Incredible. Couldn't have asked for a better year. There is so much that I have learned, not just in the classroom, but in social situations and through traveling, that has expanded my language, cultural, and social skills more than I thought was possible. Could not recommend this program highly enough for others studying or looking to study German.
Tübingen, Germany
Tübingen is a small university city, situated on the Neckar River, in the Baden-Württemberg region of southwest Germany. Centrally located within Europe and with a population of about 90,000—approximately 28,000 of which are students from Germany and abroad—Tübingen is recognized for its international culture and environmentalism. It is also home to Cyber Valley, Europe’s largest consortium in the field of artificial intelligence. Tübingen combines the energy of a vibrant cosmopolitan university city with the views of a picturesque medieval town.
Tufts in Tübingen invites you to experience this unique university town, while enrolling in courses alongside German and international students at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. This program is open to both Tufts and non-Tufts applicants.
| Terms | Spring, Full Year |
|---|---|
| Language Prerequisites | German 4, or the equivalent of two years of college-level German |
| GPA Requirement | 3.0 |
| Host University | Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen |
| Language of Instruction | German |
| Internship Option | Yes |
| Housing | Student Residence |
Academics
Most courses at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen are conducted in German, with a limited selection of courses offered in English. Students are fully integrated into the German university system and typically enroll in four or five courses. Although not required, most students take at least one of their courses in the Department of German as a Foreign Language. German tutors are available upon request.
Students interested in STEM courses should work closely with their academic advisors and the program director as it is often not possible to fulfill core requirements.
Be sure to review our academic policies for education abroad and plan accordingly with your academic advisor(s).
Prerequisites
This program is open to Tufts and non-Tufts undergraduate juniors and seniors who meet the general eligibility requirements and who have successfully completed at least two years of college-level German. Students from all academic majors are encouraged to apply.
Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
The Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, founded in 1477, is a public research university that consistently ranks among the top universities in Germany and in the world. It offers a large selection of courses with more than 280 majors and minors represented at the undergraduate and doctoral levels.
Some of the most popular areas of study among Tufts in Tübingen participants include Biology, Computer Science, German language, History, International Relations, Political Science, and Psychology.
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View Current Courses and Faculties
The following course list is representative of courses taken by participants in recent years; not all courses are offered every semester. Refer to the University of Tübingen website for the most current course information.
Archaeology
- Archaeology of the Middle Ages
- Introduction to Scientific Archaeology
Art
- Composition Techniques
- Painting and Collage Techniques
- Sculpture
Art History
- Dutch Painting in the 17th Century
- German Painting: Impressionism and Realism
- War and Art
Biology
- Animal Physiology I
- Microbiology
- Plant Physiology
- Cell Biology with Lab
- General Biochemistry
- Introduction to Immunology
- Environmental Ethics
Comparative Religion
- Introduction to Islam
- Introduction to Qur'an
- Judaism, Christianity, Islam: Festivities in Cultural and Historical Context
- Religion through Film: Islam
- Women in Ecclesiastical History
Computer Sciences
- Hardware Verification in Industry
Economics
- Macroeconomics
- European Integration
- International Monetary Policy
- International Trade Policy
- Open Economy
English
- 20th Century American Culture Through Film
- Censorship in North American History and Culture
- Colonial and Postcolonial African Novels
- English Writing in India/Indian Writing in English
- Introduction to Linguistics
- Modern Britain: Visual Images of the Nations
- The Novel Today: Recent British Fiction
- Topics in Semantics: Plurality
Environmental Studies/Geology
- Environmental Economics
- Environmental Systems
- Ecosystems of the Earth
- Applied Geology
- Applied Geostatistics
- Hydrogeology
- Physical Geography
French
- French Revolution: Politics, Art, and Literature
German Language
- Contemporary Children's Literature in Germany
- Early GDR Literature
- Expressionism
- Foreign Travel from a German Perspective
- Franz Kafka: Narratives
- Germany After the War: Short Stories and Reportage
- German Syntax
- Introduction to German Language and Literature of the Middle Ages
- Introduction to Modern Literary Theory
- Introduction to Linguistics
- Literary Theories from Antiquity to Present
- Literature and World War I
- Literature Under Dictatorship
- Lyric-Epochs: From Realism to Expressionism
- Concept of Violence in Literature, Film, and Computer Games
- The Weimar Republic: Culture and Literature
- Theory of Literature in Historical Perspective
- World Religions in 20th-Century Literature
- Youth and the Avant-garde in 20th-Century Literature
History
- A History of Music Aesthetics
- British Colonies in North America from 1607-1776
- End of WWII: Effect and Aftermath
- Everyday Life in the Late Middle Ages
- Germany in the 20th Century
- Research Seminar: East-European History
- Revolutions in European History
- Society in Nazi Germany
- History of the United States from WWII to the Present
- Stalinism
- Development of Nation-States in Europe in the 19th/20th Century
Math
- Differential Equations
- Number Theory
Philosophy
- Ethical Theory: Principle of Happiness
- Kant: Groundwork for Metaphysics of Morals
- Philosophical Aspects of Modern Physics
- Selected Readings in Platonic Dialectic
Political Science
- Analysis of World Politics
- Democratization in Latin America
- Discourses of Security
- Economy and Development in the Middle East
- Germany in International Relations
- Globalization
- Parties and Party Systems in Europe
- Risk Society
- Seminar: The European Union
- Systemic Competitiveness
- The Conflict in the Middle East
Psychology
- Cooperative Behavior
- Introduction to Personality Psychology
- Memory and Language
- Psychology of Language
Special German Language Courses
- Contemporary German History through Film
- Conversation in German
- Creative Writing in German
- German Vocabulary
- Economic and Legal Terminology in German
- German Culture and Civilization
- German Bestseller
- German Mass media
- Intercultural Communication
- Jews in Germany: Germans and Jews
- Rhetoric and Academic German
- Translation: English to German
Deutsch Kompakt and START Kurs
For students who need an intensive German refresher course, the Center for German as a Foreign Language (AdaF) offers a 5-week Deutsch Kompakt course in September and in March. The cost of the course is included in the cost of the program for full-year students; there will be an additional fee of approximately U.S. $700 for spring-semester students.
A three-week German language refresher course ("START Kurs") offered at the university for students who already possess a strong grasp of German will be subsidized by the program.
Internships
Non-credit internships are available on a limited basis. Potential internship placements include schools (teaching English), the university clinic, government, cultural organizations, and businesses.
Student Life
Orientation
Upon arrival, students participate in a three-day orientation program that covers university policies and procedures, safety and security measures, German culture and society, and student life at a German university. After the program orientation, all students participate in either the Deutsch Kompakt or the START Kurs (see Academics section for details). These courses support previous language training and offer an introduction to the German university system.
Housing and Meals
Students live in a single room in the German Studentenwohnheime (student residences), within halls or suites alongside German and/or other international students. You may eat in student restaurants and/or prepare your own meals in the kitchens in the student residences. Students receive a stipend to cover meals and housing.
Co-Curricular Activities
Students are strongly encouraged to be active in Tübingen’s vibrant and diverse cultural life, including co-curricular activities offered on- and off-campus. In addition to cultural activities like film festivals and live music, Tübingen and the surrounding areas are great for outdoor activities such as crew/rowing, hiking, and biking. Students can also easily get involved in sports on-campus, including quidditch and fencing. Volunteering opportunities are also available.
Intercultural Mentoring: This program is designed to promote intercultural competence and cultural awareness. It includes specially designed workshops held throughout the semester that focus on developing intercultural competence and self-awareness, courses that center around intercultural topics at the university, and language tandem partners.
Cultural Reimbursement Program: Tufts in Tübingen offers reimbursement (at the student rate) for attending events related to German culture in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Examples include theaters, films, museums, exhibitions, and sports events.
Cultural Excursions
Two study trips will be organized, one during the fall semester and one in the spring semester. Additionally, cultural activities and excursions into the surrounding area are organized throughout the semester.
During the Fall semester, students typically spend a week in Jena, where they stay with host families, and take side trips to Leipzig, Erfurt, and Weimar, where they can delve into various aspects of German history and gain insights into contemporary Germany.
In the spring semester, students typically spend a week in Berlin, focusing on the capital’s diversity and exploring its political institutions.
Note that study trips and cultural excursions are subject to change.
A Day in the Life of a Tufts Student in Tübingen
“Tufts in Tübingen alone made coming to Tufts worth it. I had no idea going in that it would be this incredible, but it was far and away the best year of my life.”
—Spring 2022 Participant
"If people are considering this program, they should go. That's it. This was the highlight of my past three years of Tufts. Every single moment.”
—Spring 2022 Participant
Program Staff
The on-site director advises students on academics and co-curricular activities and organizes study tours, events, and cultural excursions.
Ute Link (she/her/hers)
Director, Tufts in Tübingen
Ute Link has been working in International Education for over 25 years. She is a passionate advocate for study abroad and studied and taught at universities in Germany and at Tufts. She earned her Magister Artium (M.A.) in German literature, linguistics, and American studies from University of Tübingen and became director of Tufts in Tübingen in 2001. Ute loves living in Tübingen! She also enjoys traveling and meeting people from all over the world and spends her free time reading, biking, and trying out new recipes for family and friends.
Dates and Fees
2023-2024 Program Fees
Spring Semester: $42,752 ($33,179 tuition plus $9,573 program fee) | Full Year: $85,504 ($66,358 tuition plus $19,146 program fee)
What’s included:
- Orientation program
- Full food and housing (a single room in a student apartment)
- Full tuition and fees at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
- Participation in the Deutsch Kompakt Language Program (covered for full-year students only)
- Tutorials in any course
- Monthly transportation pass
- German health insurance
- Cultural events and day/weekend excursions
- Reimbursement for German cultural activities
What’s not included:
- Airfare and other travel costs (visas, etc.) are not included; student is responsible for these charges.
For more details on Tufts University's Cost of Attendance, please consult Financial Services' Direct and Indirect Costs for Undergraduate Students.
Academic Calendar
The program calendar is based on the German academic terms, and the pre-program language course will determine specific program start dates. Note that dates are approximate and subject to change.
Full Year: early September to late July with a break in February/March
Spring Semester: mid-March to late July