What is faith? Can God allow evil and suffering and still be just? Should creation be ruled or merely preserved by mankind? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
View of the church steeple in Jena
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Do you like to think about God and ‘the bigger picture’? The extremely diverse study of theology lets you do exactly that, as it is more comprehensive and exciting than most academic disciplines.
A large part of the course focuses on historical issues, such as the history of Christianity from its Judaic roots to the present day and the modern-day challenges involved in the practice of faith.
You will need good language skills—and not only for your sermons if you decide to pursue a career as a pastor. After all, your studies will involve Old and New Testament passages in their original language, as well as the history of the biblical tradition, the historical reality of the world’s religions and the contemporary practice and structure of churches.
Now I realise how varied church-related content can be.
The study of Protestant Theology is structured into a basic course with 120 credits (ECTS for short; 1 ECTS = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations), a main course with 120 ECTS and an integration period with 60 ECTS.
Proficiency in Hebrew, Ancient Greek and Latin is mandatory for students. But don’t worry! If you have not learned the languages before university, you can generally acquire the required knowledge during your first four semesters with our young and dedicated language teachers. But don’t underestimate the workload, especially at the start of your studies. You will need to work hard and stick at it! However, students are granted an extension in their basic course of one semester each for Ancient Greek and Hebrew.
The focus of the main course is on deepening your knowledge (in a choice of specialist areas) and developing critical thinking skills.
The basic course lasts four semesters (plus any additional language semesters for Latin, Hebrew and Ancient Greek). You can set your focus and even attend elective courses from other study programmes.
Study content:
The four-week internship is ideally completed during the lecture-free period between the final semester of the basic course and the first semester of the main course. We will be happy to help you find a (specialist) internship.
An intermediate examination is taken at the end of the basic course.
More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programmepdf, 225 kb · de.
The aim of the main course is to become specialized in certain areas within four to six semesters.
More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programmepdf, 225 kb · de.
The two-semester integration period comes right at the end of the course, including the exam preparation and the individual components of the final examination.
More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programmepdf, 225 kb · de.
Before starting university, everyone has certain fears and wonders what it will really be like at the university. In this video, you can find out how our students look back on the time before and at the beginning of their studies.
Screenshot: Sophie BartholomeYour studies will fully immerse you in foreign cultures, eras, languages and reasoning in small seminar groups. Some of your classes may be held outside in summer, such as here at the Frommannscher Garten in Jena.
Areas of employment for graduates
Gottesdienst in der Jenaer Stadtkirche St. Michael
Image: Jürgen Scheere (University of Jena)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.
The study programme is taught in German. You must therefore have a very good command of German at the start of the study programme.
You will require knowledge of Latin, Ancient Greek and Hebrew to study theology. If you do not have the necessary language skills at the start of your programme, you can learn the languages at the Faculty of Theology during your studies (except German—see above).
Please submit an up-to-date and complete CV in tabular form. Please provide full details regarding your schooling and academic education to date. You can find more information hereExternal link.
Please upload the school certificate confirming your university entrance qualification to our application portal. You can find more information hereExternal link.
Please upload transcripts of records for all previous periods of study and degrees, as well as, if applicable, your degree certificate, to the portal.
Proof of sufficient German proficiency must be provided for all German-language degree programmes. The following certificates are recognized as proof of proficiency by Friedrich Schiller University Jena:
Please note: We strongly recommend that you submit the required proof of German proficiency at the time of your application.
If you do not yet have the required language certificate, you may apply for our DSH course starting from German level B1. This course ensures optimal language preparation and also gives you the opportunity to get to know Jena while benefiting from student status.
A translation into German or English must be submitted for every application document that was not originally issued in German or English. These translations must be prepared by an authorized translation office.
Applicants with university degrees from India, Vietnam, or the People’s Republic of China must submit an APS certificate.
Applicants from the following countries must provide proof of their university entrance examination:
Room 108
Fürstengraben 6
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Fürstengraben 6
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Office hours:
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
University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Opening hours:
Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
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
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
