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, students from all over Germany and many different international partner schools and universities come here to start or continue their studies in protestant theology.
Our international network brings into contact institutions worldwide, 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. Our campus's inspiring diversity and openness - among the students and 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 vital institution of the Diakonie Neuendettelsau with its numerous diachronic activities and 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 through their projects, internships, traineeships, etc.
In 1990, our Theological Seminary conferred the right to award doctoral degrees, and shortly, a master's program will be established. Therefore, international guests come to the Augustana for the undergraduate program and 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 particular research project - we would appreciate your application anyway! We can generally supply all of our international guest's rooms/apartments on campus, mensa, 24h/day access to our library/all essential facilities, and free internet. Besides, our International Office is ready to assist you with all academic and personal questions from the beginning of an individual project.
Because of our close contacts with important organizations like the Lutheran World Foundation or the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), we offer assistance in applying for individual study/research projects, too. Please get in contact with us in time!
International guests 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 regularly register as an undergraduate or graduate student, you will have to bring a German language certificate. However, doctoral dissertations and translations in language examinations can be written in English.
The Augustana is located in a beautifully landscaped park and offers close communication opportunities between students and staff. Neuendettelsau is only 25 miles from Nuremberg (= Nürnberg). The city can easily be reached by train or car.
