Welcome to the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn

The Faculty of Theology in Paderborn is the oldest university in Westphalia. With 15 professorial chairs and an intensive guidance of its students, it provides an outstanding learning environment, particularly for foreign students. The Faculty is located in the historic centre of Paderborn, a city which lives in continuity with its Christian roots while at the same time being among the scientific and economic leaders of its region.

The course of studies of theology, directed towards the internationally established degree of Magister Theologiae (10 semesters), distinguishes itself through a special emphasis on the field of philosophy.

For postgraduates, the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn offers the possibility of acquiring a licentiate, doctorate and post-doctoral lecture certification (Habilitation) in Catholic theology. The Faculty includes two chairs of philosophy specializing in the history of philosophy and in systematic philosophy. Three libraries, each with an excellent collection of books, make an intense and productive course of studies possible.

The formation students receive at the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn enables them to reflect upon the Christian faith in an academic manner and justify it in terms of theology and philosophy.

The city of Paderborn

With a population of almost 150.000 inhabitants, Paderborn is a middle-large city with several opportunities, where you quickly orientate yourself. Paderborn offers many shopping possibilities, e.g. in the town centre, in the “Südring Center” (shopping mall), and there are different foreign food markets (e.g. asian, south- and eastern european, turkish). Apart from student pubs, bars and bistros Paderborn offers a wide range of leisure time activities, e.g. art galleries, cinemas, museums, theaters, music events or sports events. Nevertheless the cost of living in Paderborn is comparatively reasonable.

Academics (Your study visit)

At the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn no tuition fees are to be paid, just a students fee (AStA-Beitrag) each semester, which includes the semester ticket. By this ticket, that costs currently about 230 Euros per semester, you can use all busses and regional trains in Paderborn and other public transport (e.g. trams, subways) in the entire Northrhine-Westphalia for free (so you may visit cities such as Münster, Dortmund, Köln or Bonn).

Please note: Health insurance is an absolutely requirement for all students in order to enroll and study in Germany. You must show, that you have a valid health insurance for the duration of your study visit in Paderborn.

• Students from EU member states, who are already insured in their home country, need no additional insurance in Germany (to prove that you are insured sufficiently for your study visit, please bring your certificate of health insurance or the European Health Insurance Card with you).

• Students from Non-EU member states first need a visa for Germany and second have to take out an additional German public or private health insurance (travel insurances are unfortunately not sufficient).

In addition to the adequate health insurance a liability insurance is recommended to all students, just as to open a German bank account while your stay in Paderborn.

If you are interested in a study visit at the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn, you should contact the Erasmus coordinator at your home university. To get an official nomination both universities have to agree on an individual exchange proceeding. Therefore some time is needed to organize your study visit.

Nomination/application deadlines:

• May 1^st for the winter Semester

• November 1^st for the summer semester

After successful application you will receive a letter of acceptance.

For your Learning Agreement you choose your courses with your home university and the Erasmus+ advisor of the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn. For further information about courses/modules and ECTS-credits please check the module compendium (Modulhandbuch), for current courses see the course catalogue (Vorlesungsverzeichnis). If the future course cataloge is not available, you should orientate yourself by the schedule (Studienverlaufsplan) and the module overview (Modulübersicht – Lehrveranstaltungen).

Regularly there are no special registration forms needed for any course. If you want to participate, you should meet the lecturer at the first session. You are agreed immediately or later on possible individual examinations.

As soon as all your studies and exams at the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn have been confirmed, your Transcript of Records will be issued and later send to your home address.

German language courses

The Faculty of Theology in Paderborn does not offer any German language courses, but helps students to get in these courses organized by the University of Paderborn.

At the University of Paderborn you have many different options to improve your German language skills. The courses at a variety of levels can be chosen as a crash course (some weeks before the lecture period) or a regular course within the semester (new start every quarter). For more information see the homepage of the University of Paderborn.

Please note the online-language offer within the Erasmus+ programme. Your home university can give you further information about this special opportunity to learn German before your stay in Paderborn.

Contact and guidance

Your first and most important contact person at the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn before and during your stay is the Advisor for the Erasmus+ programme. From him you get every important information about your study, e.g. about the application, the Learning Agreement, the Transcript of Records. By him you get also guidance and help at the beginning of your visit with the necessary formalities in Paderborn and to get familiar with the city and the Faculty of Theology in Paderborn.

So please do not hesitate to direct all questions about your study visit (as an incoming exchange student) to

Dr. theol. Gerhard Franke M.A.
Advisor for the Erasmus+ Programme
Fon: +49 (0) 5251 121 737
Fax: +49 (0) 5251 121 700
E-Mail: g.franke@thf-paderborn.de

Office hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8.30 - 15.00
appointments by arrangement