International Students

Benvenuti - Bienvenidos - Bienvenu - 歡迎 - Laipni Lūdzam - Velkomme - Welcome - Welkom - Willkommen

Thank you for being interested in studying at the Institute of Sinology! We would like to give you a short impression of the Institute of Sinology and some information for organising and enjoying your stay. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact our ERASMUS-Coordinator:  Christian Soffel

• Studying Sinology in Munich
• How to apply
• Munich ERASMUS Student Association (MESA)
• LMU Munich International Office

Studying Sinology in Munich

Starting from October 2009 onwards, due to restructuring procedures, new students are required to enrol in a “BA” program (three years) first, before they can proceed to higher degrees. However, the “old” program leading to the “Magister Artium" as first degree (abbr. “M.A.”; and not to be confused with the “Master” degree, which has not been introduced yet) is likely to remain open for students, who are currently inscribed at other universities, in a comparable curriculum, and at a similar level.

As an ERASMUS Student you would probably attend the classes of the advanced programme ("Haupstudium") of our Sinology majors depending on your Chinese (modern and traditional) and German language skills.

Our Students majoring in sinology are required to take a minimum of eight semesters to complete an M.A. degree. In addition to their major they have to select two minors, for example Chinese Art and Archaeology, Mongolian Studies (both these are offered at the same institute), Anthropology, History, Economics, Business Administration, Sociology, etc. By the time, they have successfully mastered the basic language units and at least two non-language courses - on Chinese history, Chinese literature, Chinese philosophy, Chinese economics, etc. - those students are admitted to take a first comprehensive examination ("Zwischenprüfung") which consists of a written and an oral part. This examination has to be passed in order to be admitted to the advanced program ("Hauptstudium"), i.e., to courses offered on the level of the fifth to eighth semesters. Advanced students of this level are required to participate in research seminars ("Hauptseminare"), reading courses ("Lektürekurse") and some additional language training. Students admitted to the advanced program are expected to possess basic knowledge in all sub-areas of Sinology and some experience in scholarly writing.

Our classes are generally taught in German. Protocols, exmaninations, and seminar papers have to be written in German, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

In order to get an impression of current classes taught, please browse our "Vorlesungsverzeichnis". Aside from some basic or mandatory classes, there will usually be every semester new research seminars and reading courses with a different topic as their focus.

For students with a BA degree in Chinese Studies from other universities, or a related Master degree (not Magister), the rules outlined above may only apply in part, depending on their qualifications and other criteria. These students should get in touch with the university at an early point in time.

How to apply

The SOCRATES/ERASMUS student exchange programmes are based on prior bilateral agreements between universities. Your home university will be able to inform you about how to apply for a place as an ERASMUS exchange student.

If you are nominated for a place at the University of Munich, the International Office will send you an information package which includes all necessary application forms.

Learning Agreements

Learning Agreements should be discussed with the ERASMUS-Coordinator or the hosting professor at our Institute. You can pick your courses in advance from the table of our BA modules. Other courses are available as well (in particular Advanced Seminars). ERASMUS exchange students do not need to pre-register for our courses. You can expect to get ECTS points as follows:

• Most courses: 1.5 ECTS per class hour (SWS)
• Classical Chinese: 9 ECTS for 4 class hours
• Advanced Seminars: 6 ECTS for 2 class hours

In some cases you can get more ECTS points if you are willing to do additional work. Please visit the ERASMUS-Coordinator upon arrival within the first week of the semester in order to discuss your study plan.

Transcript of Records

A transcript of records is issued on demand. Please inform your professors at the start of the semester, that you will need a ECTS credit point transcript.

Not all courses are graded. If you need to have grades for the courses you take in order to receive credit for the courses from your home university, speak with your professors early in the semester to see if it will be possible to get numerical grades for the courses.

Munich ERASMUS Student Association (MESA)

LMU Munich International Office
Please do also consult the following webpages of the International Office:

• International Students Homepage
• ERASMUS Exchange Homepage
• New to LMU: A Guide for International Students

Contact:

studentenaustausch@verwaltung.uni-muenchen.de