International Office - Internationalisierung

International degree programmes with double and joint degrees

Ruhr University Bochum offers its students numerous opportunities to not only study for some time (usually a term, sometimes longer) at one or more partner universities, but to also obtain an additional degree.

This can be optional but can also be obligatory for some study programmes. Graduates of these programmes will usually receive a double degree (two degrees) or a joint degree (one joint degree diploma from two or more universities).

Below, sorted by department, you will find brief descriptions of the corresponding study programmes and links to detailed information on the pages of the implementing departments.

Philology

B.A. Double degree option “Romance Philology” with the University of Réunion Island, France

Students from both universities can spend one year of their studies of “Franco-Germanic Studies: German-Speaking Regions and Overseas France” at the respective partner university as part of their Bachelor’s degree and receive a degree from both RUB, Bachelor of Arts in Romance Philology – French, and from the University of Réunion Island, Licence mention Langues, littératures et civilisations étrangères et régionales, parcours franco-allemand espaces germanophone et francophone d'outre-mer.

After their first year of studies, RUB students transfer to the University of Réunion Island for their second year and return to RUB for their third year. A minimum 70-hour credited internship during the study-stay abroad is a compulsory part of the degree programme.

Both universities offer this double degree programme with the intention of giving Bachelor’s students the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the language of the respective country, to deepen their intercultural knowledge and to gain an international perspective on various fields of work in philology.

The language of instruction at the University of Réunion Island is French.

Contact:

Dr. Judith Kittler

Website under construction.

M.A. Double degree option “Romance Philology” with the University of Tours, France

Master’s students of “Romance Philology – French” from both partner universities can spend their last year of study at the respective partner university and receive a Master's degree from RUB as well as the University of Tours.

Both universities offer this double degree programme in romance philology with the intention of giving Master’s students the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the language of the respective country, to deepen their intercultural knowledge and to gain an international perspective on various fields of work in romance philology.

The language of instruction in Tours is French.

Contact:

Dr. Judith Kittler

Website under construction.

B.A. Double degree option “Romance Philology” with Oviedo, Spain

Students from both partner universities can spend their final year of study at the respective partner university. Students receive a Bachelor’s degree from RUB as well as from the University of Oviedo.

The language of instruction in Oviedo is Spanish.

Contact:

Dr. Judith Kittler

Webpage under construction.

M.A. Double degree option “Comparative Studies” with Bergamo, Italy

The M.A. degree programme coordinated with the University of Bergamo aims to enable students to intensify their experiences and competencies in the field of intercultural and interdisciplinary exchange processes within the framework of a structured exchange programme. An obligatory component is also the intensification of spoken and written Italian and German language skills. At the end of the programme, students receive an M.A. degree from both Ruhr University Bochum and University of Bergamo.

Participating in this degree programme opens up professional perspectives in both countries. Based within the framework of the M.A. “Comparative Studies” study programme, this degree option is comprised of two one-year study phases at the Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Bergamo.

The languages of instruction are German and Italian.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Peter Goßens

Visit the study programme's website

M.A. “Media Studies” programme with partner universities from 14 countries

The degree programme “Film and Audiovisual Media” (“International Master in Audiovisual and Cinema Studies”, IMACS) offers an in-depth knowledge of media with a focus on the history, theory, aesthetics and economics of film and audiovisual media. Students are given the opportunity to work on academic issues in an international context and to deepen their proficiency in different languages and cultures.

The Master’s programme takes place in cooperation with 16 international universities, including RUB. Of the cooperation partners, students choose two universities in addition to their home university. For RUB students, the beginning and the end of the programme (first and fourth terms) take place at RUB, while the second and third terms are studied at two different foreign partner universities.

The languages of instruction are German, English and the languages of the partner countries in which the stays abroad are carried out.

No double or joint degrees are currently awarded in this degree programme. RUB students receive the RUB degree certificate.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Oliver Fahle

Felix Hasebrink

Visit the study programme's website

(Information in English is located at the bottom of the webpage)

Social sciences

M.A. Double degree programme “Gender Studies” with Graz, Austria

The M.A. double degree programme “Gender Studies”, developed in cooperation with the University of Graz, teaches different disciplinary perspectives, theories and methods that complement each other in their respective subject matter and can be related to each other under an overarching gender perspective.

Participating students acquire gender competencies from an international, especially European, perspective, which are becoming increasingly relevant increasing in demand against the background of current cultural, social, political, and economic transformation processes. At least one term must be spent at the University of Graz to obtain an M.A. degree in “Gender Studies”, which is awarded jointly by the RUB and the University of Graz and equally recognised in both countries.

The languages of instruction are German and English.

Contact:

Maximiliane Brand

Visit the study programme's website

M.A. Double degree option “Ethics” with Graz, Austria

The double degree Master’s programme enables students of the two local programmes, “Political, Economic and Legal Philosophy” of the University of Graz and “Ethics - Economics, Law, and Politics” (EELP) of RUB, to expand and deepen their knowledge of the content offered within the framework of these study programmes and their different focal points. Focal points lie in the interdisciplinary linking of topics of practical philosophy and applied ethics with socially relevant questions of economics, politics, and law along various research foci (including justice and legitimacy in space and time, dealing with historical injustice, climate change, responsibility towards future generations, and challenges posed by globalisation) of the partner universities.

In order to receive the academic degrees, Master of Arts in “Ethics - Economics, Law, and Politics” from Ruhr University Bochum and Master of Arts in “Political, Economic and Legal Philosophy” from the University of Graz, RUB students must have acquired at least 30 ECTS at the University of Graz and have completed the final examination (Master’s thesis and Master’s colloquium) with collaborative supervision on both sides.

The languages of instruction are German and English.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Corinna Mieth - Executive Director

Prof. Dr. Klaus Steigleder - Executive Director

Marcus Reinecke - Programme Coordinator

Visit the study programme's website

M.A. Double degree option “International Relations” with Wrocław, Poland

Students from Ruhr University Bochum study at RUB for the first year and at the University of Wrocław for one or two terms in the second year. They must acquire at least 30 ECTS (one term) at the University of Wrocław. Additionally, their Master’s thesis is to be supervised by a qualified member of staff from both universities.

After successful completion of the two-year programme, students are awarded the following degrees: M.A. in “Social Science, with a specialisation in ‘Globalisation, Transnationalisation and Governance’” from RUB and Dyplom magistra na kierunku stosunki międzynarodowe (Master of Arts in “International Relations”) from the University of Wrocław.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Stefan Schirm

Aukje van Loon

Visit the study programme’s website

M.A. Double degree option “Management and Regulation of Work, Economy and Organisation” with Puebla, Mexico

The double degree option in cooperation with the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) offers an interdisciplinary study of the social sciences with a focus on national and international organisations (private, for-profit, and non-profit) as well as on specific topics such as business development, human resource development, labour processes, international labour migration, participation, regulation of labour relations and labour markets. The goal is gaining a professionally oriented Master’s degree, which focuses on the international perspective of the study programme. This is promoted by a stay abroad of at least one term integrated into the study programme.

With 1.5 million inhabitants, Puebla is one of the largest cities in Mexico; BUAP is one of the oldest universities in the country and offers a broad range of courses as part of the double degree option. In addition to the interdisciplinary focus on labour, economics and organisation, another focus is on the transnationalisation of labour migration. RUB students spend the first term in Bochum and transfer to BUAP for one or two of the following terms. To be awarded the double degree, students must spend at least one term at BUAP (30 ECTS).

Courses are offered in German or English at Ruhr University Bochum and in Spanish at BUAP in Mexico.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Birgit Apitzsch

Prof. Dr. Margit Fauser

Visit the study programme's website

(Website only available in German)

Law

B.A. Double degree programme “National and European Business Law” with Tours, France

The law faculties of the Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Tours offer a joint Bachelor’s degree programme in law designed to prepare a new generation of lawyers for the complex and demanding job market. Students participating in this integrated French-German Bachelor’s in “National and European Business Law” are specially prepared for the specifics of legal cases and situations dealing with French-German and European relations.

In this context, Germany and France, as two economically important states in the European Union and internationally, offer a rewarding field of activity for economic- oriented lawyers. RUB students spend four terms at RUB and two at the University of Tours.

The language of instruction in Tours is French.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Adelheid Puttler

Visit the study programme's website

(Website only available in German and French)

M.A. Double degree programme “National and European Business Law” with Tours, France

The law faculties of the Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Tours offer a joint Master’s degree programme in law designed to prepare a new generation of lawyers for the complex and demanding job market. Students participating in this integrated French-German Master’s in “National and European Business Law” are specially prepared for the specifics of legal cases and situations dealing with French-German and European relations.

In this context, Germany and France, as two economically important states in the European Union and internationally, offer a rewarding field of activity for economic- oriented lawyers. RUB students spend two terms at RUB and two at the University of Tours.

The language of instruction in Tours is French.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Adelheid Puttler

Visit the study programme's website

(Website only available in German and French)

History

B.A. Double degree programme “History” with Tours, France

The integrated Bachelor of Arts in “History” of the Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Tours offers students the chance to broaden their cultural and intellectual horizons and, through its intercultural perspective, equips graduates for the demands of an international labour market that increasingly requires intercultural competencies and perspective.

The study plan provides for students to study at their home university for two terms and then transfer to the host university for their third and optionally their fourth term. The fifth term is studied in Tours and the sixth in Bochum.

The language of instruction in Tours is French.

Contact:

Dr. Jens Lieven

Visit the study programme's website

(Website only available in German)

M.A. Double degree programme “History” with Tours, France

The integrated Bachelor of Arts in “History” of the Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Tours offers students the chance to broaden their cultural and intellectual horizons. The Master’s programme continues developing the competencies acquired in the Bachelor’s programme and equips graduates for the demands of an international labour market that increasingly requires intercultural competencies and perspective.

The study plan provides for students to study together in Tours for their first term and in Bochum for their second and third term before finishing in Tours for their fourth term.

The language of instruction in Tours is French.

Contact:

Dr. Jens Lieven

Visit the study programme's website

(Website only available in German)

Medicine

M.Sc. Double Degree Programm „Medical Stem Cell and Molecular Biology“ mit Oulu, Finnland

Stem cells have an outstanding influence on almost all disciplines in the life sciences that make organisms the subject of their research. There is a great need for young scientists who can cope with a highly interdisciplinary field of research. The aim of this double degree program with the University of Oulu in Finland is therefore to offer a highly interdisciplinary Master's degree program that is geared towards cutting-edge research and current markets.

The program combines classical disciplines from the fields of cell biology, histology, biochemistry and pathology with current topics in epigenetics, bioinformatics and developmental biology and in particular a molecular biology focus in Finland in order to offer students the broadest possible understanding of innovative approaches to translational medicine. To obtain a Master of Science degree from Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Oulu in the 'Medical Stem Cell and Molecular Biology' program, students spend the first year of study at Ruhr University Bochum and the second at the University of Oulu.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Beate Brand-Saberi

To the website of the program

M.Sc. Double degree programme “Molecular and Development Stem Cell Biology” with Jinan, China

The degree programme is being phased out in its current form and will be fundamentally revised. Applications for a double degree are currently not possible.

Stem cells have an outstanding influence on almost all life science disciplines that make organisms the subject of their research. The aim of this double degree programme with the University of Jinan in China is to offer a highly interdisciplinary Master’s programme oriented towards cutting-edge research and current markets to prepare young scientists to be able to cope with a highly interdisciplinary field of research.

In order to offer students the broadest possible understanding of innovative approaches to translational medicine, this programme combines classical disciplines from the fields of cell biology, histology, biochemistry and pathology with current topics in epigenetics, bioinformatics and developmental biology. The acquisition of a Master of Science degree from Ruhr University Bochum and Jinan University requires students to spend the first year of study at RUB and the second at Jinan University.

The language of instruction in Guangzhou is English.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Beate Brand-Saberi

Visit the study programme's website

Geography and earth sciences

M.Sc. Double degree option “Applied Geothermics” with San Juan, Argentina

The Institute of Geology, Mineralogy and Geophysics of the Faculty of Geosciences at Ruhr University Bochum and the Facultad de ciencias exactas físicas y naturales of the Universidad Nacional in San Juan, Argentina, are jointly offering a double degree programme to develop new, effective geothermal-related techniques.

After the first Master’s term at RUB, the second term is spent at the Universidad Nacional de San Juan, where specific knowledge concerning the South American region is taught and the nearby active geothermal systems are used for extended field internships. Students spend their third term together at RUB, where the focus transitions to laboratory methods. The Master’s thesis can be written either in Germany or in Argentina under the supervision of teachers from both universities.

The language of instruction in both countries is English.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Stefan Wohnlich

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Schreuer

Visit the study programme's website

Engineering and natural sciences

B.Sc. Double degree option “Electrical/Electronics Engineering” with Bogotá, Colombia

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Ruhr University Bochum and the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá (UNAL) offer an integrative double Bachelor’s degree. As part of the curriculum, participating RUB students must spend their fifth and sixth terms at UNAL and once there complete 60 ECTS.

During their time at UNAL, students choose their core subjects from an extended catalogue of subjects, complete a “student practice” practical project and their Bachelor’s thesis. In addition to these curricular activities, students work in research groups at UNAL on current research projects.

The language of instruction in Colombia is Spanish.

Contact:

Dr.-Ing. Christoph Baer

Visit the study programme’s website

(Website only available in German)

B.Sc. Double degree option “Mechanical Engineering” with Vietnamese-German University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Bachelor’s degree programme in Mechanical Engineering (ME), located at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, is a seven-semester full-time programme with 210 ECTS and a double degree option.

In the first few terms, the most important fundamentals of mechanical engineering (mathematics, science, and engineering) are taught. After having acquired a solid foundation, students develop an independent and unique profile through numerous elective options, e.g., in applied mechanics, energy and process engineering, construction and automation technology, or materials and micro-engineering. Graduates often work in plant engineering, construction, quality management, production, or energy management.

In order to obtain the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree of Vietnamese-German University (VGU) in Mechanical Engineering in addition to the B.Sc. degree of Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) in Mechanical Engineering, students have to earn at least 45 ECTS at VGU. The Bachelor’s thesis (12 ECTS) is considered part of these 45 ECTS if it is supervised by a staff member from both universities. Within the framework of the Flying Faculty scheme between RUB and VGU, RUB lecturers will also teach at VGU.

Stays at VGU are possible either by term or spread over several for individual block modules. For the stay at VGU, our students do not have to pay the usual VGU tuition fees.

The language of instruction at VGU is English.

Before enrolling at VGU, RUB students must provide proof of at least an IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 60 English language certificate.

Contact:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roland Span

Visit the VGN website

M.Sc. Double degree option “Computational Engineering” with Vietnamese-German University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This interdisciplinary Master’s degree programme in Computational Engineering, based at RUB’s Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, provides knowledge in engineering mechanics, computer science and mathematics needed for the innovative design and analysis of high-tech engineering systems and materials, as well as the necessary scientific methods. It qualifies students for outstanding positions in technology companies and research institutions.

The programme offers interested students the opportunity to earn a VGU degree in addition to the degree they will obtain from RUB. In this variant, the first year of study (first and second terms) takes place at RUB. Students wishing to obtain a double degree then spend their third term at VGU in Vietnam, with the possibility of also writing their Master’s thesis there. As part of this programme, three courses per year are offered at VGU by RUB lecturers as part of a Flying Faculty scheme.

The stay abroad, as offered by this programme, strengthens intercultural knowledge and flexibility in thinking and openness to alternative approaches. This is unquestionably very useful for future professional careers. Furthermore, graduates of this programme can rightly claim to have mastered the challenges of learning and working in a culturally distinctly different environment.

The programme’s student body is highly international.

The language of instruction is English at both RUB and VGU.

Contact:

Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Sahlmen

Visit the study programme's website

Visit the VGU website

M.Sc. Double degree option “Mechanical Engineering” with Shanghai, China

RUB’s mechanical engineering students can obtain a double M.Sc. in “Mechanical Engineering with a specialisation in ‘Construction, Vehicle and Energy Technology’” from RUB and Tongji University. To do so, they must have successfully passed all examinations of their first and second Master’s term at RUB. They then take further courses at Tongji University and write their Master’s thesis there in cooperation with a professor from Bochum.

Contact:

Pascalis Trentsios

Visit the study programme's website

International cooperation

Joint European Master’s degree programme “Humanitarian Action” (NOHA) with 17 partner universities of various countries

The Master’s in humanitarian action is a Joint European Master's degree that provides excellent inter-university and interdisciplinary academic training for those working or intending to work in the field of humanitarian action. The programme combines scientifically sound theoretical knowledge with the acquisition of practical professional skills, drawing on the internationally renowned Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA), supported by nine European universities.

Students complete part of their studies in humanitarian action at at least one of the universities participating in this Joint European Master's degree programme.

The language of instruction throughout the programme is English. Depending on the choice of universities students attend during the programme or the countries and institutions in which they undertake an internship as part of NOHA, knowledge of Spanish and French may also be required.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Heintze

Robin Pass

Visit the study programme's website

Joint European Master’s degree programme “Human Rights and Democratisation” with 41 partner universities of various countries

The Joint European Master's degree programme “Human Rights and Democratisation” (EMA) is a one-year Master’s programme aimed at providing professional knowledge and practical experience in human rights and democratisation. This study programme is run jointly by 41 European universities and is comprised of parts of international relations, law, philosophy, history, anthropology, political science, and sociology.

The study plan provides for the first term to be spent at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice and the second at one of the other participating universities, for example RUB.

The language of instruction is English. Tuition fees are charged for this degree programme.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Heintze

Visit the study programme’s website

M.A. Double degree option “Development Management” with Capetown, South Africa

The English-language, three-term Master’s programme “Development Management” offered by the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy (IEE) of RUB provides students with a practice-oriented approach throughout their studies. Students are confronted with practical problems in terms of planning, monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects.

Particularly good students of the RUB-based Master’s programme “Development Management” have the opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in addition to the degree from RUB by completing various additional achievements.

The language of instruction is English.

Contact:

Dr. Tobias Thürer

Visit the study programme's website

Annotation

Double degree option: Offers students the opportunity to earn a second degree from a partner university in an existing degree programme.

Double degree programme: Stand-alone programme leading to the acquisition of two degrees (one from the home university and another from the partner university).

Joint degree programme: Independent study programme leading to the acquisition of a joint degree from the home and one or more partner universities.

Joint European degree programme: Stand-alone programme leading to a joint degree from the home and one or more partner universities, for which tuition fees are payable, but which often also provides some EU scholarships for enrolled students.

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