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City of Bielefeld

© Universität Bielefeld

Place of Study: Bielefeld

Bielefeld University

Bielefeld University – founded in 1969 – is one of the leading institutions of higher learning and research in Germany. Though still a young university then, especially the departments of sociology and history produced innovative impulses for their respective disciplines as early as the 1970s. One of such impulses was, for instance, the development of a new framework of historical research brought forth by renowned historians such as Hans-Ulrich Wehler and Jürgen Kocka, sometimes referred  to as “Bielefelder Schule” (“Bielefeld School”). By integrating methods and approaches from several bordering disciplines (i.e. economics, sociology etc.) into their historical research, Wehler and Kocka established the “Historische Sozialwissenschaft” (“historical social science”) which soon grew its recognition far beyond the borders of the region. Contributions such as the leading works in the field of conceptual history by historian Reinhart Koselleck further cemented the reputation of the faculty of history as an institution of big scope and influence. Not to be outdone by its own past, Bielefeld University’s department of history still ranks among the 100 best such departments in the world. (QS World University Ranking 2014)

Today Bielefeld University consists of 14 faculties and is attended by more than 25.000 students – 1.900 of whom are international students (Academic Year 2018/19). The University continuously improves it structures and its range of study programmes to accommodate for the best possible conditions for higher learning and research. For this enduring commitment Bielefeld University – as one of only six universities – was awarded the German prize for excellence in teaching. As such, the award acknowledges Bielefeld University’s inspiring atmosphere for students and faculty alike. Bielefeld University combines several strengths,thereby making for a rewarding time of stay and study:

  • Bielefeld University is a campus university, meaning everything needed can be found in proximity – often under the same roof.
  • The University offers a prime-quality library with a vast array of subjects covered and up-to-date facilities and equipment.
  • Free Wi-Fi on campus.
  • A variety of support and service facilities are located on campus, assisting students on questions concerning study and career.
  • Affordable housing near campus.

For international students, Bielefeld University’s International Office offers several services when it comes to finding further language training opportunities, searching for a place to live, organizing trips to German cities and more. Other activities available to students directly on campus include: a big variety of sports groups which self-organize through the free “Hochschulsport”-programme, a gym, as well as theatre and music groups. Because of this student-organized theatre performances are a regular occurrence. Furthermore, the university maintains a classical choir and orchestra. Once a year the city celebrates the “Nacht der Klänge” (“night of sound”), in which the buildings of the University too become a home to artistic sonic installations. Also, the UniKino turns lecture halls into cinemas and once a week presents current and classic movies for a small entrance fee.

The City of Bielefeld

With more than 330.000 inhabitants the city of Bielefeld is among the 20 biggest cities in Germany and the biggest city in its home region of Ostwestfalen-Lippe (or “OWL” for short). As such, it is the economic and cultural hub of an area home to about two million people. Its central location – not only in its region, but in Germany overall – provides the opportunity for visiting many cities. Travelling in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (commonly abbreviated as “NRW”) to places like the Ruhr-area, Düsseldorf, Cologne etc. is particularly affordable because of the NRW ticket, which is granted to Bielefeld University students as part of their semester contribution fee. Nestled right in and around the hilly range of the Teutoburg Forest, Bielefeld is home to a variety of parks, green spaces and hiking paths that lead right through the heart of the city. Diverse leisure, sport and cultural activities, paired with the panorama of the Teutoburg Forest make for a very pleasant place to live.

The city of Bielefeld was established in the year 1214 as a merchant city, and as such, recently celebrated its 800th anniversary. The Count of Ravensberg, Hermann II., founded the city along prospering trade routes with the intent to consolidate his power in the region. By subsequently joining the Hanseatic League, the city grew in wealth and population. Near the end of the 16th century the city’s historically most significant industries began to emerge: textile manufacturing and the trade of linen. Because of this, Bielefeld is often known as the “city of linen”. The Second World War saw a big part of Bielefeld’s historical city centre destroyed, with at least parts of it being rebuild in the ensuing post-war era. But especially the last 30 years have brought a cultural growth of the city, with the establishment of several museums, concert halls and art venues, most notably the Historisches Museum (museum of history), the Kunsthalle (art gallery) and the Stadthalle (concert venue and convention center). The Kunsthalle in particular has garnered recognition for its exhibitions of 20th and 21st century national and international art.

The city’s most visible and famous landmark is the Sparrenburg (or Sparrenberg Castle). The precursors to its current makeup as a tower fortress were built as early as the 13th century, with big parts of the current layout of the fortress being additions from the 16th century. It towers over Bielefeld’s city centre and is a popular spot to visit. This is particularly true for the summer when the Sparrenburg hosts the Sparrenburgfest – a yearly festivity with the flair of a renaissance fair. The “Alte Markt” (old marketplace) located in the historic old town, at the feet of the Sparrenberg (i.e. the hill, the Sparrenburg sits upon), still today shines a light on Bielefeld’s significance in the medieval period, as do the old city hall, several restored patrician houses and the church of St. Nicholas. The Ravensberg spinning mill stands as a figurehead of Bielefeld’s connection to linen and is a testament to 19th century industrial architecture as one of the biggest such mills in the world at the time of its construction. Art and concert venues like the Kunsthalle and the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle are close as well. For students, popular spots to unwind and relax in the evenings include, first and foremost, the Siegfriedplatz, (west of the city centre), plenty of bars and restaurant all around the city centre or near the central rail station, or the recently renovated Kesselbrink.

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