Heidelberg Center for Jewish Studies Jewish Studies – Bachelor 75%
The degree programme in Jewish Studies considers the Jewish religion, history and culture from the Antique period to the present day. Building on good language skills, it draws on a range of subdisciplines to offer students a comprehensive academic course.
Facts & Formalities
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts |
| Type of programme | Undergraduate |
| Start of programme | Winter semester only |
| Standard period of study | 6 semesters |
| Language(s) of instruction | German |
| Fees and contributions | 171.80 € / Semester |
| Application procedure | Registration for subjects with no admission restrictions or entrance examinations, Jewish Studies, BA |
| Application deadlines | Information about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program. |
Course Content
The Bachelor’s degree programme in Jewish Studies offers students a wide-ranging introduction to Jewish religion, history and culture. It explores the origins of Judaism, including religious texts and their interpretation over time, the history of the Jewish people, Jewish philosophy, art and literature, as well as numerous additional aspects of Jewish life in the present and past. Throughout the degree programme, students develop their language proficiency (in modern Hebrew, biblical Hebrew, rabbinic Hebrew, Aramaic or Yiddish), enabling them to pursue further study in Israel.
The degree programme qualifies graduates to continue on to a Master’s degree, for example a Master’s degree in Jewish Studies at the Heidelberg Center for Jewish Studies.
It is non-denominational and does not require pre-existing specialist knowledge.
Course Structure
The degree programme is modular. It includes introductory, advanced, and specialised modules. These consist in compulsory and compulsory elective modules, as well as modules relating to the examination prerequisites from the elective segment, and cross-disciplinary skills.
At the beginning of the academic course, students focus on improving their language proficiency (in modern Hebrew, biblical Hebrew, and rabbinic Hebrew). Students also gain an overview of the various subdisciplines within Jewish Studies. They receive an introduction to the principles of conducting academic work, and an introduction to Judaism from a rabbi. Students gain the Classical Hebrew Certificate (Hebraicum) after completing their second semester of study.
In view of the fact that beginner-level language courses and other introductory courses are provided in the winter semester only, the degree course should be begun in the winter semester. Individual exceptions to this are possible, in particular where students already possess the requisite language skills.
Building on the linguistic and methodological knowledge they have gained, students complete advanced modules. Conceived as an interdisciplinary course component, students gain insight into three thematic modules - “culture and literature”, “Jewish experiences” and “religion and philosophy”.
Students again cover all three thematic areas in the specialised modules. In preparation for the Bachelor’s thesis, they select their own area of specialisation at this point.
In the cross-disciplinary skills module, students develop key skills for the job market, as well as interdisciplinary and intercultural competencies.
Students may complete a semester abroad and achievements enabled by the relevant timetable of study will be recognised where possible. It is not mandatory to complete a semester abroad.
Students select the topic for their Bachelor’s thesis in discussion with a departmental lecturer. The topic must align with their chosen area of specialism, and sit within a subdiscipline of Jewish Studies.
They also select another subject from those offered by Heidelberg University, which is studied with a weighting of 25%. Suggested subject combinations:
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Religious Studies
- Education Studies
- History
- European Art History
- Christianity and Culture
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