From A for Agricultural Sciences to Z for Dentistry – the range of courses is huge. There are more than 900 subjects in Germany alone. In many of these subjects it makes sense to spend part of the study time abroad. Students can deepen their specialist knowledge , get a new perspective on their subject, or simply gain experience abroad .
Studying completely abroad also has advantages. For example, because subjects are offered there that do not exist in this form in Germany. Or because it is easier to get a place in another country in the desired subject or because it may have a longer tradition there than in Germany.
Two advantages of studying abroad are particularly noteworthy, as they also represent important additional qualifications for later professional life:
- Students who complete part or all of their studies abroad always expand their foreign language skills .
- You will also acquire intercultural skills , which in today’s world are also becoming increasingly important for your career.
Plato, Shakespeare, Kennedy – Linguistics and Cultural Studies
The subjects can be roughly assigned to larger fields of study. The classic fields of study include linguistics and cultural studies . They were formerly referred to as the humanities and have been taught at German universities since the Middle Ages. Classical cultural studies subjects in which students approach human culture from different perspectives are for example:
- philosophy
- Art history
- history
- archeology
- ethnology
These subjects often cover a broad scientific spectrum . It is therefore very important to orientate yourself professionally and gain additional qualifications during your studies.
Also, regional science subjects that are specific to the history, culture, economy and language regions, such as Asia , Africa or Latin America deal, a long tradition at the universities have. Studying abroad in the region that is the subject of the subject is usually part of the curriculum .
A study visit abroad is also often compulsory in subjects from the field of modern philology , such as Romance studies or English studies .
The focus is on people – social sciences
Another major subject is the social sciences . Her topic is the human being as an individual and in contact with other people or in social associations. Classic subjects are social sciences and political science . But psychology , social work and theology can also be included.
Most of the subjects in this area are broad in content. It is therefore important to orientate yourself professionally during your studies and to acquire additional qualifications through internships and stays abroad .
For researchers – natural sciences
The natural sciences are among the fields of study with a particularly long tradition . They try to find general laws of nature to explain how we and our environment function . Classic subjects are for example:
- biology
- physics
- astronomy
- chemistry
From these, further subjects such as biochemistry or neuroscience have developed over time.
Many universities also count the so-called structural sciences, mathematics and computer science , among the natural sciences. The reason for this is that they form the basis of just about any science course.
Studying abroad in a natural science subject serves, among other things, to expand specialist knowledge or for research purposes . Foreign universities often have different focuses in their research. In addition to semesters abroad , research-based master’s or doctoral programs are particularly popular with international students. International experience also benefits graduates of this subject, as they often work in international teams in their later professional lives .
For our well-being – medicine and health
The courses in medicine are closely linked to the natural sciences . Students often complete these entirely abroad . This is because the NC is now so high in Germany. Therefore, even with good to very good high school grades, interested parties often have to accept waiting times of several years.
In these cases, studying abroad can be a sensible alternative . There is an agreement in the EU on medical training. That is why a medical degree that was completed in one EU member state is automatically recognized in the other EU countries . Universities in countries such as Latvia , the Czech Republic and Slovakia now offer medical courses in English . There it is not just the Abitur grade that decides on admission to the course. Instead, applicants are selected, for example, through scientific entrance exams.
Other courses in the large area of health are still relatively new at German universities . These include subjects such as health economics , but also formerly traditional training professions such as obstetrics or physiotherapy . In many other countries it has been possible to study these as part of a university degree for a long time. Anyone studying one of the health courses abroad has the opportunity to benefit from the academic experience of other countries in these fields.
Very popular – economy
One of the most popular fields of study is economics . This includes classic courses such as business administration or economics, but also specialized subjects such as event management . Employers almost naturally expect graduates of these subjects to have knowledge of one or more foreign languages and experience abroad . The popular MBA degree from a respected university abroad can also be the starting signal for a steep career in management .
Working with Paragraphs – Law and Administration
Studying law and administration abroad is less common . This includes subjects such as law or administrative science , which prepare you for a career in the German legal or administrative system. Studying abroad can also be useful in this area. For example, an LL.M (Master of Laws) acquired abroad increases the career opportunities of legal scholars who want to work in the private sector. Even for graduates from the field of administration who want to work at EU level, studying abroad can significantly increase the chances of getting a job.
Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and more – engineering sciences
There is a wide range of engineering courses on offer . These include, for example:
- mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Physical engineering
- Civil engineering
The course is usually very practical . The career prospects for graduates are also generally bright. For students who would later like to work abroad, for example in large international corporations or in development aid, a stay abroad during their studies makes sense. In Germany, too, project teams are increasingly composed of international teams . That is why international experience pays off, especially for prospective managers and project managers .
Man and nature – environmental sciences and agricultural and forest sciences
According to microedu, a popular engineering subject is environmental engineering . These are among the more and more popular degree programs in the field of environmental sciences . These are courses of study that illuminate the topics of the environment and environmental protection from different perspectives .
Environmental engineers, for example, deal with the production of regenerative energies. But there are also subjects in which the economic aspect is in the foreground. This includes the subject of environmental management . Here future managers learn, among other things, how to produce goods as sustainably as possible. Since many environmental problems can only be solved within the framework of international cooperation , it makes sense to prepare for future professional requirements while studying abroad.
In the agricultural and forest sciences course , too, students deal with the environment. The focus in these subjects is on the question of how to manage the nature that surrounds us . However, issues such as sustainability and environmental protection are playing an increasingly important role. Gaining experience abroad also makes sense in these subjects. For example, for students who are thinking about working for an international NGO or in development aid.
Become an educator or teacher – education and teaching
The courses in pedagogy and teaching at German universities are strongly tailored to the German educational system. In some cases, such as a teaching degree in English, study visits abroad are often a prerequisite . The aim is to consolidate language skills. But prospective teachers of other subjects should not miss the opportunity to go abroad during their studies. Ultimately, this also serves personal development and trains skills that are also important in later day-to-day work. These are:
- independence
- Organizational skills
- the ability to assert oneself
For creative people – music and art and design
In artistic subjects, too, it is important to develop your own personality. However, it is more about developing your own creativity and acquiring artistic techniques. The first major artistic field of study is the music department . In courses of study such as singing , jazz music or pop music , a stay abroad during your studies is particularly worthwhile for the following reasons :
- get to know other musical styles
- Collect inspiration
- Make contacts in the international music business.
Budding music teachers and musicologists can also benefit from a stay abroad.
The second major artistic field of study is art and design . The field of art includes:
- Performing arts such as drama
- Visual arts
In these subjects, too, the main focus is on developing an artistic personality .
The degree programs in the field of design , however, are more related to practice . In subjects such as product design , communication design or fashion design , in addition to developing a creative “handwriting”, the main focus is on acquiring practical and professional skills.
Studying abroad is worthwhile in both departments. On the one hand, a stay abroad provides inspiration for their own work and students can learn new artistic and manual skills at the foreign university. On the other hand, the students have the opportunity to get to know the international art and design scene and to build up a network of contacts .
