Study organization

At the beginning of your studies, creating your timetable can seem a little complicated at first. Finding the right courses is sometimes not that easy. The following applies here: your module handbook and a sample timetable will show you which module is planned in which semester, which types of courses and how many semester hours per week are included. Some modules extend over several semesters. You can use this information to register for the relevant courses via HisPos in the course catalog.

A sample timetable will help you to find your way around at the beginning of your studies and know which courses to take and when. However, it is important to note that you are of course allowed to take more courses than are listed on the timetable and that you can also attend seminars that are in the 2nd or 3rd semester - you just need to check the MPO and see whether you already meet the requirements for the respective seminar. And when creating your timetable, bear in mind how many exams this means at the end of the semester - you might want to swap a seminar with a written exam for one where you only need one academic achievement.

You then create your own timetable in the so-called HisPos, where your studies are managed. You log in with your university account and use the course directory to find the respective modules with the courses assigned to them this year. For the seminars or lectures, click on the title to find a short description of who the seminar is for and when it takes place. You will also find the registration period!

For most German studies courses, this is done via the Prios system. On the start page (after you have logged in), select "Prioritized courses" in the sidebar, go to "Courses in my degree programme with prioritization", select the subject German Studies and look for the module in which the course you want to take is located. There you will see the individual course titles and can now assign priorities. You should consciously decide which one is most important to you and prioritize it accordingly. You don't have to assign all three priorities - sometimes your first place is assigned because another seminar suits you in terms of time, but that doesn't have to be the case. Of course, this allocation is generally based on the number of semesters. For further and clearer help, take a look at these instructions.

Using the timetable function in HisPos, you can also add the individual courses of your choice to an online timetable and have a direct overview of which courses you want to take in the next semester and for which you have already registered. This function is highly recommended so that you can check when and where your courses are taking place throughout the semester.

First of all, there is a succession procedure in which free places can be filled again. You can find all the information on this in the course catalog. However, if you still haven't got a place, we recommend that you simply drop by the seminar and ask the lecturer whether you can still get a place.

Every student has probably heard this side-swipe at some point and we'll just assume that you won't be spared it either. But is that a reason to turn red immediately? To quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 6, Verse 23: "No.". Rather, this - admittedly provocative - question should motivate you to think about how you can use your internship to find out exactly that. Because yes, studying German studies is not just dry theory, it also has a bit more to offer.

According to the module examination regulations (§ 10: Internship), part of the Bachelor's degree course in German Studies at the University of Kassel is an internship of at least eight weeks in Germany or abroad. The eight weeks do not have to be completed in one go, but experience has shown that this makes sense, as it takes time to get used to the work placement and to be able to take on responsibility and work independently. Any institution that is in any way related to German studies is suitable as an internship. You can find out whether this is the case by talking to your mentor, who you can find out from the Institute of German Studies by providing your name and matriculation number - this can be done very quickly and even by email.

It is good to know at this point that a period of study at a university abroad or previous training related to the degree program can also be counted as an internship.
To ensure that everything runs smoothly, there are a few things you need to bear in mind before and after the internship.

There is a lot of organization and paperwork to deal with before the internship. The biggest item is finding a suitable internship and the associated application process. Once you've done that, there's just one important form to complete: the application for the mandatory internship must be signed by your mentor and submitted to the internship coordinator at Faculty 02. If your internship institution requires notification of your enrolment or compulsory internship, you can obtain this from the Internship Coordination Office or the Examinations Office.

After the internship, you will need a confirmation from your internship provider and must write an internship report within 12 weeks. You can find the relevant forms and formalities here. Both must be submitted to the examination coordinator as a single document and will not be graded. If everything is done on time and in accordance with the requirements, your internship is deemed to have been passed. You will receive 12 credits and have overcome a hurdle on the way to admission to the Bachelor's thesis. And ideally, you will also have gained an experience for life.

The secret is to turn your duty into your free time. If you have to do an internship, then use it to take something away from it for your life and your professional future. This is entirely possible, but it doesn't just happen on its own. The keywords you should keep in mind are simple: organization, motivation, self-confidence. If you take these points into account, the perfect internship is not rocket science and is within your grasp.

Organization is the key to success. Nowadays, the range of offers is so large and confusing that it can take a while to really get through. There are many ways to look for an internship and many more companies and institutions offering one. That's why you should first organize your own thoughts and interests and, in the next step, your approach. Think about when, where and for how long you would like to do your internship. Ask yourself what interests you and what you want to do. Once you are clear about all of this, you can start your search. It can help to simply go through life with your eyes and ears open and take note of notices, newspaper advertisements and good tips from fellow students. You'll be a real pro if you stay organized during your internship: The more notes you make about your experiences in your new working life, the less work you'll have at the end when writing your internship report. You'll know this best if you haven't done it yourself.

Motivation keeps you from just giving up. The application process can sometimes be tough and nerve-wracking. It is possible that you will be accepted directly by the first company, but this is not necessarily the norm. The more applications you write, the better your chances. And if it does rain down rejections, it is all the more important to stay motivated. After all, it's not your life that depends on this internship. And if that doesn't help, others have done it before you. Know your worth and have:

Self-confidence is the only way to stand out from the crowd. If there is an internship that you really want, make sure that this is clear in your cover letter and make it clear to the company why you are the right person for the job. If the position is not advertised, try an unsolicited application. Job advertisements are often peppered with requirements that make you desperate. For example, how are you supposed to get an internship if the company states that you have already completed an internship? The answer is simple: by trying anyway. It may take a little effort, but it pays off in the end. And self-confidence is also the key to not ending up as a coffee maker during an internship.

As part of your practical training, you will complete a practical semester during your studies. This takes place as part of the core educational science course and in the subjects German and mathematics and consists of a preparatory seminar, a school internship with accompanying seminar and a follow-up seminar. In addition, three accompanying events take place.

To be able to register for the internship semester, you must have successfully completed Module 1 in the core study program and successfully participated in the seminar on basic personal skills. To ensure that these requirements are met, it is recommended that you complete the practical semester from the third semester onwards.

The practical semester extends over a complete semester. The preparatory seminars take place during the lecture-free period before the start of the semester. The school internship then begins with a five-week compact phase and is then continued as a long phase during the semester. The accompanying seminars take place parallel to the school internship and extend over the entire lecture period, as do the accompanying events.

Information about the respective registration deadlines in the semester can be obtained from the Department for Practical School Studies. This department is also responsible for allocating internship places, seminars and assigning your internship school.

You can find more information here.

The practical school studies Ⅰ are part of the core studies in education and social sciences and include a practical overview of the subjects. These consist of a preparatory seminar, a school internship and a follow-up seminar. It is also possible to complete the SPS Ⅰ in combination with the SPS Ⅱ as an intensive internship.

To be able to register for the internship, you must have successfully completed Module 1b in the educational and social sciences core study program. Successful participation in the seminar on basic personal skills is also a prerequisite.

The internship takes place during the lecture-free period and is usually completed in the third semester. The preparatory seminar takes place in the semester before the school internship. The school internship itself lasts five weeks and comprises at least 100 hours. The follow-up seminar is a block event lasting several days following the school internship.

The Department for Practical School Studies is responsible for allocating the placement school and the seminars. You can also register via the department's homepage. You can also find all information on the registration deadlines on the homepage.

Further information can be found here.

There are three requirements for admission to the practical school studies Ⅱ: completion of the SPS Ⅰ, proper registration and participation in all preliminary meetings. Only then are you entitled to an internship.

In order to meet these requirements, it is recommended that you complete the internship from the third semester onwards. As there are more applications than internship places in some semesters, you may not be allocated a place. In this case, however, you will be reserved an internship place for the next semester, for which you will still have to register again. Although this is only for formal reasons, it is incredibly important.

In any case, you must register via the Department for Practical School Studies or via the HisPos portal. You can find information about the registration deadlines for each semester on the homepage of the Department of Practical School Studies.

After you have registered, you will receive initial information about the first preliminary meeting. Participation in this is a prerequisite for your internship. The second preliminary meeting will take place during the next semester break. At this meeting, you will receive all the important information about your internship school, your mentor and your university supervisor. It is important that you attend this second meeting, as failure to attend may result in you being banned from the internship for a semester.

The practical school studies Ⅱ take place during the semester and are based on the Hessian vacations. As a result, the internship takes place in the summer semester between the Easter and summer vacations. In the winter semester, it takes place between the fall break and the end of the semester.

Usually two or three students are assigned to one school or class. In the first step, you will sit in on this German class and take over the planning and implementation of several lessons over the course of the internship. This is also possible in team teaching. The amount of time required varies greatly depending on the type of school and class level. As a rule, there are three to five hours of lessons per week.

In addition to the school internship, you will attend a seminar held by your university mentor. The Department of Practical School Studies looks for schools and mentors and tries to find schools in Kassel or the surrounding area.

You can find more information here.

The Master's in German Studies is characterized by the option of a double degree. There are also numerous partner universities where you can study for a semester. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, it makes sense to get to grips with the subject as early as possible.

What's special about the Master's? You can complete it binationally. This means that you spend part of your studies in Kassel and part in Szeged, Hungary. At the end, you will receive a double degree - i.e. a degree certificate from both universities. The choice of the binational Master's naturally also has an impact on the modules: there are extra language courses and regional studies. This prepares you perfectly for your stay abroad. Have a look at the course website for all the information.

Of course, the Master's degree can also be studied without a double degree. However, it is still possible to go abroad. There are many ways to organize a stay abroad. If you have no experience in this area, it is best to go to the International Office for advice. In principle, you can go to all partner universities of Faculty 2 - however, you only have priority at your institute. This means that you may be rejected for a place if you apply to another institute. The International Office provides an overview of cooperations, including contact details.

Above all, it is important that you take care of your stay abroad early on. The Master's degree theoretically only lasts four semesters, the third is particularly suitable for your time at another university. Start making enquiries about everything in your first semester. Bureaucracy takes time and it would be a shame to miss out on such a great opportunity because you missed a deadline.