultural conflict as areas that hold great potential for intercultural learning through advanced study of Western European cultures.
The program in detail
Structure
Semester 1: Acquiring fundamental knowledge
The first semester imparts fundamental knowledge by providing introductions to European cultural history, art history, literary studies and linguistics. The latter are designed as comparative modules. In addition, the program allows students to learn two chosen foreign languages that will be continued until the fourth semester.
Semester 2: Expanding on the basics
In the second semester, students expand on their acquired basic knowledge. In this semester, they focus on the module “Self-Perception and the Perception of Others” as well as on political science.
Semesters 3 and 4: Choosing elective modules to develop your profile
The elective module allows students to define a further specialization in the third and fourth semester. Students can choose from business administration, economics, history, journalism, geography, adult education and European ethnology. In addition, students go on a field trip in semester 4, in which they visit places of cultural-historical and/or political importance for Europe and in which they can connect their acquired theoretical knowledge with specific practical fields.
Semester 5: Expanding on intercultural experience
The fifth semester is all about intercultural experience. Students can enhance their profile further by spending a study period abroad. The internship, which is also anchored in the fifth semester, gives the students an idea of practical work as well as an additional qualification related to their professional field. It can be completed in Germany or abroad.
Semester 6: Final phase
Finally, in the sixth semester, students not only deepen their knowledge in literary studies, linguistics and art history or archaeology, they also write their Bachelor's thesis. The topic of the Bachelor's thesis has a European reference and is closely related to the contents of the degree program.
Rankings and assessments
KU students and alumni have voted for their University to be Germany's most popular university in the 2024 ranking of the online portal StudyCheck. This is the third time in a row, as KU was also voted the most popular university in 2021 and 2022. The ranking was based on over 78,000 evaluations for more than 500 higher education institutions and universities. 97 percent of students questioned for the ranking would recommend studying at the KU to others.
"There is no better praise for a university than almost 100 percent of students and alumni agreeing: I can only recommend studying at the KU! That is why we are very pleased with the ranking’s outcome, because it expresses the high level of satisfaction of our students," says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.
Studying abroad
Studying abroad is an indispensable component of this degree program and is an important pillar for the expansion of students’ skills and experience. The degree program has several partnerships in different countries. Students are also free to choose from the KU-wide range of partnerships.
Practical connection
The required internship is an important profile element of the Bachelor's degree program in European Studies and provides for the enhancement of self-learning and teaching skills as well as for a connection between studies and professional life. The internship that can be completed either in Germany or abroad, should last at least eight weeks and provide students with an insight into practical work experience as well as an additional qualification related to their chosen field of work. In the past, students have, for example, completed internships in the EU Parliament, in museums, at car manufacturers, in tourist information offices or in German embassies abroad.
Career possibilities and professional fields
Career prospects
Since the program teaches methodological skills in dealing with languages, texts and visual discourses, intercultural action and communication skills as well as skills related to various professional fields, students have a wide range of career options to choose from. The degree program particularly prepares students for activities in which leadership tasks, cultural management, as well as knowledge and information transfer take place against the background of cultural diversity. Former students of European Studies work, for example, in public relations, in publishing, in the management of regional/city cultural institutions or in marketing.
Alumni testimonials
"I studied the BA in European Studies: Language, Literature, and Culture from 2013-2016. Without this interdisciplinary program and its required semester abroad, I would not be where I am today. In my second semester, I took a seminar on multilingualism and language policy in Europe and discovered my passion for…
"I studied the BA in European Studies: Language, Literature, and Culture from 2013-2016. Without this interdisciplinary program and its required semester abroad, I would not be where I am today. In my second semester, I took a seminar on multilingualism and language policy in Europe and discovered my passion for sociolinguistics. With further courses in ethnology, I was able to add a social-anthropological component to my knowledge of linguistics and literature, and I was finally accepted for an international Master's degree in "Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism", which took me to three different countries (Lithuania, Germany and Sweden) and to three different universities (Vytautas-Magnus University, Johannes Gutenberg University, Stockholm University) from 2017-2019. Without the interdisciplinary structure of the Bachelor's program, I would not have been admitted to my further studies, since international stays and internships were also among the main criteria for admission to the Master's degree program.
Since September 2019, I am a doctoral student at Stockholm University in Sweden in the field of German linguistics and I carry out research in the field of linguistic ethnography. I owe all this to my beginnings in Eichstätt. I chose Malmö University in Sweden for my stay abroad in third year of the Bachelor’s program and fell in love with the country. I started to learn Swedish there and continued to learn the language after my return to Eichstätt in language courses offered at the KU. The Bachelor's degree at the KU was the initial spark for my current academic career.”
"I studied in the Bachelor’s and Master’s program in European Studies at the KU Eichstätt. The studies were very interesting and varied: You always had the opportunity to find your own direction and to deepen your knowledge in your field of interest. Especially great was the opportunity to learn different foreign…
"I studied in the Bachelor’s and Master’s program in European Studies at the KU Eichstätt. The studies were very interesting and varied: You always had the opportunity to find your own direction and to deepen your knowledge in your field of interest. Especially great was the opportunity to learn different foreign languages and the required semesters abroad, during which you were completely free with regard to the destination and choice of subjects. I also liked the good contact to the other students and professors, which is only possible because of the University’s relatively small size.
In my professional career, the degree programs have helped me to be able to work in a variety of fields. For example, I work in the International Office of a university and also work as a Spanish teacher at a vocational school.”
The KU
Campus
Short distances on campus at the KU save time and avoid stress. The KU is a campus University with modern facilities. The buildings on campus are located close to the Eichstätt old town. Although the University and its campus has grown, it is still characterized by short distances: In Eichstätt, everything can be reached within ten minutes’ walking distance. On campus, green spaces such as the Hofgarten are the perfect places to relax. The garden of the Kapuzinerkloster is also used by different student initiatives for their projects. The canteen is located at the heart of the Eichstätt campus and has a sun deck and cafeteria that leave nothing to be desired.
What sets the KU apart
Studying at the KU is more than just acquiring specialist knowledge. We broaden our horizons together and take on responsibility in and beyond the individual degree programs. The KU has a particular focus on topics such as personal development, sustainability, social skills and social commitment.
It offers its students the possibility to study and work in a welcoming atmosphere and benefit from outstanding support and comprehensive service offers, a well-stocked library, a broad range of sports and leisure activities and a large global network of approx. 300 partner universities. Our team at the International Office helps you to plan your semester abroad and the KU Career Service provides comprehensive advice and support for embarking on your professional career.
Do I have to be Catholic in order to study at the KU? Do I have to deal with Catholic contents during my studies?
No, the KU is open to students of all faiths and beliefs.
At the KU, just as at all state universities, there is freedom of research and teaching. This means that our degree programs focus on the subjects for which you have enrolled – free from external influences.
As a student at our University, you will notice what our understanding of being a Catholic University means for us in one thing in particular: The University’s focus is on the individual person. The talents and potential of all those who teach, study, work and carry out research at the KU form our most important foundation – regardless of their religion or beliefs, nationality, ethical, cultural or social background, disabilities, gender, sexual orientation or age.
This is why we promote your best possible academic education through personal support and an ideal staff-to-student ratio. At the same time, the KU is more than just a place for earning your degree: We attach particular importance to imparting social skills and advancing our students’ sense and value orientation in addition to providing them with a high level of academic and methodical qualification.
Our aspiration for our University is to build bridges between science and society and to make knowledge available for society as well as to integrate impulses from outside the University into our research and teaching practice. We aim to make a valuable contribution to social coexistence, to the free democratic basic order and to preserving creation.
Isn’t Eichstätt quite small for a university town?
With a population of around 15,000, it is probably the smallest university town in Europe. For our students, this means living and learning in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Whether it is on the way to a lecture in the morning, at the canteen for lunch or in the pub in the evening, you will often come across people you know. It is easy to meet people in Eichstätt! By the way, the KU’s “living room” is the Theke, a bar run by students for students. Here, people meet for parties, jam sessions, karaoke evenings or a cozy round of table football.
A small town also means short distances: The library, the swimming pool, the cinema or the supermarket – everything can be reached in a few minutes on foot or by bike. The town is located right in the heart of the Altmühltal natural park – a real paradise for climbers, canoeists, hikers and cyclists just around the corner.
Should you still reach a point when you feel too cooped in, you can breathe big city air easily near Eichstätt. Ingolstadt with its 135,000 inhabitants is only a few kilometers away and offers a variety of shopping and nightlife options.
The location
![[Translate to Englisch:] Biergarten](/fileadmin/22/Studiengaenge/Bilder_fuer_Studiengangwebseiten/Biergarten.jpg)
Eichstätt and the surrounding Altmühltal natural park are not only a popular destination for culture enthusiasts and nature lovers, but also for cyclists, climbers, canoeists and fossil collectors. Located between Munich and Nuremberg, the city impresses with its Baroque setting and southern flair combined with modern and prizewinning architecture as well as a broad variety of cultural offerings and leisure activities.
The Baroque park at the heart of the campus and the nearby banks of the Altmühltal river are the KU’s “green living room”. Another big advantage: all University facilities are just a short walk away from each other.
Advisory Service
Some offers and study conditions are different for international students – our International Office is happy to provide help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team. We are happy to accompany you on your way to the KU and hope that we can welcome you in person soon!
David
Guevara
Coordinator Welcome Services and International Campus
Building
Domplatz 8
|
Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt
Application
Requirements
General university entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife)
Language requirements
DSH 2
Application period winter
May 01
-
Jul 15
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
No
The application process for international applicants is now completely digital. You can register online in our application portal and carry out and submit your application. After you have carried out the application and uploaded your documents, you do not need to send your documents to us again by post. You do have to submit certified true copies only if you are admitted at the time of enrollment.
Depending on the course of study, you may be asked for information on internships, professional experience, etc. Please upload the relevant documents in the upload area for all the information you provide, even if these are not mandatory fields!
Before you start the application process, please read the additional information on this page, in particular the information on the respective (German) language requirements and university entrance qualifications.