International Skills Certificate
Starting in the 2025 summer semester, University of Bamberg students will have the opportunity to strengthen their international skills within the framework of our certificate programme. In the initial phase, the certificate can only be obtained by
- exchange students in bachelor’s, master’s and teacher training degree programmes offered in the Humanities and Human Sciences and Education faculties,
- students in bachelor’s, master’s and teacher training degree programmes offered in the Humanities and Human Sciences and Education faculties of the University of Bamberg.
At a glance
Start
Summer and winter semesters
Credit required
Min. 25 ECTS points
Examination regulations
Programme and examination regulations (in German)
Module handbook
Module handbook key competencies (in German)
Learning objectives
The learning objectives comprise competencies on multiple levels. Students will acquire intellectual-analytical skills including systematic, prescient, visionary and critical thinking, as well as critical analysis. The integrative skills cover interdisciplinary work, tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty, empathy and changes of perspective, transcultural relationships and cooperation, as well as transdisciplinary work. Learnable normative competencies include equitability, responsibility and ethics, as well as assessment and evaluation of transcultural practices or their characterisation. Initiative competencies pertain to communication and media use, personal commitment and strategic action. This means students are able to
- perceive and respect different cultural perspectives and to develop principles for action on this basis,
- demonstrate critical knowledge of their own cultural environment and history,
- elucidate reflective knowledge of other cultures or cultural environments and their historical interrelations with their own cultural environment,
- adopt a differentiated view of economic, ecological, political and legal circumstances and impacts in a globalised world.
Certificate structure
Required modules:
- Cultural Training (2 ECTS points)
- International Cultural Engagement (4 ECTS points)
Additional modules:
- Competencies in International Topics (3 ECTS points)
OR
A practical language module related to regional and cultural studies in accordance with the University of Bamberg’s examination regulations for practical language modules (in German) – eligible modules are included in the Centre for Key Competencies’ module handbook (in German) - Additional practical language modules of your choice comprising a minimum of 6 ECTS points in accordance with the University of Bamberg’s examination regulations for practical language modules (in German)
Students must also provide evidence of specialist competencies comprising a minimum of 10 ECTS points completed in a foreign language. This can include course and examination credit obtained abroad (or at the University of Bamberg). We also recognise research visits at foreign universities as well as competencies acquired during summer or winter schools.
With the exception of cultural training, all modules may also be completed during studies abroad at one of our partner universities. Please plan ahead accordingly. For exchange students, it is possible to complete all modules at the University of Bamberg in two semesters.
Module abstracts
The cultural training module will prepare you for your studies abroad (or at the University of Bamberg) and for transcultural challenges in your everyday student or professional life. All interested students are welcome to participate in the Language Centre’s cultural training courses, which are available each summer semester (see UnivIS). Exchange students are allowed to participate in German as a Foreign Language Sprachpraxis B1 (or C1): Sprach- und Kulturvermittlung: Stereotype und Mentalität – ein Kurs über die Deutschen, which are offered each semester.
Within the framework of this module, we also recognise active participation in one of our international theatre groups (listed in the Language Centre’s module handbook).
The cultural engagement module will enable you to train your practical skills in international contexts. The following elements can be applied here:
- non-school internship abroad (6 weeks minimum) or
- internship at a school abroad (4 weeks minimum) and/or
- Participation in the University of Bamberg’s tandem programme and/or
- Volunteer work in an international university group or in one of Bamberg’s international associations (listed in our VC course named Koordination für Internationales)
In courses not included in your subject’s course offering, you will acquire competencies in international topics that are of interest to you or that may serve to prepare you for your studies abroad. We also recognise courses completed abroad (e.g. following participation in studies or summer or winter schools abroad) or from your home university if you are an exchange student. A list of certificate-eligible courses at Bamberg University is available here.
In order to improve your foreign language skills or even learn a new language, you are free to select any course open to all students offered by the Language Centre. We also recognise courses completed during studies abroad, during summer or winter schools or from your home university if you are an exchange student.
Click here for information on studies abroad (for full-time students of Bamberg University, in German)
In this module, you will demonstrate specialist competencies in a foreign language, namely in subject-specific courses (courses that match your studies or that you are simply interested in) held in a foreign language. You can acquire these competencies by attending
- academic courses at the University of Bamberg, including lecture series (hybrid or virtual) in a foreign language (available via our VC course named Koordination für Internationales)
- summer or winter schools at universities around the globe, a list of which is available via the VC course named Koordination für Internationales
- academic courses held in a foreign language during your studies abroad or at your home university if you are an exchange student
- furthermore, for exchange students, nearly all courses offered at the University of Bamberg are held in a foreign language.
Further information on courses, volunteer partners and stays abroad can be found in the VC course named Koordination für Internationales.
A checklist is available here(341.2 KB).
Please carefully review the entire module handbook and the examination regulations (both in German).
In case of questions, please contact the International Coordinator (studium-international.guk(at)uni-bamberg.de).