Religious Education

Degree
Bachelor of Arts (FH)
Semester fee
71 Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
7 Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt
Part-time studies possible
Yes

The degree program prepares students for work in the community, school and other social and cultural areas. It offers a close connection between practice and theoretical foundations: e.g. the fourth semester is designed as a practical semester. You will acquire knowledge and skills in the fields of theology, religious education, psychology and pedagogy. In addition, your personal development and your didactic-methodical, social and spiritual skills will be promoted. You can set thematic priorities during your studies. The Religious Education Learning Workshop, the medial and experiential educational program, as well as field trips offer a wide range of study opportunities.

The program in detail

Contents

The course of study in religious education and church education work is scheduled for seven semesters. It imparts knowledge and skills in the various fields of theology and religious education studies. In addition, you will receive a basic introduction to subjects in the field of the humanities, such as psychology and education. In addition to specialist knowledge, your personality development and your didactic-methodical, social and spiritual skills are promoted.

From the various subject areas, courses are, for example, offered on the writings of the Old and New Testaments, the organization of religious services, moral theology and philosophy, methodological-didactic approaches to religious education, psychological methods of conversation, media education in youth pastoral care and special needs education.

In addition to the courses at the University, the program is accompanied by several practical phases (internships). These practical phases take place in schools and communities, or in social institutions. The fourth semester is a complete practical semester. In close cooperation with the dioceses, all internships are supervised and accompanied by university lecturers.

In the higher semesters, students can choose from one of the following specializations: "Youth and School Pastoral Care", "Religious Education and Pastoral Care for People with Disabilities" or "Elementary Religious Education". It is possible to acquire the additional qualification of social pedagogy during the course of studies.

The study program is characterized by a very good staff-to-student ratio and support relationships. In addition to the required courses, field trips and elective modules make the study program varied.

Structure

Semesters 1 to 3

  • Specialist foundations in the biblical subjects of systematic and practical theology
  • Religious Education
  • Psychology and Education

Semester 4

Practical semester

The practical semester is usually completed in the home diocese.

Semesters 5 to 7

Thematic specialization with freely selectable areas of specialization

The following specializations are offered:

  • Youth and School Pastoral Care
  • Religious Education and Pastoral Care for People with Disabilities
  • Elementary Religious Education

Furthermore, students can take courses in several elective modules.

Facilities

Students of the program can make use of the Religious Education Learning Workshop (available in german).

The rooms offer material, musical instruments, a library and space to create your own study projects in a group or individually. It is a special place for exchange, meetings and study.

Furthermore, the technical equipment of the Media Education Learning Workshop (available in german) is available to students to work on media projects in the context of seminars or on their own initiative.

Rankings and assessments

StudyCheck2024

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.

More ranking results

Studying abroad

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.

Practical connection

The degree program is accompanied by practical phases. These enable students to combine theoretical knowledge and practical experience and to reflect on each. All internships during the course of study are accompanied by supervisors in the internship institutions and University lecturers.

Before the start of the degree program (if necessary): Proof of six weeks of practical work

Internships:

  • Semester 1: Introductory internship
  • Semester 3: Four-week religious educational block internship
  • Semester 4: Practical study semester
  • Semester 5: Accompanying internship to religious classes
  • Semester 6: Specialization internship according to student’s choice in semester 6

Career possibilities and professional fields

Career prospects

The degree program opens up the professional fields of a parish worker and/or religion teacher in church service. This means that you will work e.g. in a kindergarten, in elementary or special needs schools or in a parish. Both fields of activity offer very good employment prospects. In addition, you can use the acquired skills to open up numerous other professional fields in the social and cultural field. If you are interested, there is the possibility of further qualification in a Master's degree program.

Alumni testimonials

Oetter_Katja

"The reason why I started the Bachelor’s program in Religious Education was the desire to turn my hobby/my honorary office in the parish and in the Catholic youth work into my profession and to pass on the experiences which shaped me as a person very much. My motivation was to fill these experiences with a theoretical…

"The reason why I started the Bachelor’s program in Religious Education was the desire to turn my hobby/my honorary office in the parish and in the Catholic youth work into my profession and to pass on the experiences which shaped me as a person very much. My motivation was to fill these experiences with a theoretical background in order to become more capable of acting in the future and to be able to actively participate in the development of the Church’s path.

What I liked about the Bachelor’s program in Religious Education in Eichstätt was the intensity of the program, which is mainly due to the smaller classes. This is how a sense of community and deep friendships can develop between the students. The opportunity to get to know lecturers and fellow students and to work together without having the feeling of just being an anonymous student registration number.

My tip for the first-year students in the Bachelor’s program in Religious Education: Enjoy it! Enjoy your time of study, take as much experiences with you as possible, try things out and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Question yourself and your beliefs, look for companions and make religious education your own.

After my second service exam as a parish worker, I decided to study again and ended up in special needs education. Here, I can build on pedagogical contents, but also on basic ethical attitudes. My view of the human life, which I have developed during my studies in Religious Education, accompanies me in my new course of studies and shapes my attitude in my work with the people entrusted to me."

- Katja Oetter
Engl_Andrea

"What was most impressive for me about the Bachelor’s program in Religious Education in Eichstätt was the sense of community, which I had never experienced so strongly before. It was very special for me to find so many like-minded people in my faith, with which I had always been alone before. I have never experienced…

"What was most impressive for me about the Bachelor’s program in Religious Education in Eichstätt was the sense of community, which I had never experienced so strongly before. It was very special for me to find so many like-minded people in my faith, with which I had always been alone before. I have never experienced such an open community in which everyone could participate, no matter how different everyone was. Moreover, the atmosphere is so friendly and intimate that you quickly find a second home. It was also very positive that many courses had a practical focus and that every lecturer was responsive to the students and their questions on the respective topics. Like this, the teaching practice was rarely dry, but very lively. I also found it very pleasant that the lecturers actually know their students. I was more than just a number.

I would recommend the study program to others, because you really learn a lot for yourself and your life here, even if you maybe decide to focus on a different career path afterwards, and because I can't imagine any study program that takes such good care of every single student.

My tip for the first-year students in the Bachelor’s program in Religious Education: Don’t be afraid! My time in Eichstätt has helped me to be the best version of myself. I have grown considerably because I had the courage to take this step. Have the courage! Everything else will follow.

In my daily work as a parish worker, I can often fall back on the contents of my studies, e.g. when preparing for church services, devotions or Bible circles, in working with youth groups or when I am looking for new ideas. Personally, I have taken Eichstätt, the faculty and the people very much into my heart. Especially the friendships that I made there and that still accompany me today give me a lot of joy.”

- Andrea Engl(parish worker in the parish of Mainburg-Sandelzhausen-Oberempfenbach)

The KU

Sommerresidenz Luftbild

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.

Studierende vor der Zentralbibliothek

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

Ortsschild Eichstätt
University town of Eichstätt
Willibaldsburg
Willibaldsburg
Bootsfahrer auf der Altmühl
Canoeing on the Altmühl river
[Translate to Englisch:] Biergarten
Relaxing and celebrating in beer gardens

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.

More on the study location Eichstätt

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
David Guevara
Coordinator Welcome Services and International Campus
Building Domplatz 8  |  Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt

Application

Requirements
Fachhochschule entrance qualification
no pre-study internship required for the 2022/23 winter semester
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.