Teaching and Studies

Within the context of the Bologna Process, the University of Bremen was quick to implement a two-cycle structure of studies. This has necessitated the introduction of stronger measures of quality assurance in respect of teaching and programs of study. Here, the University is able to draw on its long years of experience of cross-university evaluation procedures in the Consortium of Universities in Northern Germany. For example, since 1995 the consortium members have had all the “major” disciplines externally evaluated in a step-by-step process and entered into target agreements on corresponding quality developments.

The University of Bremen is committed to a continual process of improvement and development of the quality of teaching and studies. The primary objective is to offer its students a high level of career-oriented studies that can be completed within an expedient time. All this calls for study programs that are well organized and accordant counseling and support for students as well as for the teaching staff.

Teaching Profile

Ever since it was founded, the University of Bremen has maintained close links between its research and teaching activities. A good example is its approach to studying in projects (“Bremen Model“), which fosters elements of independent research-based learning oriented to societal issues. Today, this is underscored in a number of study elements, the strong orientation to interdisciplinary studies, and the University’s guiding principles. Various surveys, measures, and discussion processes illustrate and confirm that both teaching staff as well as students share a high level of willingness to participate in research-based learning: implementation is facilitated by this culture of internal consensus. Especially characteristic for its teaching profile is the University’s focus on research-based learning at an early stage of studies, the anchoring of a comprehensive program of General Studies in the curriculum, and the supportive integration of e-learning components. …

Quality assurance and quality management

The University of Bremen’s overriding guiding principle is to achieve a high quality of teaching and research. In pursuit of this goal, the Faculties, the Rector’s Office, the Department for Academic Affairs, and the Academic Council have formulated shared requirements in the form of quality guidelines and recommendations pertaining to the structure of degree programs, the development of key qualifications, and compatibility between studies and family. Over and above this, the University of Bremen makes use of a number of integrated instruments of quality assurance that lead to a culture of quality in teaching.

The system of quality management in teaching and study programs at the University of Bremen is decentralized and participatory. It applies to all members of the University according to their functions. The disciplines and the University management ensure a comprehensive flow of information and have established possibilities for all groups within the University to participate. ...

Structure of studies

In 2001 the University of Bremen committed to the swift introduction of Bachelor‘s and Master’s degree courses as required by the Bologna Process. Since then, this system has been introduced in all of its degree courses. This reform of the structure of studies has gone hand in hand with reforms of program content, the design of lecture courses and their delivery, and clearly structured syllabi....