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Academics

American University students have the opportunity to directly enroll in the Universitaet Osnabrueck through their Institute for English and American Studies.  Located in northwest Germany, this public university of 10,000 students offers a wide range of courses in the Sciences and Humanities.  Courses offered by the Institute for English and American Studies are available in English.  Students with advanced German language ability may be able to enroll in courses outside the department that are instructed in German.  Students wishing to take courses instructed in German, should have completed GERM 233 or equivalent and should notify AU Abroad.  

Courses at the Institute for English and American Studies vary each semester, though they encompass unique perspectives on the English language and cultures from a variety of English-speaking countries. Some past courses (called seminars) looked at literature through historical treatises, pamphlets, fiction and non-fiction to trace topics in culture, philosophy, legal issues and literary history and practice. 

A course on "Forging the American Mind" brought together literature, philosophy and cognitive science, while a course on "City Literature of the 21st Century" surveyed changes and the growth of cities, by exploring literature based on urban themes.  According to the professor, since 2007, over half of the world's population lives in urban areas, a phenomenon which impacts literature, language, culture, society and history and these topics are explored in such a course.

The seminars (courses) and other activities offered in English at the Institute are highlighted on their website at:  http://www.blogs.uni-osnabrueck.de/americanstudies/

The Cognitive Science department, which is one of the best in Germany, features innovative interdisciplinary work and collaboration between philosophers, linguists and neuroscientists. Many of the courses taught at Cognitive Science tend to be taught in English, because they attract a large international body of graduate and undergraduate students.  Also, because they have a major research interest in the philosophy of the mind, there are a number of philosophy courses and some are offered in English. Cognitive Science lecture courses (in English and German) are listed here: http://cogsci.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/lectures.

In addition, exchange students may take advantage of the free non-credit German language immersion courses offered at all levels, from beginning to advanced, that are specifically tailored for Uni-Osnabrueck students.

A list of Seminars (courses) offered in German language (and some in English), outside the Institute, may be found here (in German):  http://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/138.php

For students with the minimum German language who want to take one or more courses in German, an evaluative test to determine proficiency levels will be given by the International Student Office. They will then assist students in selecting content courses taught in German.

Student Life

The Universitaet Osnabrueck is clustered in the center of Osnabrueck, a city of 170,000 people which was founded by Charlemagne in 780. 

Students are assisted by the International Welcome Center during their time at Uni-Osnabrueck.  The international office provides a variety of services to students before they arrive in Germany and during their stay.  These services include Welcome Week, non-credit German language courses, cultural activities, language partners and international conversation groups. 

Students are responsible for securing their own housing in Osnsabrueck.  Students are recommended to apply for Studentenwerk housing, which is affordable and allows students to live with German students.   There are several Studententwerk housing facilities to choose from in Osnabrueck.  All Studentenwerk residences provide single rooms with cooking facilities on each corridor and dormitory tutors (similar to the RA's at AU) in each residence. 

You can find limited information in English on housing and living in Osnabrueck at this section of their website (click on British flag for English on any page of the site): Student Life in Osnabrueck.

International Student Welcome Center Information -
http://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/standard_en/911.html