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Are you interested in studying as an exchange student?

Globus und Schloss in Marburg — Sofie Hirschmüller

Here you will find information on content-related questions regarding your semester. Since exchange students can choose their courses from any of the degree programs offered at the Department 03, they benefit from our diverse selection and have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with research topics in different disciplines. This gives you the opportunity to structure your stay in Marburg according to your academic interests.

We hope that your stay with us will turn into a personal success for you, and we wish to support you in your efforts as much as possible. Some useful information has been compiled in the Frequently Asked Questions sections below. Please also read our brochure "Getting to know the Department" which contains helpful contact information and details on how to organize your semester at our university. You can find the brochure under Downloads.

When does the semester start?

Winter semester: October 1st to March 31st, classes from mid-October to mid-February

Summer semester: April 1st to September 30th, classes from mid-April to mid-July
For details regarding deadlines, holidays, etc., go to the academic calendar of the Philipps-Universität Marburg. We recommend that you participate in one of the orientation events, which are organized by the International Office of the Philipps-Universität Marburg.

Apart from that we strongly recommend to participate in the Buddy Program that is offered on a regular basis by the Department.
What language skills do I need to be able to study at the Department 03?

For a successfull exchange semester at the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, you should be able to demonstrate a B2 skill level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in German or English. It has been our experience that students with a lower level have great difficulty in following the classes and meeting the requirements. You are required to upload your proof of adequate language skills as part of your application process via Mobility Online.
Many classes at the Department are taught on the basis of literature in English even if German is the language of instruction. It is therefore important that you have adequate English language skills. If you are not sure whether your language skills are adequate, ask your instructor at the beginning of the semester to find out how much literature in English will be used. Language skills in Spanish or French may be helpful for some of the coursework with a corresponding regional focus. Taking a look at the classes offered at our language center may also be of help. If you have basic language skills, the language center may be able to match you up with a language exchange partner. Maybe you will even be able to find someone who also studies at the Department 03.
Where do I find the course catalogue and the courses offered in English?

You can access the complete directory of classes via MARVIN. See What is MARVIN? on the universities Youtube-Channel. Please remember that the course catalogue for the semester is available on August 1 for the following winter semester and on March 1 for the following summer semester.

Courses that are taught in English change every semester. If the course catalogue has not been published yet, we recommend consulting the catalogue from the previous semester to get an overview of the topics and fields that are offered. You can find a list of the courses taught in English each semester in the Download section on this website.

To find courses that are taught in English in the course catalogue, please click on the + symbol, before "Department 03 Social Sciences and Philosophy" and click on "Exchange Students (ERASMUS & Overseas Incoming)". We recommend that you enroll in the class "Current aspects of Germany and Europe" and the tutorial, which will introduce you to the academic requirements at a German university and gives you an overview of the different disciplines and research approaches at the Department.

Please note: We are offering english taught modules for exchange students. They will be awarded with 6 or 12 ECTS respectively.

Find information on all eligible modules in german here.
How do I know which courses will be in presence and which ones will be online?

If you go to the tab "Parallel Groups/Dates" for a course in MARVIN, you will see an indication on the right under "Room" (e.g. +2/0010 Audimax) if the course takes place in presence. If you do not find any information there, the event will take place digitally. The information will also be added to the course comments.
Can I enroll in courses at other departments?

If you wish to enroll in courses at other departments, please contact the respective departmental coordinator first. He*She will gladly make some recommendations. For contact information for the departmental coordinator, go to Downloads. Popular combinations are, for example, courses at the Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS), the Center for Gender Studies and Feminist Future Research or the Department of Economics. Please take advantage of our advisory services to find out which combinations make the most sense for your individual profile.

Please check the section "Marburg International Exchange MIX" in Marvin for your options to take courses at different departments.
How many ECTS points will I get for a course?

Credits will be awarded for modules only. We are offering english taught modules for exchange students. They will be awarded with 6 or 12 ECTS respectively. If you have good german skills find information on all eligible modules here.
What is the "Belegliste" (list of courses)? How do I get my transcript of records?

Please find all information on the Belegliste here.
When are the examinations?

At the Department 03, examinations can be taken in the form of oral presentations and written papers, depending on the course. However, not all forms of examinations are offered for each course. The examination form that your instructor offers is announced during the first week of the course.
For some Helpful Hints about the most frequently used examination forms in Department 03, go to Downloads. Please inform your instructors that you are an exchange student (e.g. Erasmus+). Written examination results must be submitted at the Department 03 by March 15 for the winter semester and by September 15 for the summer semester. Please coordinate with your instructor if you need your grades earlier. We will be happy to help you with any questions and concerns regarding examination matters that you may have.
How do I register for courses and exams?

You can register for courses / modules via ILIAS. Registration is mandatory for all exchange and freemover students. Find further information here. After entering your data on the ILIAS group for incoming exchange students it will take some time to transmit your registrations to Marvin. However, feel free to join the classes even without being registered in Marvin, as long as your registration has been marked as "successful".

Please note that the procedure might be different at other departments of Philipps-Universität as well as at the language center.
What do I have to do if I want to drop a course during the add-drop-period?

Sign in to the ILIAS group for 'incoming exchange students' and change your selection of courses. However, your enrollment on Marvin might persist even after that. This does not have any effects on your final Transcript of Records. Please remember to add all changes to your Learning Agreement, too.
Who signs my Learning Agreement/Changes?

Markus Weber is responsible for checking and signing your Learning Agreement.

Note: The Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy is mourning the death of our dear colleague Markus Weber († 12.3.2023). For current Learning Agreements please contact Dr. Ulrike Bieker.
What is the tutorial for international students?

The tutorial offers support for international students during the semester. It is linked to the seminar „Current Aspects of Germany and Europe“ (Bieker), but please don't hesitate to contact us at tutorial03@uni-marburg.de if you did not enrol to this seminar but would like to attend the tutorial. Our aim is to deepen selected contents of the seminar. In addition, the tutorial focuses on learning skills and scientific writing. You will practice and improve your academic skills in various interactive exercises on certain aspects of the research process. Depending on your interests and needs, we will discuss questions such as how to deal with scientific literature, what makes a good research question and how to communicate your research results, etc.
The tutorial is also a chance to address open questions and uncertainties of all kinds, e.g. concerning the selection and registration of courses, or other rather practical problems concerning your stay here.