Requirements for a Dijon degree program

The most important requirement to succeed in a degree program at the French partner university is sufficient language proficiency in French. Language proficiency can usually be demonstrated by having had at least 5 years of French in school, which was completed with a minimum grade of “sufficient,” or 5 points. Accepted alternatives are a higher education entrance qualification from a French-language school, the French baccalauréat, or the Abi-Bac (simultaneous achievement of the German Abitur (Abi) and the French baccalauréat (Bac)).

The Dijon course of studies is right for you if you are excited about the opportunity to spend half of your time studying in France and getting to know the country, people, and culture better. Additionally, if you enjoy new experiences, are enthusiastic about the French language, and have the courage to show initiative and self-organize, you have everything you need for this course of study.

Requirements for English

A language entrance test is required for some of the course types such as introductory seminars and regular seminars. You must pass this test in order to attend these courses. Passing the exam, however, is not a requirement for being admitted to the degree program!

Instead of the language entrance test, you can also document your English proficiency with other official language certificates.

Find out more about the practical language entrance test

In order to succeed in your studies, you need:

• a profound interest in the English language, literature, and cultures of the English-speaking world, especially those of the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and Canada
• the ability to work independently, as well as resilience and a love of learning – if you do not possess a profound interest in developing your knowledge of different fields via intensive reading, as well as a passion for working with abstract concepts, this degree program is not for you
• an affinity for the teaching profession demonstrated by professional competency in, engagement with, and a passion for your chosen subject
• social skills like empathy, the ability to handle criticism, a strong sense of responsibility, as well as enthusiasm for continuous interactions with young people

The degree program in Dijon is completed as a part of the Bachelor’s of Education (teacher education for Gymnasium) degree program. In addition to Education Studies, this degree program always covers two teaching subjects. You can choose your subjects according to your interests and professional goals. One of your subjects must be French (either as your first or second teaching subject). Please note our information on subject combinations . You will obtain your Licence in your first teaching subject. You can receive further information from the Dijon Office at JGU.

As a student in the Dijon program, you will spend half of your studies abroad. You will complete any local examinations under the same conditions as the local students. The other half of your studies will be spent at JGU.

Program structure

1st–2nd semesters:

• Introduction to the three fundamental areas of the English program of study:
  linguistics, literature, and subject didactics
• Reinforcement of language skills, such as oral and written expression, as well as German-English translation
• Introduction into the cultural backgrounds of the United Kingdom and the United States as part of the “cultural studies” curriculum

3rd–5th semesters (at the partner university):

• Expanding your knowledge of scientific discourse and methods in introductory seminars on linguistics and literature
• Acquisition of teaching skills in the areas of language, literature and culture

6th semester:

• In-depth engagement with the subject areas of linguistics and literature, particularly that of British and American literature in more specialized bachelor’s seminars

Stays abroad

After you spend the first two semesters in Mainz, you will spend the following three semesters (3rd–5th semester) at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon. You will immerse yourself in the language and culture of France and learn how to “think in French.” Thanks to a variety of funding programs such as Erasmus+ and the Franco-German University, you may be able to receive financial support during your stay abroad. You have the opportunity to spend the 5th semester in a third country: at our Canadian partner university Université de Sherbrooke. This semester is integrated into the German-French program of study.

Internships

In the Bachelor of Education program, you will complete three 3-week internships and experience different types of schools firsthand.  In the German-French degree program, you will complete one of these internships in a francophone country.

This practical experience will complement your theoretical training, help you practice your pedagogical skills in the classroom, and give you direction for your future career.

For more information, please visit the website for school internships provided by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Students interested in completing additional voluntary internships – including those in other professional fields – can find more information on the Career Service website.

The Mainz-Dijon teacher education degree prepares you – and is a prerequisite – for teaching in secondary schools in both countries. To work in the teaching profession later on, you must also complete the Master of Education and/or the French master’s degree MEEF (Métiers de l’enseignement, de l’éducation et de la formation) after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. This is followed by a teacher traineeship (Referendariat). The master’s degree and teacher traineeship can be completed within the German-French program, but you may also choose to continue studying exclusively in Germany (or France).

However, you are not restricted solely to classroom teaching after completing the teacher education program. As a graduate of the teacher education degree program, you can also work in a variety of professional fields beyond school. Thanks to your international degree, you will have no problems entering the global job market. Thanks to the program’s focus on both practical and international applicability, you will acquire specific knowledge and skills that will enable you to pursue a career in both academic and non-academic professional fields.

This degree program allows you to go on to study any English-related master’s degree (at JGU, this includes the MA in English Literature and Culture, the MA in American Studies, the MA/Research master’s in American Studies/Études Anglophones, the MA in Linguistics with a focus on English Linguistics, the MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies with focus on English Studies, or the MA in Digital Humanities in the Cultural Sciences and Humanities). In France, the Licence Anglais gives you access to French master’s degree programs.

After a completing a master’s degree in English, some of the most common professional fields to go into include:

• German-French/European institutions
• Academia (e.g., university, college, research institutes, project work)
• Social organizations (associations and clubs)
• Educational institutions (adult education, libraries, archives, and documentary work)
• Press and public relations

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.