FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Below you find answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Prospective Students

Applicants

Entrants

Contents of Study

Counselling Services

Internship

Project

Studying Abroad

Bachelor Thesis/End of Studies

Cultural Engineering and Master Programmes

 

Prospective Students

What does CE mean?

CE is the abbreviation for Cultural Engineering, a unique Bachelor programme in Germany. The partly English-taught and interdisciplinary programme focuses on cultural studies and offers additional specialisations in the branches of logistics, economics, and computer sciences. Therefore, it provides students who have a wide range of interests with the possibility to observe and study social phenomena from various academic perspectives. During the programme's eight semesters, students will be given the opportunity to develop their individual profile, e.g. through project work, during a study abroad and during a mandatory internship.

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For whom is the study programme suitable?

The programme addresses prospected students who, above all, are curious. Furthermore, they should be willing to be open to problems and working areas which require thoroughly different approaches; this is what makes studying interesting. Students are required to possess English language skills on secondary school level, as some of the courses are taught in English. On the whole, the programme requires and promotes a high level of self-reliance and self-organisation.

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Which qualification objectives are pursued?

Graduates possess

  • basic, discipline-specific knowledge in cultural studies.
  • the ability to diagnose and develop organisations as social, cultural and technological systems.
  • methodological competencies enabling them to apply their knowledge to practical social fields.
  • competencies to acquire knowledge.
  • the ability to work self-reliantly and in a problem-oriented manner in an academic context.
  • the ability to analyse and interpret both literary and non-literary texts, cultural documents, and media from different historical periods and genres.
  • the ability to produce texts both orally and in writing and to visualise work results.

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Which abilities will graduates possess?

Graduates are able to reflect on the social importance of interdisciplinary perspectives and to contribute their specialised competencies to professional and social commitment. They are aware of phenomena of cultural and social heterogeneity and are able to reflect on these as central conditions of professional actions contexts. Graduates recognise the importance of sustainable development and are able to comment on social conflicts and nature-culture-interactions in an academic manner. Moreover, the programme fosters personality development goals such as critical reflection and assessment, cooperation and teamwork, a sense of responsibility, communication and moderation skills, intercultural competencies and leadership skills.

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In which professional fields can graduates be employed?

Graduates are typically employed in the following working areas:

  • public relations
  • NGOs
  • cultural institutions, cultural industry
  • education companies
  • publishing houses, broadcasting, press
  • event management
  • marketing, market research, sales
  • organisation development, consulting
  • human resources, coachings, personnel training
  • urban development
  • logistics
  • quality management
  • IT

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Why should I choose an interdisciplinary study programme?

Interdisciplinary programmes are constantly gaining in importance. Many students choose them in order to have a broad range of professional opportunities after graduation. As interdiciplinary all-rounders, our graduates are constantly working at professional interfaces. They are trained to approach complex tasks in a comprehensive and connecting way. They moderate processes, organisations, and procjects and are able to align discipline-specific perspectives with users’ daily needs. Cultural Engineering graduates bring project partner together who speak different in different professional jargons without losing sight of users’ needs. In doing so, they frequently combine otherwise separated approaches to tasks, which makes them appear in a different light and thus often enables sustainable problem solutions. For example, sometimes aesthetic decisions are what is needed between the functional requirements of architecture and social science’s statistics. In a different professional circumstances, it may be prudent to mediate between the best solution in terms of information technology and the appropriate workplace environment. It is in these contexts that corporate culture and people-centred knowledge management are brought together.

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Why is the duration of study eight instead of six semesters?

In contrast to most Bachelor programmes in Germany, Cultural Engineering runs for eight semesters of study. Students will devote one semester’s extent of work (30 CP) to transdisciplinary projects with social relevance and study one full semester at an international host university. Moreover, extending the duration of study ensures the transition of students into discipline-specific Master programmes despite the lack of a consecutive Master in Cultural Engineering. By profiling in one specific field of Cultural Engineering, students can acquire enough CP to meet the admission requirements of discipline-specific Master programmes. It follows that the choice of classes in the profiling modules (C) allows for extending the Bachelor programme’s cultural studies field (A) to 135 CP and the specialisation field to 155 CP in order to secure the CE programme’s compatibility with the respective Master programmes.

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Which language skills do I need?

As the programme is partly taught in English, applicants must prove that they have knowledge of the English language. Proof can be provided by presenting the university entrance qualification or an adequate language test at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The German university entrance qualification (Abitur) usually shows the language level according to the CEFR. If the level B2 is not noted here, an English education of four Abitur semesters completed with an average of 10 points is alternatively accepted as proof of language proficiency. Applicants who are found to have no proof of language proficiency will receive information from the Registrar's Office on how this can be obtained for enrolment at the OVGU via the university's own Language Centre. The test dates of the Language Centre are always published on this page under News shortly before the application deadline. Alternatively, commercial language certificates are also accepted. You can find more information on language tests here. Applicants without German university entrance certificate will also have to provide evidence for their knowledge of the German language by DSH level 2, TestDaf level 4, the ZOP or equivalent certificates.

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How do I ascertain if my knowledge of maths is sufficient for the study programme?

Applicants who want to test their skills in the natural science fields of the programme may find the MINTFIT Hamburg’s online test useful in this regard. The tests offer a self-assessment in maths, physics, and chemistry. Moreover, they provide the opportunity to close gaps with the help of e-learning classes before the start of studies.

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Why should I study in Magdeburg?

Magdeburg is located both near the geographical centre of Germany and near the federal capital Berlin and has good traffic connections. The capital of Saxony-Anhalt offers ample opportunity for social and political commitment. Many historical changes have transformed Magdeburg into a city with a lot of potential, which calls for its citizens’ contribution and provides possibilities to implement one’s own ideas. Magdeburg is currently applying for European Capital of Culture 2025. Magdeburg’s low costs of living appeal to students in particular. The university campus is located directly in the city centre and provides modern facilities. Equally notable is Magdeburg’s vibrant student life, to which Cultural Engineers contribute actively. The Cultural Engineering programme is tied to the broad range of courses offered by the OVGU and the curricula of other faculties provide the possibility to focus on, for instance, technology or economics. In this regard, the OVGU’s rich tradition as a technical university and the big Faculties of Economics and Computer Sciences add to the pluralistic character of the humanities. Moreover, the usually manageable course size facilitates individual supervision. Learning in groups fosters teamwork, allows to spread high workloads in big projects, and provides peer-to-peer counsel and support. Different partners in the fields of economics, public institutions, politics, and art supports the implementation of creative ideas. Many students realise local projects with museums, theatres, arts and leisure centres, freelance artists, art societies, and other social actors.

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How do I gain insights into the programme?

The OVGU offers to prospective students the opportunity to spend one day with students and accompany them during their everyday life at university. You can attend classes with students, eat at the cafeteria and, above all, ask a lot of questions. In order to apply for the “Student for one Day” project, please turn to the Campus Service Center or the CE student representatives.

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Applicants

Are there any admission restrictions?

As well as for other programmes at university applicants need a university entrance certificate that compares to the German Abitur. As the programme is partly taught in English, applicants must prove that they have knowledge of the English language. Proof can be provided by presenting the university entrance qualification or an adequate language test at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The German university entrance qualification (Abitur) usually shows the language level according to the CEFR. If the level B2 is not noted here, an English education of four Abitur semesters completed with an average of 10 points is alternatively accepted as proof of language proficiency. Applicants who are found to have no proof of language proficiency will receive information from the Registrar's Office on how this can be obtained for enrolment at the OVGU via the university's own Language Centre. The test dates of the Language Centre are always published on this page under News shortly before the application deadline. Alternatively, commercial language certificates are also accepted. You can find more information on language tests here. Applicants without German university entrance certificate will also have to provide evidence for their knowledge of the German language by DSH level 2, TestDaf level 4, the ZOP or equivalent certificates. There are no further admission restrictions.

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Where do I need to apply?

Applicants with a German university entrance certificate will have to apply directly to the OVGU (click here for application) whereas applicants without German university entrance certificate will have to apply via uni-assist (click here for application). The application documents are to be sent to:

Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg
Department of Student Affairs
Student Administration Office
PSF 4120
D-39016 Magdeburg

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Which documents do I need to submit for an application?

The following documents must be submitted to the OVGU for an application:

  • registration for enrolment from the online application (application portal for national applicants; application portal for international applicants)
  • officially certified copy of the university entrance qualification (certificate of higher education entrance qualification)
  • if required for the degree programme, proof of having passed the aptitude test or proof of foreign language skills (e.g. TOEFL test)
  • in the case of a change of university/application for a higher subject semester, the certificates or proof of previous achievements
  • proof of any service you may have done

additionally, if you have already studied once before:

  • a certificate of exmatriculation (can be submitted later)
  • certificate of study history (a chronological list of your previous university studies)
  • for a second degree, the certificate of your first degree as an officially certified copy and an informal application stating the reasons for your application
  • for placement in a higher subject-related semester, the certificates of achievement you have already achieved

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Until when do I have to apply?

Enrolment in the B.A. programme Cultural Engineering is only possible in the winter semester. Applicants without a German university entrance certificate will have to apply until 15 July. Applicants with a German university entrance certificate will have to apply until 15 September.

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If I change to a higher CE semester, can I also enrol in the summer semester?

Regularly, enrolment in the B.A. programme Cultural Engineering is only possible in the winter semester. However, if an applicant from another university applies for CE and is placed in a higher semester, they can also enrol in the summer semester. The prerequisite for this is that the student advisor recognises at least the CP that should have been gained up to this semester. In the case of an application for the second semester, for example, this means that at least the 30 CP to be completed in the first semester must be recognised.
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When do I get my admission notice?

The dispatch of admission notices depends first and foremost on the moment of application. Applications are processed centrally in the university’s Department of Academic Affairs. Sometimes admission notices can arrive days after your applications, but sometimes they can take weeks to arrive. In your admission notice, you will be requested to submit further documentation. For further information, please consult the FAQ of the Registrar’s Office.

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Entrants

What happens during the introductory week?

The introductory week aims at familiarising students with the university and your respective study programme in order to help you getting started with your studies. Events will encompass welcoming events of the faculty and of the programme. Moreover, the university hosts a matriculation ceremony and the university library offers an introduction to new students. The student representatives (FaCE) organise a meeting to get to know each other, a campus tour, a city tour, and help with building timetables.

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Who is responsible for student advising and where do I find them?

The student advisor is the main contact person of any study programme, who helps the students with their inquiries concerning the programme. The student advisor for Cultural Engineering is Dr. Nora Pleßke (building 40, room 270). Additional appointments besides the regular office hours can be requested via e-mail.

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Where do I get help with inquiries concerning my studies?

For questions about studying in general, please consult with the Registrar's Office or the Campus Service Center. Questions concerning Cultural Engineering are best put to the student advisor. In addition, you can always ask the members of the Cultural Engineering student representatives (FaCE) for help or advice.

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Where do I have to validate my student ID?

The student ID card (UniCard) is a chip card which also serves as library card, student ticket, and money card in the cafeteria and at the copy stations. The UniCard has to be validated at the beginning of each semester. You can find validation stations at the following locations:

  • building 01 (Campus Service Center)
  • building 06 (lobby)
  • building 10 (ground floor, next to the elevator)
  • building 26 (in front of lecture hall 1)
  • building 40 (ground floor, main entrance)
  • dean’s office of the Faculty of Medicine (campus university hospital / building 2)

These validation stations are different from the top up stations located, for example, at the cafeteria’s entrance or the library. At the top up stations, you can top up your UniCard with credit in order to use it as money card. Please note that these stations only accept notes, no coins. You can find additional information about the UniCard here.

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How do I register with the library?

At the beginning of your studies, you will have to register with the library by presenting your student ID. In addition, you will need to fill in a registration form, which you can get at the registration desk or print in advance. In addition, international students will have to present their passport and accommodation registry. You can find more information about registering with the library here.

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How do I check my e-mails?

In order to check your e-mails, you need an OVGU account. This account was generated automatically when you enrolled at the university and has to be activated once via the university computing centre’s (URZ) website. Afterwards, you can log in to your account at the webmail server. For further information, please see the computer centre’s FAQ or website.

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Which courses are compulsory for first-year students?

The study and examination regulations (SER) determine that first-year students take courses in the following modules: “Culture and Identity” (10 CP), “Technical Logistics” (5 CP), “Introduction to Business Administration” (5 CP), “Introduction to Business Information Systems” (5 CP) and “Mathematical Methodology I”. Please see the module handbook for the specific contents of the respective courses. You can find the current course offers in the LSF. Here you can find an overview over the curriculum.

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How do the LSF and myOVGU work?

Behind the abbreviation LSF hides the university’s administration system. In the LSF, students can build and manage timetables and enrol in courses. Moreover, they can register for exams and see their grades after having sat for exams. In order to get access to the LSF’s functions, you have to log in with your OVGU account data. You can find an extensive FAQ to navigating the LSF here. In myOVGU, you manage personal data and re-register for later semesters. There is also a FAQ for myOVGU. Moreover, you can combine the functions of the two platforms by using the “UniNow” app, which was developed by two OVGU graduates. The app also offers a linkup to your e-mail and library accounts and displays the cafeteria menu.

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How do I build my timetable?

Building timetables can be done in the LSF. After logging in, you first have to search courses, bookmark them, and import them into the empty timetable. Alternatively, the menu item “Curricula Timetable” offers an overview of the course offer for your study programme in the current semester which can then be imported into your personal timetable. Here you can find help with building timetables in the LSF. Moreover, the student representatives offer a guided session for timetable building during the introductory week. If there are further questions, please turn to the student advisor.

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When and how do I have to enrol in courses?

You can enrol to courses via the LSF. After logging in, you will see the option to enrol into a specific course next to the possibility to import it into your timetable. Courses have different periods of time during which you can enrol, although enrolment starts mostly a few weeks before the start of the semester. However, this process does not guarantee enrolment in the course but only secures a place on the waiting list. The actual enrolment takes place after the end of the enrolment period. You can see the state of your enrolment (e.g. “registered” or “enrolled”) in your timetable. If there are parallel groups of one course, you can prioritise up to three of them. You will be enrolled in one of the groups with consideration of your priorities. However, it is recommended to attend the first session of a course even if you were not enrolled via the LSF and talk to the instructors. Possibly, other students who are enrolled will withdraw, so you may take their place.

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What is Moodle and how do I use it?

Moodle is the OVGU’s e-learning platform where instructors make course material available. Use your OVGU account data to log in. The dashboard provides an overview of the current and the last semester as well as of other associated institutions, such as the library. You can find the course you are looking for in the respective semester section and enrol. Sometimes, instructors protect their e-learning courses with a key, which is usually provided in the first session. After having enrolled into the respective e-learning course, you can access the material provided by the instructor. The dashboard also offers shortcuts to the courses you have enrolled in. Please note that enrolling in Moodle only serves the purpose of sharing course material and is completely detached from enrolment processes via the LSF or exam registration.

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Contents of Study

How extensive is the workload?

The workload encompasses, among other things, course attendance, preparation and revision of classes, self-reliant engagement with the course contents and examinations. 1 Credit Point (CP) is equivalent to approx. 30 hours of work. As the workload for one semester is approx. 30 CP, this equals around 900 hours of work. The programme’s cultural studies field in particular demands the preparation and revision of classes and a high willingness to read.

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Do compulsory modules in cultural studies (PM 1 to PM 4) have to be taken in numerical order?

The obligatory module 1 (PM 1) is planned for the first semester as an introduction to studying at a university. As it encompasses the obligatory attendance of the “Introduction to Cultural Studies” lecture (6 CP) and one accompanying seminar (4 CP), the module can already be completed in the first semester with a total of 10 CP. These courses build the foundation for the other cultural studies modules PM 2, PM 3, and PM 4. In the course of study, you are free to choose from the course offers in the respective modules provided you gain 10 CP in each module. Whereas PM 2 and PM 3 are more or less interchangeable in terms of order, courses in PM 4 are designed for more advanced students (sixth to eighth semester). It is recommended to complete a module in two consecutive semesters as courses within any module usually build on one another. All in all, you should be mindful not to exceed the designated workload of 30 CP per semester (too much) when you build your timetable.

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Am I still able to enrol in PM 1 courses which spark my interest after the first semester?

Even after the completion of any module, not just PM 1, you can enrol in courses in the respective modules. On the one hand, any course can be attended as “guest auditor” without taking examination, provided there is enough capacity. On the other, courses can be credited as optional studies with either 4 or 6 CP depending on the type of examination. If you take more courses than can be credited for your final Bachelor grade, you can nonetheless have them noted on the Bachelor certificate, provided you have taken examination in those courses and not just attended as guest auditor. This might be advisable for students who want to continue their studies with a discipline-specific Master programme and have to gain credits to meet the admission requirements.

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How do cultural studies relate to the engineering and economic courses?

The programme’s cultural studies field (A) encompasses a total workload of 40 credit points (CP) in the obligatory modules (PM 1 to 4). Moreover, the cultural studies field can be extended up to 135 CP by taking cultural studies courses in the profiling field (C). Accordingly, the technical and economical specialisation field (B) encompasses 60 CP but can be extended by profiling up to 155 CP.

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Why do Cultural Engineers need maths anyway?

The maths courses in the programme are tailored to students from the Faculties of Humanities and Economics and aim at providing practical mathematical methodology for the technical subjects in the specialisation field (logistics, economics, computer sciences). Furthermore, mathematical methodology is especially relevant for empirical quantitative analysis and financing and calculating projects. The maths courses build on secondary school skills. In addition to the regular courses, the Faculty of Mathematics also offers “MathsSupport” classes.

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Does the programme include dedicated English language classes?

No, the curriculum does not encompass language practice classes. However, the courses offered by the Chair of Anglophone Cultural and Literary Studies are usually taught in English and thus provide improving language skills in addition to dealing with cultural studies topics. These courses can be credited in PM 1 to PM 4 and as optional studies. Dedicated language practice classes are offered by the OVGU’s language centre (SPRZ). Besides UniCert English classes, which can be credited, you will find uncredited refresher classes. Please note that the language centre charges fees for their classes.

Do I need to take one semester off for my internship and/or the project module?

As specified by the Cultural Engineering study and examination regulation (SER), one semester is already reserved for project work (25 CP) and internship (5 CP). Thus, a semester of leave is not necessarily required. However, should you desire to take a semester of leave for any reason, please consult with the student advisor and the examination office in advance. You will have to submit a written request to the Campus Service Center (building 01). Please note that during a semester of leave successful examinations can only be credited with a maximum of 18 CP.

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Which courses can I take for optional studies?

In general, you can take all CE courses that have not been credited for other modules yet. In addition, you can take language classes (only UNIcert courses for credits), all courses at the Faculty of Humanities which do not explicitly exclude optional studies students, and courses from other faculties which are included in the catalogue for nontechnical optional subjects (Nicht-Technische Wahlfächer) and key competencies (Schlüsselkompetenzen).

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Which courses do I have to take for the communication training module (PM 46)?

The communication training module PM 46 can be completed with two assignments (Studiennachweis) in two different courses. Both of these courses have to amount to 4 semester hours and will be accredited with 5 CP in total. Please note that taking one course with 4 semester hours does not suffice for the completion of the module, as you need to take a secound course. The CP given for the course in the LSF are irrelevant for CE students, but they may serve you as an indicator for the workload the course demands.

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Which deadlines for examination registration are relevant for me?

In general, CE students have to register for their examinations with the examination office of the Faculty for Humanities (FHW). From this follows that the FHW deadlines apply for examination registration. However, examinations at the Faculty of Economics (FWW) are exempt from this regulation, here the FWW deadlines apply.

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Counselling Services

Whom can I contact when I have questions regarding my studies?

If you have questions regarding your studies, please contact the Student Advisor PD Dr. Nora Pleßke to schedule an appointment.

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Whom can I contact with regard to discrimination, mental health, or experience of violence?

If you have experienced or are experiencing discrimination, mental health issues, or violence, the OVGU, the City of Magdeburg, the Federal State Saxony-Anhalt and the Federal Republic of Germany provide counselling and supporting services. We have put together a list of these services here. Please note that we cannot guarantee that all of these services provide their help in languages other than German.

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Who are the officers for equality, families, and inclusion?

Lena Merkle, M.A. is the FHW Equality Officer. Dr. Frank Lesske is the FHW Families Officer. Dr. Steffi Kaltenborn is the FHW Inclusion contact.Here you can find their contact information at a glance.

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Whom can I contact when I have questions regarding my study abroad?

Students, who are going abroad with the WELTWEIT programme, may contactSylvia Seela. Students, who are going abroad with the ERASMUS programme, may contactAnne Schulze. The OVGU's International Office also offers regular inital consultation hours.

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Internship

Does the internship have to last four weeks?

The internship is credited with 5 CP and thus is equivalent to 150 hours of work, or four weeks in full employment. However, internships can also be done in part-time alongside the studies. Internships may last longer than four weeks, most ads ask for three or six months, but will be credited with 5 CP in any case. Longer internships may lead to having to extend the duration of study if, for instance, a semester of leave is necessary. If you plan to do a longer internship and/or request a semester of leave, please consult with the student advisor. Additional information can be found in the internship regulations and on this website.

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Where do I find information about current internship opportunities?

Here you can find current internship opportunities. To keep up to date we recommend subscribing to the RSS feed. Additional opportunities can be found on the website of the Leonardo Bureau Saxony-Anhalt and pertinent job boards.

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What do I have to do in order to get my internship recognised for credits?

Each internship has to be completed with an internship contract. Contacting institutions or businesses for which you wish to work is essentially your job. However, the student advisor and the respective institutes and divisions of the faculty offer support in this regard. The examination office provides a template internship contract, but the respective businesses may prefer to use their own teplates. The internship encompasses tasks from a field of work relevant to the study programme and should be done in an organisation outside of the university. The programme director decides whether the chosen institution or enterprise is suitable for credit recognition. The organisation has to issue an internship certificate, a template for which is also provided by the examination office. Please note that the original signatures and stamps of the internship institution and the student advisor are required on the same document in order to receive credit. In addition, the student has to submit a report of approx. five pages (approx. 1,500 words). Further information can be found in the internship regulations and on this website.

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How can I fund an internship abroad?

There are a number of possibilities to get funding for an internship abroad. The following how-to websites on internships offer a comprehensive overview:

In addition, you can apply for international BAföG or scholarships provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to fund your internship abroad. The DAAD in particular offers a scholarship database in which you will also find scholarships targeted at applicants who want to do an internship abroad.

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Does a longer internship abroad substitute for studying abroad?

No, a longer internship abroad does not substitute for the mandatory stay at an international host university. The curriculum requires you to stay at an international university for at least one semester and do 30 credits or more.

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Who has to sign the internship contract?

The internship regulation demands an internship contract which regulates your rights and duties as an intern. For this purpose, the examination office provides a template contract. You and the company in which you do your internship are the relevant parties to this contract. Thus, even though the examination office's template allows for the signature of the student advisor, your signature and the signature of a company representative suffice.

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Project

Am I able to act freely with my projects or do I have to choose a project offered by the OVGU?

You can initiate projects yourself or participate in external projects. In any case, consulting with the student advisor is recommended. You will have to document the workload and the specific project work in a project portfolio in order to secure the recognition of credits in the profiling field (C). What is important here is the project character of the work you do. Additional information as well as a list of potential partners and existing projects can be found here.

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Can I get projects counted for credit which I did during my internship?

As a general rule, projects which are realised as part of an internship or a side job cannot be recognised for credits. This is to prevent normal, practical, executive tasks to be declared as “project work”. However, additional tasks can be credited if they reflect the student’s personal creative contribution, show social commitment, and are of a character as specified here. In any case, this needs to be viewed case by case and depends on your specific tasks and the project character. Please make an appointment with the student advisor to discuss your case.

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Is it possible to earn less CP in the project module and more in other study areas, e.g. in optional studies?

No, in the project module PM 38 25 CP must be earned.

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Can the CP of the project module also be acquired through other seminars?

No, the CP can only be acquired through project seminars. If seminars are taken with a view to concrete theoretical, methodological or thematic aspects of a specific project (e.g. for concept or implementation), the CP can be credited. Pay attention to proportionality in this respect.

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Can I bring voluntary work into the project module?

Voluntary work, e.g. with an association or a club, cannot be credited. An exception to this is if you design your own projects as part of your voluntary work. Please discuss your ideas with the student advisor beforehand to ensure that they can be credited.

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Can I get credits for continuing education seminars in the project module?

You can have continuing education seminars credited to you, if they were completed as part of a project activity, i.e. if the corresponding courses are linked to a project for which you are undergoing continuing education. The completed continuing education courses must reflect the transfer character that the module handbook for PM 38 stipulates as a competence. It is best to make an appointment in advance with the study advisor to explore individual possibilities.

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How many projects do I have to include in the project portfolio?

There is neither a minimum nor a maximum number of projects, but the hours of work are important in this respect. The project portfolio needs to contain documentation for all of the 750 hours of work which the student wants to be credited for the project module. This is not limited to the description of the specific project but also includes a documentation of the work performed and a contemplation. For further information, please consult the project manual.

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How does the project portfolio have to look like?

The project portfolio documents your project work. Please consult the project manual when creating the portfolio. Generally, the documentation of your project work should not stop at describing the projects alone, but also evaluate the transfer and implementation of previously learned theories and methodes, which are put into practice in the project module. This entails that your portfolio reflects the projects' relevance, which can be of social, academic, economic or other character. In addition, the portfolio should follow the criteria of academic writing and conform to the formal and structural guidelines specified in the Style Guide.

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Am I allowed to count the work I put into the creation of the project portfolio?

The work put into the creation of the project portfolio can be counted as project work if it is documented accordingly. In any case, creating the portfolio should not take more than 30 hours (equivalent to 1 CP).

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Do I have to present all projects in the context of a university event?

No, you only have to present one project, provided that during a university event you do not only present the project results but also the progress. This kind of presentation is different from project presentations as they are common in an economy context, such as client presentations, since presenting your project work is regarded part of the academic examination. After having presented, please include your presntation in the portfolio. You can find a list of possible events suitable for a project presentation here.

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Can I present projects that I have done in the course "Introduction to Project Management"?

No, because the final presentation is part of the module PM 38. The course "Introduction to Project Management" forms the module PM 37. Projects that were carried out there can therefore not be part of an examination in another module. In addition, you are supposed to demonstrate reflection skills during the presentation, for which your own, unaccompanied projects are better suited.

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Can I only do the presentation after I have completed all project hours in PM 38?

Due to the requirement that the presentation is to be done in the context of university events, you can also present projects without having yet completed all project hours, if the opportunity is suitable. However, the presented projects must be completed and you should already be in the advanced course of PM 38 in order to have trained the reflective competencies to be demonstrated.

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How do I register for the project presentation?

Every semester, a "Project Presentation" course will be available in the LSF. Students who want to complete the project module in the corresponding semester or who would like to do the presentation in the advanced course of the module, please enrol in this course. The programme directors will contact you at the beginning of the semester to arrange dates. In addition, you can contact the student advisor at any time.

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Studying Abroad

Where do I find information about studying abroad?

A semester abroad is part of the normal eight-semester course of study in the Bachelor of Cultural Engineering. It is recommended to go abroad in the 5th semester. However, the stay abroad can also take place at an earlier or later point in time, at which the basic knowledge of cultural sciences and methods has been acquired and, after the introductions to the specialisation areas in economics and engineering, an individual goal for profiling has been set, which can then be further developed abroad.

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Where do I find information about studying abroad?

You can find initial information concerning studying abroad on this website and on the website of the OVGU’s International Office. Among other services, the International Office offers a mandatory initial advice session for studying abroad. Further questions, especially concerning the recognition of credits gained at the international host university, are answered by the student advisor. Moreover, there are several informational events over the course of the semester. They will be announced via this website’s news section and the programme’s Moodle course (replacing a mailing list).

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Where do I find the OVGU’s partner universities?

MoveON, the International Office’s data bank, offers a comprehensive overview of prospective partner universities. There you can find offers under the scope of both the European Union’s ERASMUS programme and the WORLDWIDE programme, which covers international partner universities outside of the EU. Partnerships of the Faculty of Economics (FWW) are open on a secondary basis to all CE students specialising in economics. Since this cooperation is intended for the field of economics, students from the FWW are given priority. The partnerships of the Peace and Conflict Studies and Social Sciences programmes (both FHW) are also open to CE students on a secondary basis. Unfortunately, for technical reasons, these partnerships cannot be displayed in the exchange database when searching via the degree programme. Students should enter FHW + degree programme and/or FWW in the search field "Faculty" in the exchange database and click on a university.

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How do I proceed with my application?

Before you start planning, please inform yourselves about application requirements, especially required language skills, on the website of the International Office. Language requirements for ERASMUS partner universities can be found here, for language requirements of universities under the scope of the WORLDWIDE programme please consult with the International Office, since the universities differ in their demands on applicants. We highly recommend employing the services of the International Office and the student advisor when starting to plan the semester abroad. Afterwards, your application has to be submitted via the online platform for outgoing students. Applications within the scope of the WORLDWIDE programme are followed up with a second application phase at the host university directly. Your respective partner university will contact you and demand further documentation, such as passport copies, transcripts of records, and possibly vaccination certificates.

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When are the application deadlines?

Your application has to be submitted via the online platform for outgoing students before the respective deadlines. The deadline for ERASMUS application is 1 February of each year. WORLDWIDE applications have to be submitted until 1 December for the following year. You can also find the deadline dates on the International Office’s website. Applicants for the WORLDWIDE programme will be notified until the end of January about the allocation of places. Then, a second application phase follows immediately and you will be contacted by your respective host university with a request for further documentation (e.g. passport copies, transcripts of records, vaccination certificates) until the end of March. Please consult with the International Office and the student advisor if any problems or questions arise.

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Timeline Going abroad

Which languages skills are required for studying abroad?

Students seeking a longer stay in Anglo-American countries will find themselves confronted with an onslaught of acronyms with regard to language competencies, such as CEF(R), TOEFL, IELTS, CPE and many more. Many universities demand language certification from students from non-English-speaking countries. In order to better compare language competencies, the European Council has initiated the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF or CEFR, sometimes CEFRL) in 2001. The CEF is divided into three levels of competence which, in turn, are subdivided into two stages. With the help of the CEF, foreign language competencies can be expressed and compared from beginner level (A1) to near-native proficiency (C2). You can find language requirements for universities under the scope of the ERASMUS programme here, for WORLDWIDE partner universitites please consult with the International Office, as the requirements may vary from university to university.

This entails that you will have to certify your foreign language competencies already when applying for studying abroad. The OVGU's International Office almost always requires certification of English language knowledge at at least B2 level. Further language competencies will need certification when the university for which you are applying teaches in a language other than English. You can find a detailed overview of the International Office's language requirements here.

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Where can I take the necessary language tests?

In order to certify foreign language competencies, there are a number of tests which match the testee with the language levels specified by the CEF. Among the most widely known English language tests are the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Universities in English-speaking countries usually demand certification from one of these two tests from international students. More information can be found on the respective websites (TOEFL, IELTS). The TOEFL test is oriented towards US-American English and thus often preferred by universities in the United States, whereas the IELTS is favoured in Great Britain, New Zealand, and Australia as it tests British and American English competencies. Please inform yourselves in time about the requirements of your desired university. Both tests can be taken in Germany, require online application, and are charged with a fee (IELTS: approx. 230 €; TOEFL: approx. 240 US-$). Further information concerning the testing process, fees, application, and dates can be found here for the TOEFL test and here for the IELTS test. In preparation for the IELTS, the British Council offers online tests and an e-learning course free of charge. Both test certificates remain valid for two years.

The OVGU's language centre offers foreign language certification tests for a cost of 15 €. These tests can be used to certify foreign language knowledge when applyfing for host universities which do not require specific test certificates. In other words, the language centre's certificates do not replace TOEFL, IELTS or other specific language tests if the host university requests them. However, the certification issued by the language centre may be used, for instance, when the university entrance certificate lacks language level certification.

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Who can I contact for a letter of recommendation??

Occasionally, host universities also request a letter of recommendation from your previous university lecturers for the application documents. In principle, you can approach any lecturer for such a reference. However, you should bear a few principles in mind. Firstly, letters of recommendation require a certain lead time, so you should contact the relevant lecturers in good time, i.e. at least a few weeks in advance. Secondly, recommendations are made on the basis of your previous academic career, which is why you should enclose a current transcript of records with your enquiry. Thirdly, letters of reference refer to your motivation for wanting to study abroad at this particular university as well as any other points of reference on your CV. Accordingly, you should also provide this information. Fourthly, letters of recommendation always include a brief reference to how the respective lecturer knows you in order to express the adequacy of the following reference. When selecting lecturers to ask for such a letter, you should therefore always consider who knows you personally and can therefore judge you in the first place.

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Can I do more than 30 CP abroad?

For studying abroad, the curriculum plans 30 CP to be recognised in the profiling area, specifically in PM 36. However, if you do more than 30 CP during your studies abroad, you are able to have additional credits recognised as optional studies or in one of the other modules, provided that the courses you took fit thematically into these modules. This has to be specified in the recognition form. In any case, you should consult with the student advisor to discuss recognition possibilities for your courses.

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Can I take any course at the host university?

Generally speaking, you are free to choose courses from the offer at the host university. However, you cannot take courses abroad that cover the same topic as courses you have already taken at the OVGU. It is therefore advisable to confer with your student advisor with regard to your course choices during the semester abroad. For this purpose, it is best to attach course descriptions to your Learning Agreement in advance. If you go to a host university that has a partnership agreement with individual faculties of the OVGU (e.g. via a place at the FWW to a university with an economics profile), you can only take those subjects abroad for which a contract has been concluded. For example, you cannot go to a host university via a place at the FWW with a contract for economic subjects and then study a non-economic subject there.

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What do I do if I have to or want to take other courses than those stated on my learning agreement?

It is normal for your course selection to change during the first weeks of your stay at the host university. Please use the separate forms provided in the International Office's form pool for these changes. It is not necessary to completely fill out a new learning agreement. Please note that the change form must be submitted no later than six weeks after the start of the semester at the host university.

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Which documents do I have to submit for credit recognition?

For the recognition of your achievements abroad, please submit the Transcript of Records, your Learning Agreement (incl. change form, if necessary) as well as the form for  recognition incl. the report on your stay abroad to the student advisor. If you would like your report to be published as a profiling example on the CE website, please also send the report with photos of your stay to the website administrator.

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Why do I have to write a report for credit recognition?

The report is primarily for your own reflection on your personal experience abroad, but it can also give other students valuable advice on studying abroad at the relevant host university. Nevertheless, please avoid addressing your fellow students directly, as the report on the experience abroad, unlike the travel report for the International Office, is part of the module recognition and should also correspond to this purpose in terms of style.

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How do the grades from the semester abroad show on my Bachelor transcript?

The recognition in PM36 (30 CP) is ungraded, the individual grades are therefore not listed on your Bachelor transcript. Accordingly, it is recommended that you always enclose the Transcript of Records from the host university in case you apply for a Master programme.

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Bachelor Thesis/End of Studies

How many credit points do I need to register my thesis?

You need 200 credit points to register your thesis. Please submit the respective form to the exmaination office.

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Is it possible to prepone the Bachelor thesis?

Yes, preponing the bachelor thesis is possible. You can register the thesis as soon as you have acquired 200 credit points. If you cannot register the thesis because you do not have acquired 200 CP yet, you can still start with finding your topic, talking to possible supervisors, and outlining your thesis. You can also participate in a colloquium, if s suitable course is offered.

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Do I have to write my thesis at the Faculty of Humanities?

No, you do not have to write your thesis at the Faculty of Humanities. You are free to choose any faculty and any supervisor, provided that the supervisor is lecturer in Cultural Engineering. External lecturers can serve as second correctors only, your supervisor has to be university staff. When writing at another faculty, please note note that other faculties aim their requirements at their core subject students. It is therefore advisable to choose your supervisor according to your individual profile and your specialisation area, as the thesis is credited with 15 CP.

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How can I have my thesis supervised by lecturers at other faculties?

You can approach lecturers from all faculties that teach in the Cultural Engineering programme to supervise your thesis. Please note that the requirements of other faculties are based on their core subject students. In addition, lecturers have the right to refuse to supervise your work on an individual basis, for example because they are busy supervising other work. However, there is no general "ban" on CE students being supervised by lecturers from other faculties; the study and examination regulations for Cultural Engineering allow the Bachelor's thesis to be supervised by lecturers in the degree programme regardless of their faculty affiliation. In general, it is advisable to establish personal contact with a desired supervisor in advance, e.g. by attending courses. In addition, find out about the registration procedures at other faculties, e.g. via a list of possible thematic issues.

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Is participation in the colloquium compulsory?

Yes, participation in the colloquium is compulsory. In the colloquium, you will learn how to structure your thesis sensibly and how to develop your line of arguments. In general, students will present their research process and receive feedback from their peers and the instructor. Such feedback is an essential part of the academic work progress. If you are writing your thesis at a different faculty other than the Faculty of Humanities, you can either enroll in a colloquium at that faculty or present your thesis in the Cultural Engineering colloquium with your supervisor present.

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How do I prove participation in the colloquium?

Participation in the colloquium must be proven with the submission of the Bachelor's thesis. For this purpose, the examination office's form for the confirmation of module completion can be used.

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How much time do I have to plan for the Bachelor thesis?

The study and examination regulations stipulate a writing time of 10 weeks starting with the registration of the Bachelor thesis. This time can be extended if there are valid reasons, e.g. in case of illness, and if you submit the relevant evidence. After submission, a further 6 weeks of correction time must be planned, so that you should allow at least 16 weeks (i.e. 4 months) for your thesis from the time of registration to the awarding of the grade. Please note that the correction time is a target rule which may be exceeded, e.g. if your supervisors have to deal with a very high correction workload. In any case, foresighted, prudent planning as well as good time management is essential for the Bachelor thesis.

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What is the graduation date?

The date of graduation is the date on your examination certificate. This is determined by the date of submission of your last examination, usually the Bachelor's thesis. The date of exmatriculation, however, can be set at your own discretion in the period between the date of the certificate and the end of the current semester.

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When and how will I be exmatriculated?

You must submit an application for exmatriculation to end your studies, even if you have duly completed your studies with all examinations. You can find the application form on the website of the Examinations Office. If you do not re-register for the following semester after submitting your last exam, you will automatically be exmatriculated ex officio. However, this exmatriculation ex officio can lead to difficulties with the pension fund, so we advise you to submit a proper exmatriculation application to the Examinations Office in any case.

Application for Exmatriculation

You can only apply for regular exmatculation at the end of your degree programme in the semester in which you submitted your last exam, i.e. usually your Bachelor's thesis. On the application form for exmatriculation, you must note the date of your examination certificate (1) and your desired exmatriculation date (2). The certificate date is always the date on which you submitted your last exam. If this is the Bachelor's thesis, the submission date of your Bachelor's thesis is also the certificate date. If you submit your Bachelor's thesis before you have submitted all of other exams (e.g. your project portfolio or an overdue term paper), the date of the certificate is determined by the submission of this last exam. It is therefore imperative that you inform the Examinations Office informally about the submission of these exams, as you usually submit them to the lecturers of the respective courses without the knowledge of the Examinations Office, which would then et your certificate date incorrectly.

You can set the exmatriculation date at your own discretion in the period between the certificate date and the end of the current semester. This ensures that even if you hand in your Bachelor's thesis in mid-July, for example, you will retain your student status until 30 September (i.e. the end of the semester). However, the exmatriculation date cannot be dated in a subsequent semester and, of course, not before the submission of the last exam. You can also be exmatriculated on the date of your certificate, i.e. immediately. This exmatriculation is then subject to reservation, as the last exam submitted still has to be assessed. In the case of a pass, you will then be exmatriculated properly and receive the corresponding confirmation.

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Will I also be exmatriculated if I want to study a Master's programme at OVGU?

If you want to study on a Master's degree programme at th OVGU after completing your Bachelor's degree, you do not need to de-register. All you have to do is apply for your desired Master's degree programme via the myOVGU portal for the relevant semester and re-register for that semester.

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Where do I ge a Transcript of Records?

An official Transcript of Records is issued primarily by the Campus Service Centre (CSC). Please use this link to request the certificate, which will then be sent to you by post. For identification purposes, you will need a scan of your student ID or an identification document (ID card, passport). Manual entries for the degree confirmation are possible via the "Remarks" field. Further questions are answered in the CSC's FAQ.

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Cultural Engineering and Master Programmes

Is there a Master programme?

After successful graduation the eight-semester Bachelor programme offers the opportunity to transition into domestic and international Master programmes in such fields (e.g. economics, logistics, computer sciences, cultural studies) in which students have acquired the required amount of CP. There is no consecutive Cultural Engineering Master programme.

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Which Master programmes are offered by the OVGU?

After having completed the Bachelor programme Cultural Engineering, the OVGU offeres the following suitable Master programmes:

Please inform yourself about programme-specific entry requirements already during your Bachelor studies. Some programmes request a certain number of credits in one or several study fields, which should be taken into account when choosing Bachelor modules.

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Which Master programmes are offered by other German universities?

In general, Cultural Engineering ties in with a number of Master programmes depending on your specific profile and interest. Please inform yourself about programme-specific entry requirements already during your Bachelor studies. Some programmes request a certain number of credits in one or several study fields, which should be taken into account when choosing Bachelor modules. The following list provides some Master programmes which are especially compatible with Cultural Engineering's interdisciplinary character and the theoretical foundation in cultural studies:

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Which Master programmes are offered by international universities?

In general, Cultural Engineering ties in with a number of Master programmes depending on your specific profile and interest. Please inform yourself about programme-specific entry requirements already during your Bachelor studies. Some programmes request a certain number of credits in one or several study fields, which should be taken into account when choosing Bachelor modules. The following list provides some Master programmes which are especially compatible with Cultural Engineering's interdisciplinary character and the theoretical foundation in cultural studies:

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To which subject area of the statistical federal key is Cultural Engineering assigned?

When applying for Master's degree programmes, you may be asked to which subject area your first degree programme belongs. In order to create uniformity here, study programmes in Germany are systematised nationwide according to a key. The study programme Cultural Engineering is assigned to the subject Interdisciplinary Studies (focus on Humanities) and this belongs to the study area of Humanities in general. The study programme therefore has the key 004.

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Can I shorten my Master's degree by completing the eight-semester BA programme?

Through the eight-semester BA programme you have acquired 240 CP. This allows you to enrol in a one-year Master's programme. However, you can also enrol in two-year Master's programmes. In this case, modules from the Bachelor's degree can be recognised and the study time can be reduced. If you do not want to receive recognition but want to complete a two-year Master's programme in full, that is no problem either. You can study as much as you like.

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Last Modification: 29.01.2024 - Contact Person: Carsten Kullmann