earth from space

Geography

How are landscapes formed? How do we deal with natural hazards? And how is the soil affected by climate change? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
earth from space
Image: skeeze/Pixabay
Key facts
Degree
Bachelor of Science
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
180
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science
Institute of Geography
Application & Deadlines

Programme content

Have you always had an interest in towns, cities, countries and landscapes? Great! You’ve got a solid foundation. But there is more to the subject of ‘Geography’ than topographical knowledge. You need a flair for research! During your studies, you will focus on the surface of the earth, societies, spatial structures and their material and intellectual environments—in other words, you will examine both the physical and social world.

And what do you need? Various tools, of course! Geographers gain their knowledge mainly through maps, fieldwork and laboratory studies, as well as through social scientific methods. And they also use aerial and satellite images and geographic information systems, which enable the analysis and visualization of spatial data. These tools will allow you to examine current geographical issues, such as sustainability, resource management, globalization, and social and spatial change.

Your studies will introduce you to various branches of geography, such as natural sciences (Physical Geography and Soil Science), social sciences, economics and humanities (Human Geography), and technical and practical areas (Geoinformatics and Earth Observation). 

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A student, Max, talks about his Geography degree at the University of Jena [in German].

Digital discovery tour with free app: Would you like to find out more about our degree in Geography with fun quiz questions and puzzles? Click here for our interactive discovery tour app [in German].

Structure

The bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study is a total of six semesters, during which various forms of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or practical courses) are offered for the individual modules.

If you take a single-subject bachelor’s programme in ‘Geography’, your field of study will comprise 180 credits (ECTS for short; 1 ECTS = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations).

Your study programme will teach you all the basics and give you the opportunity to specialize in a specific branch of geography. You can choose from the following areas of specialization:

  • Physical Geography and Soil Science
  • Economy and Space and
  • Geoinformatics and Earth Observation

In the first two semesters, the foundations are laid for all three areas of specialization. You will then be able to focus on a specific field from the third semester onwards. The sixth semester is dedicated to practical training and research.

You can also supplement your studies with interdisciplinary modules, including foreign languages and courses offered for related study programmes, such as Geology, Ecology, Computer Science and Business Administration.

How might your degree programme shape up?

1st semester
 2nd semester
 3rd semester
 4th semester
 5th semester
 6th semester
Technical Foundations (30 ECTS): Required elective modules
(3 x 5 ECTS):		 Required elective modules (40 ECTS each):
specialization opportunities in one of the geographic fields		 Vocational internship for
9 weeks (13 ECTS)
  • Physical Geography and Soil Science
  • Economic and Social Geography
  • Geographic Information Science and Earth Observation
  • Physical Geography and Soil Science
  • Economy and Space
  • Geographic Information Science and Earth Observation
  • Physical Geography and Soil Science
  • Economy and Space
  • Geographic Information Science and Earth Observation
 Bachelor’s Thesis
(12 ECTS)
Basic Methods (30 ECTS): Compulsory modules
(5 ECTS):		 Compulsory modules (at least 5 ECTS):
Scientific Work Earth History Applied Image Processing Module(s) in a geographical field other than the chosen area of specialization
Statistics Context area (max. 30 ECTS):
Cartography Geoinformation Systems Selection of interdisciplinary modules or other modules from the geographic department

Short form: ECTS = credit points (European Credit Transfer System)

More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programme [in German].External link

Why study in Jena?

Prof. Dr. Alexander Brenning

Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)

 

As geographers, we are interested in the relationship between people and the environment. As a geoinformatics specialist, I give students the methods and tools they often need to kick-start their careers, and I find practical exercises really important.

Prof. Dr Alexander Brenning, Professor of Geoinformatics

A look behind the scenes

  • Institute of Geography at Löbdergraben 32
    Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
    Welcome to our Institute!

    Since 1992, our Institute of Geography has developed into one of the most important in the German-speaking world, representing the entire range of geographic disciplines with seven professorships. The institute is located at Löbdergraben 32 in Jena—right in the city centre.

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What can you do after your studies?

Areas of employment for graduates

  • urban development and spatial planning
  • regional marketing and tourism
  • conservation of nature and landscapes
  • development of geographic software
  • institutions of higher education and research institutes 
  • child and adult education
  • engineering and planning offices
  • energy industry
  • transportation
  • logistics companies
  • economic development

Postgraduate master’s programmes at our University

  1. Business Administration for Engineers and Natural Scientists Master of Science
    • Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
  2. Geography - Climate and Environmental Change Master of Science
    • Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science
  3. Geography - Migration, demographic change and regional development Master of Science
    • Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science
  4. Geoinformatics Master of Science
    • Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science
All degree programmes

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

  • the willingness to deal with complex systems in natural and social sciences, and the ability to critically examine issues
  • the willingness to read and learn
  • an interest in current processes, such as globalization, climate change, soil degradation, regional development and sustainability
  • an interest in the methods used in natural, social and computer science

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Language requirements

    The study programme is taught in German. You must therefore have a very good command of German at the start of the study programme.

Contacts

Academic Advisor — Prof Dr Roland Zech

Room 309.1
Löbdergraben 32
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Examinations Office of the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences

Humboldtstraße 11
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Student Representatives Geography

Room 204
Löbdergraben 32
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
Please note: The Central Student Advisory Service will not be available from 21.12.2024. We will be back for you on Monday, 06.01.2025.

We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link