Academics

University Information

Philipps University

Founded in 1527, Philipps University is the world's first Protestant university still in existence. The oldest portion of the campus, the Alte Universität, is built on the site of a 13th century Dominican cloister.

Over its nearly 500-year history, the university has educated and employed a large number of distinguished scholars and thinkers, including no less than nine winners of the Nobel prize.

Today, nearly 20,000 students study in the university's modern facilities. Philipps is a large university with a wide range of academic disciplines, including business, law, psychology, media, mathematics, chemistry, biology, geology, geography, education, medicine, pharmacology, and physical education.
Philipps University has hosted BCA participants since 1962, when 25 American students boarded a ship bound for Germany.

Course Information by Language Preparation

These language levels allow you to choose different programs at BCA Marburg:

4 Semesters of German: Any combination of university and BCA courses.
2 Semesters of German: You must complete the 4-week pre-semester language course and then you may enroll in any combination of BCA and university course.

Types of Courses

During orientation at BCA Marburg, all students participate in a four-week intensive language course and a five day study tour. BCA students can also take courses in peace and justice, reflecting BCA's focus on this increasingly important topic.

The courses available to BCA Marburg students fall into five general categories:

BCA Courses - For U.S. students only taught in German by instructors hired by BCA. These courses require a minimum enrollment number.

GER 301 Deutsche Sprache: schriftlich, grammatisch, und mündlich
LIT 332 Deutsche Kurzprosa des 20. Jahrhunderts
LIT 335 Deutsche Romane und Novellen
GER 312 Deutsche Sprache und Grammatik I
GER 315 Deutsche Sprache und Grammatik II
GER 310 Übersetzen aus dem Deutschen ins Englische I

German as a Foreign Language Courses
Regular University Courses
Peace and Conflict Studies in English
Volkshochschule

Sample Schedule

A typical student’s first-semester schedule might consist of the following:

Two 3-credit BCA courses
Four credits in university classes for foreign students or German as a foreign language at the Sprachenzentrum (required)
One or two seminars in your field of study
Possible audits. You should challenge yourself to take as many full university courses as possible. If you decide at mid-term that the course will be too difficult, you can switch from for-credit to audit status.

Libraries and Computer Labs

During orientation you will take a tour of the university library - the UB - which has a variety of books and other reading material in addition to computers for student use. In addition to the UB, the academic departments have mini-libraries and study rooms.

International Student Conference

During the spring semester, BCA students in Marburg may have the opportunity to attend BCA's U.S.- European Student Conference on European - U.S. Relations in Strasbourg, France. BCA students from all over Europe come together with other American and European students for several days. Meet journalists, professors and activists from Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Hungary and Sweden and join discussions about the changing role of the American Dream in a global society.

E-mail us with your questions

inquiry@bcaabroad.org

Study Abroad FAQ’s

Questions? Please call:

1-866-222-6188