The Dortmund model – a fertile combination of theory and practice

The Institute of Journalism at TU Dortmund University offers eight degree programmes: "Journalism Studies" (BA and MA), "Science Journalism“ (BA and MA), "Economic policy journalism“ (BA ), "Economics and Journalism“ (MA) and "Music Journalism“ (BA and MA).

Studying journalism at TU Dortmund University offers undergraduates a unique advantage: practical media training through a traineeship (Volontariat), which is integrated directly into university study. Therefore, students do not only obtain a BA or MA, but also professional editor status.

Furthermore, in our training newsroom, students produce multimedia content for the online magazine KURT digital, which introduces them to the daily routines of an editorial team.

The Dortmund model has been tested and proven over the past 45 years to have a solid connection between understanding and knowledge of practical and theoretical elements, professional factors, and scientific foundations. Graduates of our journalism courses work as editors, reporters, and producers for all well-known news outlets in Germany, many in executive roles.

As almost all classes are taught in the German language, students need a very good level of spoken and written German.

Erasmus students are obliged to obtain the B1 level of German prior to their semester in Dortmund. For participation in our training newsrooms, the B2 level is required. However, arriving at Dortmund with only B1 does not mean participation in practical training is not possible. The Institute offers intensive German language courses at the start of our Erasmus semester. More information on an ERASMUS+ semester, for exchange students at the Institute of Journalism can be found here.