There are different opportunities for foreign students to
spend one or two semesters at Universität Dortmund. If your university takes part
in the
Erasmus programme,
this is the easiest way to spend a semester at the Institute of
Journalism (IfJ) in Dortmund where you can choose classes from the science journalistic curriculum. You have to contact the Erasmus office of your own university to ask for the conditions of the exchange. In winter term 2007/2008 the Institute of Journalism cooperated with more than 20
partner schools.
Here we present some answers on
frequently
asked questions about the Erasmus programme, kindly provided by the
Erasmus Office of the IfJ. Last but not least you will find here
information about how to apply for studies in Dortmund, if you cannot
take part
in the Erasmus programme.
Courses
Is there a special programme for Erasmus students?
All Erasmus students join the regular classes. They can take part in
all lectures and seminars including the so-called
'Lehrredaktionen'. '
Lehrredaktionen' are practical training classes simulating editorial
offices of a daily newspaper, radio, TV or online magazine.
Am I allowed to take courses from other faculties as well?
Yes, you are. However, you should take at least 50 percent of your courses at the Institute of Journalism (IfJ).
Where can I find the curriculum?
The curriculum for the whole university can be found online.
>> link (Vorlesungsverzeichnis)
For lectures and seminars of the IfJ you should also look on the
homepage. Unfortunately the IfJ curriculum usually is not completed
until two or three months before classes start. Usually it is helpful
to look at former curricula, since many courses are taught on a
continuous base, especially those classes in the
‘Grundstudium’.
Often there are no ECTS credits declared in the curriculum. How do I know how many credits I will get?
Apart from language classes which are rewarded with a fixed amount of
credits, it depends on the workload of the seminar. Lectures are
usually honoured with 2 CPs for attendance. If you take an oral or
written exam, you will get additional CPs. Also you will get 3
additional CPs in a seminar for a presentation or 5 additional CPs for
writing an assignment. You will find more details about ECTS credits in
the DortmundGuide which the Erasmus Office of the IfJ will send on
demand.
Language
Are lectures only held in German or are there also English language classes?
Apart from one or two seminars, all classes at the IfJ are held in
German. Of course there are other faculties offering lectures and
seminars in English. Nonetheless, it is absolutely necessary to start
learning German before coming to Dortmund AND to join the German
Intensive Course offered by Dortmund University in order to be able to
participate in the regular classes.
When exactly is the language class and what does it cost?
The German Intensive Course is always offered one month before lectures
start, i.e. either in March or in September. It takes four weeks and is
free of charge for all Erasmus students.
Organisation
When can I come to study at the IfJ?
You can come over both in the autumn semester
(October till March) and in the spring semester (April till September).
Lectures always end in February and July. After that you have time to
write your assignments. If you take part in the German Intensive
Language Course you will have to arrive one month before the start of
semester.
What documents do I have to send in and where can I find them?
Before coming over you first need to send an application to the Office of International Affairs
(Akademisches Auslandsamt, AAA). They will then send you a checklist with all important information on
organisational affairs. Apart from that you only need to fill in the
Learning Agreement, as soon as you are able to do so. Usually you will
up-date it during the first two weeks at the university. For blanks of
all required forms please visit the AAA homepage.
>> link (Akademisches Auslandsamt)
Are there any fees I have to pay?
As an Erasmus student you will not have to pay any study fee. But you
will have to pay the normal share all students have to pay in for
social support and their semester ticket. With this ticket you can use
all public transport (apart from the fast trains) in the Ruhrgebiet and
even take another person with you on weekends and after 7 pm.
Currently, the share is about 150 Euro.
Contact
Who can I ask if I have any further questions?
If you have any questions concerning housing,
language courses, assurance etc. please contact the AAA (Silke
Viol or one of her assistants).
If you have any academic questions concerning Journalism Studies, the
Learning Agreement etc. please contact the Erasmus Office of the IfJ. After having sent in your
application we will also find a personal mentor for you. This will be a
journalism student and he/she will help you with all administrational
stuff before and during your stay at Dortmund.
>> contact:
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Other ways to Dortmund
How can I apply for studies in Dortmund if I cannot take part in the Erasmus programme?
If your university is not part of the Erasmus
programme or if you have already spent one semester/year as an Erasmus
student, you can come to Dortmund as a
Freemover.
You need to get in touch with the university where you want to study
and initiate a contract for your exchange. If it is accepted you will
have about the same rights as Erasmus students have. For more
information please visit the homepage of the German Academic Exchange Service
(Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD).
>> link (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)
Portal 
Foreign Students 
