Studentinnen recherchieren in ihren Büchern

Human Geography

How are societies organized from a territorial perspective? What are the effects of globalization? And what trends can be seen in towns and cities? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
students do research in their books
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
Key facts
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
no NC
Supplement to degree
minor in a multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
60
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 256,48
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Find your application procedure

Content of the study programme

The large white letters in the hills of Los Angeles have become the internationally recognized trademark for the centre of cinematography. ‘Hollywood’ is actually the name of an LA neighbourhood, but it has become synonymous with the entire film industry. The place has acquired symbolic meaning over the course of the decades. This is just one of the phenomena studied in greater detail by human geographers. In addition to the conception and meaning of spaces, this branch of geography focuses on territorial organization and the relationship between society and the environment.

What will life be like in the cities of tomorrow? What effects does global change have on regional development? And how does space affect the way we live together and do business? Human geographers describe, analyse and interpret processes and changes, as well as developing new strategies and plans for the future. Other important areas of human geography include modern-day buzzwords, such as urban research, migration and economic change.

If you study ‘Human Geography’ at the University of Jena, you will spend some of your time outdoors and conduct your own studies on various selected topics. The study programme also includes courses in the fields of ‘Geoinformatics and Earth Observation’, allowing you to create digital maps and present your results in a user-friendly manner.

Structure

minor subject Graphic: Sophie Bartholome (Universität Jena)

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 exercises) are offered for the individual modules.

If you take a single-subject bachelor’s programme in ‘Human 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).

‘Human Geography’ is a minor subject that can be combined with all major subjects at the University of Jena.

The study programme comprises two fields: ‘Human Geography’ and ‘Cartography / Geoinformatics’. The minor subject is made up of six compulsory modules (40 ECTS) and four required elective modules (20 ECTS).

How might your study programme shape up?

The following table shows the possible structure of your course with ‘Human Geography’ as your minor subject: 

Semester Human Geography Cartography / Geoinformatics
1st Compulsory module:
Introduction to Economic and Social Geography (10 ECTS)		 Required elective module:
Cartography (5 ECTS)
2nd Compulsory module:
Introduction to Applied Remote Sensing (5 ECTS)
3rd Compulsory module:
Firms and Regions (5 ECTS		 Compulsory module:
Introduction to Geographic Information Science (5 ECTS)
4th Required elective module:
Theories of Space (5 ECTS)
or
Globalization and Transnationalization (5 ECTS)		 Required elective module: Geoinformation Systems (5 ECTS
5th Compulsory module:
Applied Economic Geography
(5 ECTS)
plus
one required elective module (e.g. Field Research in Human Geography)
(5 ECTS)		  
6th Compulsory module:
Empirical Methods in Human Geography (10 ECTS)		  

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

Other study plans [in German] can be customized according to the range of courses offered in the major subjects. More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programme [in German].

Why study in Jena?

Behind the scenes

Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Institute of Geography at Löbdergraben 32
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.
Learn more

What can you do after your studies?

Areas of employment for graduates

Your studies will give you the skills needed to examine social, cultural and economic phenomena from a geographical perspective. This additional knowledge is important in a wide range of constantly changing professions, especially in the social sciences. Your career opportunities will largely depend on your major subject. Some of the areas of employment include:

  • urban planning
  • economic development
  • policy advice
  • development cooperation
  • tourism
  • cultural institutions

Downloads and links for the study programme​

What are the personal requirements?

  • basic geographical knowledge
  • the willingness to engage with current social and spatial changes and modern geographic issues.
  • good linguistic expression and reasoning skills
  • analytical thinking skills

Admission requirements

University entrance qualification Show content

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 Show content

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

Subject-specific academic advisory service — Dr Susann Schäfer
Löbdergraben 32
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
Phone
+49 3641 9-48834
Fax
+49 3641 9-48832
susann.schaefer@uni-jena.de
Opening hours:
by arrangement
Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations
Carl-Zeiß-Platz 1
07743 Jena
Phone
+49 3641 9-411999
ASPA@uni-jena.de
More information
Opening hours:
Due to the current pandemic situation, the ASPA remains closed.

Please contact us by phone or via our ticket system.

Telephone consultation hours:
Mon, Wed and Fri 9:00 to 11:00

The ASPA is mainly responsible for students at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Theology.
Central Student Advisory Service
University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
Phone
+49 3641 9-411111
zsb@uni-jena.de
More information
Opening hours:
The Central Student Advisory Service does not offer personal services at the moment.

Consultations can also take place via phone.

Please send us an email and we will call you back (German phone numbers only).
Student Service Centre
University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
Phone
+49 3641 9-411111
Fax
+49 3641 9-411112
studium@uni-jena.de
More information
Opening hours:
The service counter and the thoska Office in the Student Service Centre (SSZ) are closed until further notice.

We currently provide advice and handle your concern solely via phone, email and mail.

You can reach us by phone
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 11:00
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena
International Office - Stay abroad
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site plan
outgoing@uni-jena.de

Additional services

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