Studying journalism in Germany will give you in-depth knowledge of everything you need to know about journalism. You will gain knowledge in areas such as reporting, writing, interviewing researching and investigating. Additionally, you will obtain a certificate that is globally recognised which can allow you to work in any part of the world. Studying journalism in Germany will put you in a developed and thriving industry in Germany. Secondly, you will have the opportunity to work in the media and communications industry in Germany.
Studying journalism in Germany can make a big career shift in your journey. However, you must be qualified to be able to gain admission to study journalism. Additionally, you should be able to understand German as it is the major language of instruction used.
In this piece, I will walk you through the basic admission requirements and qualifications that are needed for studying journalism in Germany.
Requirements for Studying Journalism in Germany
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Academic Qualifications
You need to have a high school leaving certificate equivalent to a German one. Additionally, you need to make sure that your certificate is eligible and equivalent to the German certificate. However, if your certificate is not eligible, you need to attend the Studienkolleg (one-year preparatory course) and sit for the Feststellungsprüfung Exam.
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Submit Academic Transcripts
You need to submit your academic transcripts during your application. Generally, your transcripts should contain all the courses you studied as well as the grades.
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German Language Proficiency
The major language of instruction for most universities in Germany is German. Therefore, you need to be familiar with the German language to be able to learn in those schools. You need to write tests such as TestDaf, DSF and other equivalent tests.
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English Language Proficiency
If you are applying to universities that use English as their language of instruction, you need to submit a certificate of English Language. Therefore, you need to show proof of your English proficiency. You can submit tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
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Motivation letter
Most universities will require you to write and submit a motivation letter while making your application. This is an essay that contains areas such as your passion for journalism, your career plans and your skills and experiences. Additionally, you may be asked to include your reason for choosing to study journalism in Germany.
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Have a Bachelor’s Degree
If you are looking forward to obtaining a master’s degree in journalism in Germany, you should have a bachelor’s degree. Your degree should be from a recognised university and in a field related to journalism. Additionally, you should have a minimum of second-class upper or credits in your GPA.
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Resume/CV
You need to submit an updated resume or curriculum vitae showcasing your work experience. Additionally, you can add your professional certifications if you have any.
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Student Visa
International students require a German Student Visa to study journalism in Germany. Therefore, you need to apply for your visa three months in advance to have a smoother process.
How to Apply
You can apply to study journalism in Germany by applying to the university of your choice. However, non-EU/EEA applicants should apply through Uni-Assist for verification before applying to the university of their choice. Additionally, EU students can submit their application through the Foundation for University Admission.
Duration
The duration of studying journalism in Germany depends on the degree you are applying. The bachelor’s degree takes three years of full-time study to complete. Additionally, A master’s degree in journalism in Germany takes two years of full-time study.
Tuition Fee
The cost of studying journalism in Germany is relatively low. Most public universities in Germany have zero tuition fees, except in Baden-Württemberg where students pay approximately €3,000 per year. However, students are expected to pay a semester fee of €250 per semester. Additionally, private universities pay about €20,000 per year.
Universities in Germany that Offer Journalism
- University of Munich, Bavaria
- Technical University of Munich, Bavaria
- University of Munster, North Rhine-Westphalia
- Free University of Berlin, Brandenburg
- RWTH Aachen University, North Rhine-Westphalia
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg State
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate
- University of Duisburg – Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia
- University of Regensburg, Bavaria
- Dresden University of Technology, Saxony
- University of Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
- University of Erlangen Nuremberg, Bavaria
- Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia
- University of Gottingen, Lower Saxony
- University of Bremen, Bremen State
- Humboldt University of Berlin, Brandenburg
- Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Hesse
- University of Leipzig, Saxony
- Heidelberg University, Baden Wurttemberg
- Kiel University, Schleswig-Holstein
- University of Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg
- University of Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg
- Leibniz University of Hanover, Lower Saxony
- Ruhr University Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Baden-Württemberg
- Darmstadt University of Technology, Hesse
- University of Bamberg, Hesse
- Technical University of Berlin, Brandenburg
- TU Dortmund University, North Rhine-Westphalia
- University of Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia
- University of Kassel, Hesse
- Ilmenau University of Technology, Thuringia
- University of Wurzburg, Bavaria
- University of Passau, Bavaria
- Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Thuringia
- Saarland University, Saarland
- University of Hildesheim, Lower Saxony
- Catholic University of Eichstatt-Ingolstadt, Bavaria
- University of Giessen, Giessen
- Osnabruck University, Lower Saxony
In Conclusion, the requirements listed above are the general requirements for studying journalism in Germany. However, each university might have additional requirements which they expect students to meet before they are granted admission. Therefore, you should make sure that you verify each university’s requirements properly before submitting your application. Additionally, you need to confirm the language of instruction for the university before you submit your application. You can reach out for further inquiries and assistance.
Good luck!