Hauptinhalt

FAQ

Main contacts

Programme coordination: Dr. Ansgar Dorenkamp

Study abroad: Dr. Dietrich Göttlicher

Student Advisor at the Department of Geography: Prof. Dr. Sören Becker

Student Advisor at the Department of Business and Economics:
In case of questions regarding module allocation and administrative matters: Dr. Regine Reck
In case of content-related questions: Prof. Dr. Björn Vollan

Internships: please look for an individual contact person at the Department of Geography or the Department of Business and Economics

FAQs on the Master Sustainable Development

The collection of frequently asked questions listed here is a compilation of questions that students on the M.Sc. Sustainable Development programme may typically have in the course of their studies. The list of frequently asked questions will be continuously expanded.

Modules and Registration

How do I register for courses?

As soon as you are enrolled at the Philipps-Universität Marburg and have thus received a matriculation number (“Matrikelnummer”) and a unique identifier incl. e-mail address, you can register for the courses online in MARVIN during the respective registration periods at https://marvin.uni-marburg.de/qisserver/pages/cs/sys/portal/hisinoneStartPage.faces

Video tutorials on how to register for courses in MARVIN can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwSg6CIaOXo&list=PLLmr_XhQwwKMHDUj2vbrcz6uJjkMJBv9B&index=4

and here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBqZFxSI6xI&list=PLLmr_XhQwwKMHDUj2vbrcz6uJjkMJBv9B&index=5

Important: you also need to register for course-work (“Studienleistungen”) and exams (“Prüfungsleistungen”), once the seminar has started. You will be informed about the registration period in the respective courses.
When are courses open for registration?

You can find the current registration periods for courses here:

for courses from the Department of Geography: https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/fb19/studium/pruefungsbuero (subitem "Vorlesungsverzeichnis/Veranstaltungsanmeldung...")

for courses from the Department of Business and Economics: https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/fb02/studium/kalender
Do I have to take courses as listed in the plan?

No, you are free to design your course programme according to your needs and interests. However, we recommend to start with the modules foreseen for the first semester. For graduating, you’ll need to have passed the required number of modules, both compulsory and elective.
Which modules will be offered and when?

The courses that can be credited for the respective modules follow a certain rhythm with courses offered regularly. Please, find more information in the table attached.
There is no entry on this course in MARVIN. What does it mean?

This means that the specific module is not on offer for this term, but will be available in later terms.
What does the module Key Qualification mean?

With the Key Qualifications module, students have the opportunity to acquire interdisciplinary or competences in their potential occupational field. For this purpose, students can take courses at Philipps-Universität with very different content depending on their own interests. Student engagement in the area of university self-administration, especially in the context of sustainable development, to the extent of 180 hours, for example, can also be individually recognised as a "Key Qualifications" module.
What happens if I fail a module?

Each module ends with an examination. This examination can be repeated twice, i.e. for each module students have a maximum of three examination attempts. If the third examination attempt is also unsuccessful, the module is deemed to have been definitively failed. In this case, students have the opportunity to change a module definitively failed once during their studies. However, this option only applies to modules in the elective (and compulsory elective) area and not to compulsory modules.
Can I study longer than four semesters?

There will be no sanctions from the university in case you are taking longer to complete your programme. However, you should account for visa or financial restrictions if applicable.
Can I complete more modules than required?

Within the study programme "Sustainable Development" you can only take a total of 120 credit points, and only within the framework provided by the study and examination regulations. Beyond that, you can take and successfully complete as many courses as you like if you are admitted. Admission depends on the lecturer and available places. Additional courses are not part of the study programme and do not enter the standard transcript.
I was not able to register for courses on time and/or I am not able to arrive at Marburg on time for the start of lectures. What should I do?

If you were not able to register for courses on time and/or cannot be in Marburg on time for the start of lectures, please contact the instructors of those courses you want to take in the respective semester by e-mail as soon as possible. Please describe your situation precisely and ask the instructors to still include you in the course. Please also ask the teachers whether you can be provided with course materials and/or course documentation despite not being present in Marburg, so that you can review the course material.

Internship

Is the internship compulsory?

No, it is part of the electives track of the Sustainable Development programme. That means you may complete an internship - or you chose other modules to receive your credits (18 in total for electives).
Are there requirements regarding the content of my internship?

The internship should be related to the study programme, hence, should deal with issues related to sustainable development. Within this field, you are free to choose a placement, with NGOs, businesses and consultancies, administrative, research institutions or other potential employers. To be sure, you should discuss with your internship supervisor whether the internship is appropriate. You are free to choose an internship supervisor either at the Department of Geography or at the Department of Business and Economics.
How long should the internship be?

There are two options: a "small" internship requires 4 weeks /140 hours of work in total and counts for 6 LP; the “large” version doubles these numbers (8 weeks / 280 hours in total / 12 credits). If your internship is part-time, the total number of working hours is relevant.
When should I complete my internship?

There is no requirement as to the timing of your internship. However, we recommend completing a full-time internship outside the teaching period.
How does the supervision for internships work?

The process is straightforward. If you have chosen an internship that interests you, first clarify with your chosen internship supervisor whether the internship is recognised as an internship within the framework of your studies. Then, after completing your internship you submit your internship report to your supervisor. The supervisor will then forward the respective form (https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/fb19/studium/pruefungsbuero/formulare/dateien/msc/proof-of-internship-internship-evaluation-msc-sd.pdf) and you will receive your credits. There is no MARVIN registration necessary for the modules Internship Small or Internship Medium.
Can I receive a proof that my internship is accepted (i.e. for visa requirement with internships abroad)?

If you require an internship confirmation from the university, your or your supervisor can forward this form (https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/fb19/studium/pruefungsbuero/formulare/dateien/msc/confirmation-internship-msc-sd.pdf) to the Examination Office (E-mail address: pruef19@geo.uni-marburg.de) which will sign the form and give it to you. This confirmation may be useful if you are a non-EU student and to complete your internship abroad, or if you are working alongside your studies.

Study abroad

When should I spend a semester abroad and when should I start preparing?

We recommend the third semester for a potential stay abroad. That means you should start preparing right in the first semester.
How do I find a suitable university abroad?

Please, browse our partner universities individually. You may find a list of European partner universities here https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/fb19/studium/erasmus/partneruniversitaeten and here https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/fb02/studying/international-programmes

There are also partnerships with non-European partner universities: https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/international/profil/hochschul-kooperationen/partnerunis-weltweit
How do I apply for studying abroad?

For the application to study abroad, please see the following links for the necessary information:
https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/fb19/studium/erasmus

https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/international/going-abroad
Is there funding for studying abroad?

You can find information on the possibilities for financing a stay abroad here:
https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/international/going-abroad

https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/international/ins-ausland/studierende/finanzierung

MA thesis and colloquium

On what topic should I write my Master Thesis?

In your Master Thesis you are to work autonomously on a topic from the field of sustainable development, applying scientific concepts and methods you have encountered throughout the programme. In practice, you can either develop a topic from your own interest or ask your potential supervisor for a potential topic.
How do I find a supervisor for my Master Thesis?

You can choose a supervisor to work with and develop your topic with them. Members of teaching staff are eligible as supervisors, as are researchers with a completed PhD. We recommend looking out for disciplinary and methodological fit. It might make sense contacting potential supervisors early, so they can plan their resources.
How much time do I have for working on my Master Thesis?

Admission to the Master's thesis requires that at least 60 credit points have been previously acquired. As soon as you have officially registered the Master's thesis by using this form, you have 6 months to complete your Master Thesis. Therefore, the Master Thesis values as 30 credits. If you encounter issues, i.e. regarding unforeseen problems with field-work/data procurement, this period can be extended for up to 20% upon justified application by the candidate.
Which language should I use in my Master Thesis?

The Master Thesis should be written in English. If you wish to write in another language you should seek agreement with your supervisor. You will also need confirmation from the Examination Committee (“Prüfungsausschuss”).
What is the Interdisciplinary Colloquium?

The interdisciplinary colloquium is supposed to accompany you when writing your Master Thesis (4th semester). The idea is that students present their thesis in an advanced stadium (in the analytical phase). So, you may enrol for the colloquium when you are already working on your thesis, or start working on it. Beside presenting the approach of their project, student are to act as a discussant to one presentation.
Are there PhD opportunities available?

As of now, there is no structured PhD programme in the field of sustainable development in Marburg, and most PhD students are working on externally funded projects or are funded by a scholarship. The best approach is to signal your interest in pursuing a PhD to your supervisor. They will inform you about capacities and options for funding.

Other support

I need social, psychological, other support. Where can I turn to?

For all personal conflicts, e.g. study problems, difficulties learning and working, exam phobia, family or partnership conflicts, you can seek counselling at the Psychotherapy Counselling Center for Students (German abbreviation “PBS”) from experienced employees from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Philipps-Universität Marburg:
https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying/services/contact/psychotherapy-counseling

If you need information on German or Hessian higher education law, on legal aspects of admission and enrolment or general advice on legal issues, the Legal Advice and Complaints Office is the place to go. You will also find support there if you have any comments or feedback about the university:
https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/studium/service/rechtsberatung

For students with disabilities, the Service Centre for Disabled Students provides information:
https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/studium/service/sbs

The Social Counseling of the Studentenwerk Marburg also offers advice and provides support for students in special life situations. It offers information and advice on the general conditions of studying, e.g. on the topics of study financing, social insurance, part-time jobs, housing situation, tuition fees, benefits, personal problems. The counseling service is free of charge and confidential. You can find more information here:
https://studierendenwerk-marburg.de/beratung-betreuung/sozialberatung/

The General Student Committee (AStA) also offers social counselling, both in general and in the case of acute difficulties or special life situations (e.g. studying with a child, problems with employment law at work, financing options and special risks for international students). More information can be found here:
https://www.asta-marburg.de/service/sozialberatung/

General information on counselling services for international students can be found here:
https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/studium/service/beratung-internationale