Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Degree

Combined bachelor, Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), depending on the course component (science, humanities or social sciences). The course can only be studied with a teacher-training component. Also refer to the ‘Geography’ mono-bachelor’s course and the ‘Bachelor’s and master’s courses at HU’ FAQ. You may also want to have a look at ‘Teacher training at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin’.

Standard time for completing course

6 semesters

Start of study

Cf. course catalogue

Combinations

Core subject with teaching training option: 113 CP, with a second subject to be selected
Second subject with teaching training option: 67 CP, with any bachelor’s core subject except Biology, History and Physics

*One credit point (CP) equals a workload of 25 - 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.

Course objectives

The bachelor’s course in Geography is an integrated, balanced study of the foundations of Physical Geography and Human Geography, followed by specialisation in one of the two sub-disciplines. The course teaches theory and a broad spectrum of processes and empirical working methods in lectures and accompanying seminars. The subject-based studies are intended to equip students with the following competencies:
appreciation of current attitudes to the understanding of Geography and its role today’s society; essential issues in the history of Geography; fundamental geographical subject matter and processes; current hot topics in research in the sub-disciplines of Physical Geography, Human Geography and the overlapping areas of the two; fundamentals of the spatial fields of application of Geography; the interdisciplinary relationships of Geography; the development, interconnection and problems of geographical spaces of different scales; and fundamental subject-specific methods and working techniques.

Why should you study Geography at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin?

Geography has been part of our university since its very beginnings in 1810. Carl Ritter - one of the founders of the subject as a modern university discipline - taught here. At that time, he wanted to show how the specific character of the Earth’s surface influenced people and how they live and, conversely, how humans have ‘mastered’ nature and by doing, so altered the space they inhabit. Geographers at the Humboldt-Universität Department of Geography are still looking into this time-tested issue. Of course, they also look at much more and the techniques have also moved on since then, too. Geography - a discipline located between the natural sciences and social sciences - is particularly well-suited to an interdisciplinary approach using multiple perspectives. Geography contributes to our understanding of accelerated global development and provides an insight into how we need to manage this in line with sustainability principles. The Department of Geography’s staff specialise in both sub-complexes of the subject: the natural sciences and the social, cultural & economic sciences. We give students a robust foundation from which they can advance to develop their own specialisation.

Content of studies

The best way to find detailed information about the exact course content is using the annotated university calendar and current timetables, which can be found at u.hu-⁠berlin.de/⁠vorlesungsverzeichnis. The Course Advisory Service is also available to help you (see important addresses). You will find module descriptions and the course curriculum in the course and examination regulations, available online at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 27/2014, first amendment no. 29/2015.

Geography as a Core Subject with 113 CP

Mandatory Modules (87 CP)

You can choose between a F1 or a F2 module for your 15 CP variant; similarly, you can choose between a F3 or a F4 module for your other 15 CP variant.

Mandatory Elective Modules (10 CP)

Teacher training Modules (16 CP)

Teacher training for students who wish to enter the teaching profession consists of the Educational Sciences Modules with in total 11 CP and a Language Training Module with 5 CP.

Geography as a second subject with 67 CP

Mandatory Modules (57 CP)

Mandatory Elective Modules (10 CP)

One of these three modules has to be chosen.

General elective course offerings for students coming from other courses of studies

Master’s degrees

You can apply for the following consecutive master’s courses at Humboldt-Universität:

• Master of Education
• Urban Geography - Human Geography
• Global Change Geographie
• Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Horticultural Science
• Integrated Natural Resource Management
• Modern South and South-East Asian Studies
• Rural Development

You’ll find other programmes in the current ‘Post-graduate degree courses’ course catalogue, available at http://studium.hu-berlin.de/beratung/sa.

Important addresses

Department of Geography: Rudower Chaussee 16, 12489 Berlin, www.geographie.hu-berlin.de
Course Advisory Service: Ms Reinke, Tel. +49 30 2093 9379, verena.reinke@geo.hu-berlin.de
Approval/classification: Prof. Bagoly-Simó, Tel. +49 30 2093 6871, peter.bagoly-simo@geo.hu-berlin.de
Teacher Training Service Centre, http://studium.hu-berlin.de/lust/lehrer, Tel. +49 30 2093 1571, lehrerbildung@rz.hu-berlin.de
Applications: www.hu-berlin.de/en/studies
Links to job market: Careers Information Centre (http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/web/content/DE/BuergerinnenUndBuerger/ArbeitundBeruf/Berufswahl/Berufsinformationszentren/index.htm), Employment market reports (http://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/Navigation/Statistik/Arbeitsmarktberichte/Akademiker/Akademiker-Nav.html), Federal Employment Office Berufenet (www.berufenet.arbeitsagentur.de/), Hochschulteam calendar of events (http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/web/content/DE/dienststellen/rdbb/berlinmitte/Agentur/BuergerinnenundBuerger/Akademiker/index.htm)

Version: May 2017
Back to Course catalogue

Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page: studienberatung@uv.hu-berlin.de