University of Hamburg Needs More English-Taught Degree Programs, CDU Argues
CDU seeks expansion of English-speaking university courses - CDU advocates for more English language education programs
The CDU (Christian Democratic Union of Germany) has raised concerns about the low number of English-language courses at the University of Hamburg. In their minor interpellation to the Senate, they stated that only 11% of the classes in the 2025 exam year will be taught in English. CDU's scientific policy spokesperson, Anna von Treuenfels-Frowein, views this as "alarmingly low" and criticizes the university for being "far from modern science and location policy."
In comparison, the Technical University (TUHH) offers more English-taught courses with 763 lectures, amounting to around 40% of the total. The University of Applied Sciences (HAW) has up to 36%, the HafenCity University (HCU) around 20%, and the University of Fine Arts (HfBK) 15%.
According to von Treuenfels-Frowein, English-language degree programs play a crucial role in attracting international talent. Not only do they benefit the university by diversifying its student body, but they also offer opportunities to students who may want to study abroad in English-speaking countries.
The University of Hamburg's strategic goal is to boost internationalization and the appeal of its study programs. While efforts have been made in the master's programs, there are plans to introduce purely English-language bachelor's programs in various faculties.
The CDU is expecting that half of the study programs should be taught in English. They proposed expanding the "future agreements" with the universities to include a "fixed target agreement on English-language programs for bachelor's and master's degrees." The goal should be for around half of the study programs to be taught in English, they added.
The funding for these expansions must come from the red-green Senate, but the CDU believes that the necessary investments are missing from the red-green coalition agreement. For them, science and research are essential location factors that should receive priority.
The CDU suggests that the University of Hamburg should significantly increase the number of English-taught degree programs, aiming for around half of the study programs to be English-taught, as seen in other institutions such as TUHH, HAW, HCU, and HfBK. Such programs, as advocated by CDU's scientific policy spokesperson, Anna von Treuenfels-Frowein, are crucial for attracting international talent, promoting self-development and education-and-self-development through online-education and vocational training, and providing opportunities for students seeking education in English-speaking countries.