Program Overview

Geography Program at the University of Jena

The Geography program at the University of Jena is a comprehensive course of study that combines natural science and social science content and methods with innovative didactic teaching.

Key Facts

• Degree: First State Exam High School
• Admission restriction: Without admission restriction (without NC)
• Duration: 10 Semesters
• Credits/ECTS: 300
• Teaching language: German
• Tuition fee: None
• Semester contribution: 305.05
• Start of studies: Winter semester
• Part-time possible: Yes
• Institutions: Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science, Institute of Geography

Programme Content

Geography as a subject deals with natural science as well as social science and Economics and Business Administration, focusing on Business Analytics. Physical Geography, oriented towards the natural sciences, examines the structure and dynamics of our physical environment. Human Geography, oriented towards the social sciences, deals with the relationship between humans and the environment, including the structure and dynamics of societies, economies, and the spatial nature of human activity. The program covers current geographical issues such as globalization, urban development, economic development, ecological topics, and worldwide connections between the environment, culture, resource management, sustainability, global environmental changes, and environmental conflicts.

Structure

The teacher training program at the University of Jena is completed with the First State Examination. The standard period of study is ten semesters, during which various types of courses (e.g., seminars, lectures, or tutorials) are offered for the individual modules. The program is based on the Jena model, characterized by a five-month school placement semester in the fifth or sixth semester. As a future teacher, students study two subjects on an equal footing at the University of Jena and round off their pedagogical profile with an accompanying Educational Science program. A total of 300 credit points (ECTS) must be earned.

Why Study in Jena?

• A specialty and strength of Geography in Jena lies in the combination of natural and social science content and methods with innovative didactic teaching.
• Since its foundation in 1992, the Institute of Geography at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena has established itself as one of the most important German-speaking institutes in Europe.

Career Opportunities

• General Education: The typical route into school practice is via the preparatory service (traineeship). In this phase, students further develop their practical teaching skills based on their degree.
• Adult Education: Outside of the school system, there are opportunities to work as a teacher in adult education.

Admission Requirements

• University entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study program.
• Initial internship: The teacher training course includes an introductory internship lasting 240 hours. Students should reflect on their educational experience in dealing with children and young people to review their career aspirations and make a conscious decision.

What Are We Looking for in Prospective Students?

Prospective students should have a special interest in modern geographical issues and have acquired basic geographical knowledge as part of their school education. They should be prepared to carry out both natural and social science work and have good language and argumentation skills, analytical thinking, and a willingness to deal with complex systems and a high reading workload, including in English.