Lehrprofil

Bielefeld University is a traditional on-campus university, in which all faculties and institutions are within walking distance of one another. This architectural proximity has helped forge a special culture of communication between students and teaching staff, between researchers, university management and administration, that is characterised by a remarkable openness to new, even unconventional ideas.

Bielefeld University is committed to academic freedom in teaching and learning. One of its primary objectives is to ensure high academic and didactic standards in teaching. Its study and teaching is oriented to both the world of work and to research. At Bielefeld University, however, these are not contradictory but instead their value is combined to best prepare students for future careers within or outside university.Die Universität Bielefeld bekennt sich zur Freiheit der Lehre. Eine hohe fachwissenschaftliche und didaktische Qualität der Lehre ist ein vorrangiges Ziel der Universität Bielefeld. Dabei sind Lehre und Studium an der Universität Bielefeld geprägt durch Forschungs- und Berufsfeldorientierung. Dies ist an der Universität Bielefeld kein Widerspruch, sondern eine sinnvolle Einheit, die Studierende auf die Anforderungen der universitären und außeruniversitären Praxis vorbereitet.

At Bielefeld University, teachers and students share the responsibility for a successful course of study and thus for the quality of the course itself. Teachers and students treat each other fairly and with respect. They utilise tools of evaluation and feedback to continually enhance and develop the quality of teaching and learning at the University.

The teaching staff at Bielefeld University impart basic knowledge, in-depth specialised competences as well as approaches to academic research and critical thinking. By setting challenging assignments, they actively encourage students to actively engage with the subject area and overarching issues. They offer ongoing support to help students master the demands of the discipline and ensure that the assessment criteria is transparent. They assist students in developing their own academic interests and professional perspectives. They also develop creative ideas for teaching and learning and reflect on opportunities opened up by digitisation to improve upon these and promote interactive learning. Bielefeld University supports its teachers in developing their teaching practice and offers them a wide range of continuing education opportunities.

Students at Bielefeld University actively participate in lectures and seminars. In addition, the University infrastructure offers them the chance to work alongside fellow students also outside of the classroom to make their own contribution to the success of teaching and study at the University. Through their studies at Bielefeld University, they build an individual profile and use it for personal development.

Through offering interdisciplinary and practice-related courses, Bielefeld University supports students in exploring potential occupations and requirements for the various professions.  The University is a place where challenges of the globalised world are discussed. Through exposure to stimulating debate, students are able to reflect on their future role in society.

At Bielefeld University, the guiding principle of interdisciplinarity has played a central role since its founding. An interdisciplinary approach to teaching, study and research is fostered and furthered in the form of cooperative partnerships, interdisciplinary study programmes and knowledge transfer activities.

The University provides an environment that is free of discriminatory structures and acts, a place in which all members and affiliates of the University whether they are students, researchers, or administrative staff are treated with respect and appreciated. This reflects the University’s deep regard for the diversity of the people who study, teach, conduct research, and work in other areas here.

The realisation of gender equity in study and the integration of gender aspects, as well as gender and diversity-sensitive teaching are important goals of Bielefeld University. 

Through the internationalisation of its studies and teaching, Bielefeld University broadens the horizons of all students, preparing them for the globalised job market and raising their awareness of diversity.

Maintaining quality assurance in teaching and study and improving on it is a core task for both management and faculties at Bielefeld University. This is based on the premise that high quality teaching can only be achieved and maintained if all interlinked fields of activity that are relevant to teaching are included in quality development. Bielefeld University audits itself internally and is externally accountable in regard to meeting its objectives and the quality of its services, taking the results on board in its further development.