International Students

Some 4,000 foreign students from more than 140 different countries are currently enrolled at the University of Bonn. The International Office provides a detailed range of information and support services for international students.

International degree programs and courses

The bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Geography feature courses taught in both German and English. The international joint master’s degree program in Geography of "Environmental Risks and Human Security" is offered in conjunction with the United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and is taught completely in English.

Additional services for international students:

Seminar entitled “Germany: an introduction to geography, history and politics” in the winter semester
Interdisciplinary module entitled "Germany in a global context" featuring courses from various departments

Courses taught in English as part of Geography degree programs

English-language courses on the Bachelor of Science program

Winter and summer semesters:

B2: Advanced Physical Geography (6 ECTS)
B8: Advanced Methods (various courses) (6 ECTS)
B11: Physical Geography project seminar (various courses) (12 ECTS)
B15: Consolidation module (various courses) (6 ECTS)

English-language courses on the Master of Science program

Winter semester:

M2: Research Methods (various courses) (6 ECTS)
M6: Consolidation seminar (various courses) (12 ECTS)
JM1: Theories and Concepts of Risks (6 ECTS)
JM2: New Approaches to Development Geography (6 ECTS)
JM2: Earth System Science (6 ECTS)
JM3: Research Methods (various courses) (6 ECTS)
JM4: Academic Writing Skills (4 ECTS, non-graded)
JM8: Risk Management in the Context of Climate Change (6 ECTS)
JM9: Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response (6 ECTS)

Summer semester:

M2: Research Methods (various courses) (6 ECTS)
M7: Research Topics (various courses) (6 ECTS)
JM5: Advanced Debates on Risk and Human Security (Human Dimension) (6 ECTS)
JM5: Advanced Debates on Risk and Human Security (Environmental Dimension) (6 ECTS)
JM6: Research project (different topics, 18 ECTS)
JM7: Academic Presenstation and Communication Skills (2 ECTS, non-graded)

Complete course lists from previous semesters

B.Sc. Geography wintersemester 2021/22 (483 KB)

M.Sc. Geography wintersemester 2021/22 (469 KB)

B.Sc. Geography summersemester 2021 (492 KB)

M.Sc. Geography summersemester 2021 (450 KB)

All other courses from the Geography degree programs and more information on the courses can be found in BASIS, the electronic course catalog.

How to use Basis to select courses... (1.44 MB)

Support services in the Department of Geography

The Department of Geography set up its own buddy scheme in the 2017/18 academic year to help international students integrate more successfully and put them in touch with their German peers. Every incoming Erasmus student is automatically assigned a geography buddy.

Activities on the Geography Buddy program:

Welcome lunch for international students, their buddies and the International Coordinator (during the Erasmus Welcome Week)
Joint activities and excursions for international and German students (e.g. international barbecue evening, international Christmas party, trips to local sights)
One-to-one help and support, e.g. in the event of administrative questions, preparing for written examinations or term papers

If you are interested, you can register by emailing erasmus@geographie.uni-bonn.de.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.

First-hand reports by incoming Erasmus students in the Department of Geography

Incomings am GIUB

Study opportunities for refugees

Starty study gives advice to refugee students who would like to study at the University of Bonn. A consultation hour for refugee students is offered by the AstA.

More information