School of German Studies
Established in March 1950, the German language major at Beijing Foreign Studies University is one of the earliest German language programs established in higher education institutions following the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Since its inception, the German language major has undergone several organizational changes. Initially part of the German and French Department, it later merged into the German, Spanish, and French Department, before ultimately becoming an independent department in 1959. It merged with the Eastern European Languages Department in 1963, only to regain its independence in 1981, and was elevated to school status by March 2019. The School of German Studies is home to a faculty of 37 members, including 32 professional teachers consisting of eight full-time professors, three of whom are doctoral advisors, 13 associate professors, and 11 lecturers. As of the 2024-2025 academic year, the school enrolled 301 undergraduate students, 97 master's students, and 28 doctoral candidates.
This academic program is recognized as a national key discipline and a national-level special program. The school publishes several academic journals, including the Chinese-language version of Germanistische Kulturwissenschaften, the Chinese-language version of Information und Forschung ueber deutschsprachige Laender, and the international journal Interkulturelles Forum der deutsch-chinesischen Kommunikation, developing a comprehensive system encompassing six specialized areas of German literature, German linguistics, translation studies, diplomatic studies, economic studies and intercultural studies.
Scholars in the German academic program hold significant leadership roles in various national teaching and research institutions, undertaking important responsibilities in organizing, researching, and guiding German language education across the country.
Additionally, the school has established cooperative relationships with universities in German-speaking countries, such as Heidelberg University, the University of Bonn, and Goettingen University in Germany, as well as the University of Vienna in Austria.
Moreover, the "Sino-German intercultural German studies dual master-degree program" and the "translation dual master-degree program", conducted in collaboration with German universities, have received support from the International Cooperative Training Programs for Innovative Talents of the China Scholarship Council. The projects proposed by the school have been selected for the China Scholarship Council's 2025 Country and Regional Studies Talent Support Program. The school has also dispatched Chinese directors to several Confucius Institutes in German-speaking countries.
Programs and Courses
Degree Program | Bachelor |
Major | German Language 1. German Literature 2. German Linguistics 3. Translation Studies 4. German Foreign Policy 5. German Economy 6. Intercultural Studies |
Length of Course | 4 years |
Course Fees | RMB 26,000 / year |
Application Fee | RMB 800 |
Course Commencement | Fall semester |
Admission Requirements | 1. A high school degree with strong academic results; 2. HSK Level 5 (or equivalent) score of 180 or above 3. Successful interview with School of German Studies |
Application Materials | 1. Application Form for International Students 2. Custody Release Form (please download and submit online after completion) 3. Affirmation Statement (please download and submit online after completion) 4. Copy of your passport photo page and 3 two-inch photos 5. Copy of your most recent qualification* or (if you have not completed your studies) Provisional Graduation Statement* 6. Copy of transcript* 7. Copy of valid HSK results 8. Visa page (for applicants currently studying in a university in China) 9. Study certificate（for applicants currently studying in a university in China Please upload to the file entitled “other attachment”.） 10. School transfer certificate or School withdrawal certificate (for applicants currently studying for degrees in a university in China Please upload to the file entitled “other attachment”.) 11. Recommendation letter and academic transcript from your current university (for applicants currently studying in a university in China Please upload to the file entitled “other attachment”.) *If original documents are in a language other than Chinese or English, an English translation should also be attached. |
Degree Program | Master |
Major | German Language & Literature 1. German Literature 2. German Linguistics (including German Didactics) 3. German Translation Theory and Practice 4. Diplomacy and Economy of German-speaking Countries 5. German Intercultural Communication Master of Translation and Interpreting 1. German Translation 2. German Interpretation |
Length of Course | German Language & Literature: 3 years; Master of Translation and Interpreting: 2 years |
Course Fees | RMB 30,000 / year |
Application Fee | RMB 800 |
Course Commencement | Fall semester |
Admission Requirements | 1. A bachelor’s degree or above; 2. HSK Level 5 (or equivalent) score of 180 or above 3. Successful examination with School of German Studies |
Application Materials | 1. Completed Application form 2. Custody Release Form (Please download online, fill in and upload.) 3. Student Affirmations (Please download, fill in and upload.) 4. Copy of guardian’s ID card or photo page of passport 5. Copy of passport photo page, 2-inches photos (3) 6. Certificate of Latest Academic Degree / Pre-graduation Certificate, Transcript (Copy If the documents are written neither in Chinese nor English, a Chinese or English translation should be submitted at the same time.) 7. Copy of valid HSK Certificate 8. CV (in Chinese or the taught language of your program) 9. Recommendation Letters from 2 former associate professors/professors or with similar qualifications 10. Detailed Research Plan (1500 words or over in Chinese or the taught language of your program) 11. Visa page (for applicants currently studying in a university in China) 12. Study certificate（for applicants currently studying in a university in China Please upload to the file entitled “other attachment”.） 13. School transfer certificate or School withdrawal certificate (for applicants currently studying for degrees in a university in China Please upload to the file entitled “other attachment”.) 14. Recommendation letter and academic transcript from your current university (for applicants currently studying in a university in China Please upload to the file entitled “other attachment”.) |
Contact Us
Beijing Foreign Studies University
School of German Studies
International Building, Office 1032 (West Campus)
No.19 North Xisanhuan Rd, Beijing 100089
P.R. China
Phone: +86 10 8881 6516
Email: bwdyxb@bfsu.edu.cn
Website: https://de.bfsu.edu.cn/
