Geography / Human geography
Degree
Bachelor of Science
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
No
In the 21st century, we are witnessing how geography is actively being reshaped: Spaces, access and usage limits are renegotiated on many different levels. In this context, the Human Geography program in Eichstätt opens up specialist and methodological perspectives for understanding and investigating these changes. The degree program will deepen your knowledge in core areas such as social, economic, urban, tourism and political geography, always with a focus on sustainable development and the interaction between society and the environment. You will also strengthen your skills in empirical social research, that is applied in seminars, field trips and research projects.
The program in detail
Contents
Geography studies are systematically structured and promote a comprehensive understanding of the subject:
- Foundations: You will start the program with a general introduction to geography in the first semesters. This foundation will be extended by required modules in urban and population geography, social geography, economic geography and regional developments in Europe and in a global context.
- Methodological skills: In a next step, you will acquire knowledge of empirical social research. You will later apply these methods in practical exercises, particularly in the large field exercise and the extensive project work.
- Specialization: In advanced semesters, you will deepen your knowledge in specialized areas such as society-environment research, geographical development research and changing focal points of human geography.
- Practical application: The large field exercises, often abroad, allow you to apply and deepen your knowledge in a practical context. They are a core part of the course.
- Project work: In the major project work, you will plan and implement a research project independently. This will train your ability to work scientifically and prepares you for your Bachelor's thesis.
- Supplementary modules: The range of courses is rounded off by required elective modules in regional planning, spatial planning, media geography and the theory of science.
Structure
The subject Human Geography can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor's degree program in the flexible profile with at least 30 ECTS credits (minor subject) or 60 – 85 ECTS credits (major subject). In the required area, students complete Human Geography modules worth 20 ECTS credits. In the required elective area, students can choose from a wide range of modules. These are listed in the required electives catalog.
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.
Subject-specific awards
In the 2021 university ranking of the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE), the KU once again achieved top rankings with its range of courses, including those offered in the Geography Department. In the survey, Geography students at the KU rated the organization of their studies as above average, as well as the support they receive from lecturers and their ability to take criticism.
Studying abroad
We consider stays abroad an important personal experience and a significant factor in the competition for an attractive job. The KU maintains a partnership network with around 300 universities worldwide. The KU International Office supports students in the planning phase and provides information on different financing possibilities for stays abroad. Completing a semester abroad at one of our partner universities offers you the following benefits:
- Enhancing your international profile
- Developing your intercultural skills
- Expanding on your subject-specific and methodical knowledge
- Increasing your chances on the job market
- Gathering life experience and strengthening self-confidence
It is possible to study abroad in a KU-supported program:
- at selected universities in the USA, Australia and Asia
- in Central and South America in cooperation with the partners of the Center for Latin American Studies
- at European partner universities of the KU in the context of the ERASMUS program
In addition, students have the possibility to apply at almost every foreign university in their own initiative as a free mover.
Practical connection
At the KU, theoretical knowledge is supplemented by practical experience and consolidation. We offer numerous field trips to many parts of the world in order give students the possibility to experience what they have learned in a practical context. Practical experience is also the focus of our student organizations: The association "TOPAS e.V." realizes projects in the tourism sector in cooperation with external principals.
The program includes participation in a large field trip (10-12 days) and practical participation in a field research project. As part of the degree program, students must also complete a mandatory internship in which they gain experience in the job market in the field of geography. Furthermore, you will qualify for a future career in science, administration and practical fields through practice-oriented training in the field of spatial planning and development as well as the acquisition of well-founded methods of empirical social research.
Career possibilities and professional fields
Career prospects
Geographers are active in a wide variety of fields – with public and private employers, in practice and research. Graduates find employment in expert and planning offices, government agencies, regional planning, urban development, tourism management and consulting.
Alumni testimonials
"I work at Spessart Tourismus und Marketing GmbH in the outdoor sector and soon I will also be working in location marketing.
Since I had the desire to work in a DMO from the very beginning, the search was a bit bumpy at first because I had very specific ideas for my career entry. After six months, however, I found a…
"I work at Spessart Tourismus und Marketing GmbH in the outdoor sector and soon I will also be working in location marketing.
Since I had the desire to work in a DMO from the very beginning, the search was a bit bumpy at first because I had very specific ideas for my career entry. After six months, however, I found a position that perfectly suited me in the immediate vicinity of my home town of Aschaffenburg in the Spessart in Gelnhausen (Hesse).
In my daily work, I benefit in particular from the applied projects of the Chair of Tourism as well as the knowledge about structures from the courses. The field trips have also given me a very good insight into practical work. In a small team, I immediately had the chance to take responsibility and to implement projects in a self-determined way, as was also the case with the project work at the KU. The ‘I&K’ modules is particularly important, since the digitalization of tourist data plays an enormous and important role and is the basis of successful tourism marketing. Also the theoretical knowledge regarding spatial events can be applied very well in practice".
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.