Augustana Divinity School

Being the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria and one of the two Theological Seminaries in Germany, the Augustana offers a fascinating variety of opportunities and programs in Christian education, academic theology, religious studies and practical experiences in church and society, at different levels and degrees. Therefore, not only students from all over Germany, but also from many different international partner schools and universities come here to start or to continue their studies in protestant theology.

Our international network brings into contact institutions from all over the world, e.g. Divinity Schools and University Faculties of Theology within Europe (Basel, Budapest, Montpellier, Rome, Oslo, Vienna, Zurich) as well as in Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The inspiring diversity and openness of our campus - among the students as well as the staff and the colleagues - leads to an intensive dialogue among people from different parts of this one world, from different churches, confessions and denominations, from different religious origins, vocational backgrounds and theological orientations. In this sense, our being Lutheran means: being ecumenically Lutheran, in continuing exchange and reciprocal enrichment. It is not a case that in the last years many of our international guests came from the catholic and the orthodox church.

The Augustana has close ties with the church's social and welfare work and with its missionary work. Nearby, right here in Neuendettelsau, you can find the important institution of the Diakonie Neuendettelsau with its numerous diaconic activities, as well as the Centrum Mission EineWelt, the Bavarian Church's Centre of Mission, with its worldwide international, intercultural and interreligious activities. Students and researchers staying at the Augustana are kindly invited to benefit from these collaborations, by way of own projects, internships, traineeships etc.

In 1990, our Theological Seminary was conferred the right to award doctoral degrees and in the near future a master's program will be established. Therefore, international guests come to the Augustana not only for the undergraduate program, but also as PhD-candidates for the dissertation, or as researchers/professors for Post-Doc and individual research projects. But if you, being e.g. a pastor or a school teacher, prefer to come here only for a short stay - in order to get in contact with German theology, to improve your language skills in German or to work on a special research project - we would appreciate your application anyway! Generally, we can supply all of our international guests room/appartment on campus, mensa, 24h/day access to our library/all important facilities and free internet. Besides, our International Office is ready to assist you in all academic and personal questions right from the beginning of an individual project.

Because of our close contacts to important organisations like the Lutheran World Foundation or the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), we offer assistance in applying for financial support of individual study/research projects, too. Please get in contact with us in time!

International guest should be aware that all lectures, seminars and the Latin, Greek and Hebrew language courses are held in German at the Augustana (as it is at nearly all German Divinity Schools/Faculties of Protestant Theology). Therefore, if you want to come here and to register regularly as undergraduate or graduate student, you will have to bring with you a German language certificate. However, doctoral dissertations and translations in language examinations can be written in English.

The Augustana is located in a beautiful landscaped park and offers opportunities for close communication between students and staff. Neuendettelsau is only 25 miles from Nuremberg (= Nürnberg). The city can easily be reached by train or car.