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 the subject of Philosophy

Much of the specialist literature is written in English. Therefore, your English should be good enough to read and understand these original texts. English is the recognized language of science for the subject, but you do not have to provide proof of your English skills before or during your studies.

If you have a good command of a second foreign language and Ancient Greek or Latin, this would allow you to understand ancient and medieval texts in their original language. You can take Ancient Greek and Latin courses during your studies. You should have a good grasp of the German language, both written and spoken, and be able to read and understand older forms of the language. You should also enjoy reading and composing texts and have a solid understanding of how to structure arguments in both written and spoken language.

The Dijon program always consists of two subjects (an academic major and a minor), which you can combine to suit your interests or career goals. One of your two subjects must be French (either as your major or your minor). You will obtain your Licence in your academic major. Further information can be found at 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.

One of the characteristics of Philosophy as part of the Dijon program is the broad coverage of the history of philosophy as well as the analysis of theories and positions. In France, you will study Histoire de la philosophie,Philosophie morale et politique, Philosophie générale, Métaphysique, History of Philosophy, and the works of specific authors. In Germany, the focus will be on the analysis of specific topics, taking various philosophers and eras into account.

Course sequence

First to third semesters:

• Scientific fundamentals
• Historical and systematic overview of the subject,
  including the history of philosophy (ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy, modern philosophy)

Fourth to sixth semesters:

• Presentation of in-depth philosophical topics by focusing on specific philosophers and their writings
  These include:
  • Practical Philosophy (ethics, anthropology, philosophy of religion, applied philosophy)
  • Theoretical Philosophy I (metaphysics, epistemology, logic, philosophy of language)
  • Theoretical Philosophy II (philosophy of science, philosophy of mind)

Specializations

During your bachelor’s degree, you will specialize in one of the following areas:

• Ancient Philosophy
• Medieval Philosophy
• Modern Philosophy
• Theoretical Philosophy I
• Theoretical Philosophy II
• Practical Philosophy

Stays abroad

After you have completed the first two semesters in Mainz, you will spend the three following semesters (3rd−5th semesters) 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, it is possible to receive financial support during your stay abroad.

If you start your degree course in the winter semester, you must study abroad during the third, fourth, and fifth semesters. You can also start your degree program in the summer semester. Due to the structure of the French academic year, your degree will take an additional semester to complete if you start in the summer semester. Your stay abroad would then take place in the fourth, fifth and sixth semesters.

Internships

In this program, the completion of a four-week internship in France is mandatory.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

Since you will graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and a licence, you will have no problems entering the international job market and working in both France and Germany in one of the professional fields mentioned below.

Through the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy program’s practical and international focus, you will acquire specific knowledge and skills which will allow you to pursue a career in both academic and non-academic professional fields. These skills include:

• Language skills
• Analytical skills
• Interpretive skills
• Public speaking skills
• Action competence
• Leadership skills
• Foreign language skills

This degree certifies not only your historical and systematic knowledge of the subject of Philosophy, but also the necessary methodical, performative, and interdisciplinary competencies of a philosopher.

Possible professional fields:

• German-French or European institutions
• Research (e.g., university, higher education institutions, research institutions, projects)
• Social organizations (educational institutions, associations, and clubs)
• Public services and administration (e.g., specialist consultant, public relations)
• Advertising, media and publishing
• Education and culture (e.g., cultural institutions, private and public educational institutions, adult education, libraries, archives, documentaries)
• Business (e.g., consultancy, marketing)
• Purchasing and materials management, human resources, corporate training, media 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.