Islamic Studies

The Islamic Religion study component (IR for short) is designed to prepare future teachers pursuing a teaching degree for their practical and educational role as subject instructors of Islamic Religious Education (IRU) in public schools. This preparation is achieved through engagement with the academic framework of Islamic theological studies, educational theory related to Islam, and the subject-specific didactics of Islamic Religious Education.

Students will gain in-depth knowledge and skills in areas such as the systematic and foundational research of Islamic theological studies, the origins and interpretation of Islamic religious texts, and the study of Islam in its phenomenological, historical, social, philosophical, and educational contexts.

The program aims to equip future educators with the ability to critically reflect on, assess, and effectively design teaching and learning processes related to Islam—both in the form of traditional teachings and contemporary Muslim cultures—using scholarly, didactic, and methodological approaches.

This field of study also addresses the unique professional requirements for teachers, including their personal religious self-positioning. To support this, the program encourages critical thinking about the concept of religion, challenging one-sided religious essentialism, cultural reductionism, rigid historical narratives, and the absolutization of theological principles. It fosters flexibility in religious thinking across various levels of reflection and provides methodological tools to practice this adaptability.

This degree program has restricted admission (NC) within the university. Admission is determined through a process where 20% of the spots are allocated based on waiting time and 80% based on the average grade of your higher education entrance qualification. Waiting time refers to the period between completing your high school diploma and applying for the program (excluding any time spent studying).

You can easily apply through Goethe University’s application portal within the specified application deadline. During the online application process, you’ll find out if any supporting documents are required and which ones need to be submitted.