Study programmes

Under the umbrella of the FGU, students pursue a joint programme of study in France and Germany, allowing them to gain knowledge of the higher education systems of both countries “from the inside”. Some cooperation programmes even have an association with a third-country partner, in which case students on these tri-national courses pursue part of their studies there.

Students become familiar with different academic teaching methods, communicate in the language of the partner country and immerse themselves in its culture. This high level of integration distinguishes the integrated bi-national or tri-national study programmes at the FGU from other exchange or immersion programmes.

Furthermore, many degree programmes offer language courses designed especially for FGU students, which not only improve their proficiency in the language of the respective partner country, but also teach intercultural skills and methods. The basis of an FGU degree programme is a joint curriculum developed by university teachers from the respective partner universities. On this basis, these courses of study enable students to obtain two or more equivalent state-recognised degrees (double or triple or dual degrees), usually without extending the duration of their studies. The programmes offered by the FGU cover the following fields of study: law, economics, humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, IT, engineering, teacher training and architecture. This offering can be extended from year to year depending on the applications submitted by the universities.

The FGU provides financial support for all cooperation programmes under its umbrella and pays students monthly mobility grants amounting to €350 for the duration of their period of study abroad. The more than 21,000 alumni who have graduated from the FGU in the course of the past 20 years have a high level of academic expertise, multilingual and cross-cultural competence and excellent prospects on the international job market. In contrast to less demanding, shorter mobility programmes, they have completed half of their studies in a mixed group of students in the host country and are therefore equally familiar with the study systems in the two countries. The courses at the FGU are Franco-German programmes; however, acquiring English-language skills also plays a role. This sets the students up excellently for a job in an international working environment.

As mentioned earlier, the FGU has also opened up its programmes to universities in third countries. The teaching languages in tri-national FGU study programmes are also primarily French and German, with English as a supplementary language where appropriate. In the case of a cooperation programme with a partner in a third country, students from the third country are welcomed onto the FGU’s courses by French and German universities, for which they receive a mobility grant funded by the FGU.

For a list of integrated Franco-German bi-national and tri-national courses backed by the FGU, go to the “online study guide” (online study guide in German, online study guide in French) on our website. More specific information can be obtained from the university concerned, where the respective programme director can provide details about the application procedure, the content and structure of the programme, the degrees obtained, etc.

Currently, the FGU promotes 186 bi-national and tri-national courses.

Should you have any further questions, please contact: info(at)dfh-ufa.org

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