- Founded
- 1965
- Students
- 36
- Programmes
- 1
About Theologische Fakultät Fulda
The Theologische Fakultät Fulda is a small, state-recognised ecclesiastical university in Fulda, Hessen, operating under the administration of the Diocese of Fulda. It is one of Germany's few independent Catholic theology faculties and holds the status of a state-accredited scientific higher education institution (staatlich anerkannte wissenschaftliche Hochschule) under Hessian law, with full rights to award degrees including doctorate and habilitation.
The faculty traces its educational heritage to the Benedictine monastery school of Fulda (founded 744 AD) and gained its current institutional form in stages: a philosophy and theology institute was established in 1965, promoted to faculty status by the Holy Congregation for Catholic Education in 1978, and received official state recognition from the Hessian Ministry of Education on 23 February 1983. Enrolment is very small - approximately 36 students - which enables an exceptionally high faculty-to-student ratio and a personalised learning environment.
Teaching and research are concentrated in Catholic theology across 11 academic chairs, covering Old and New Testament, Dogmatics, Church History, Canon Law, Liturgical Studies, Moral Theology, Pastoral Theology, Philosophy, and Religious Education. Three research institutes are attached: the Anselm Institute (medieval theology and philosophy), the Institut Bibliotheca Fuldensis (medieval manuscript research), and the Institut Kirche in der Welt (church-society relations). A second study location, the Katholisch-Theologisches Seminar Marburg, hosts teacher-training programmes for Catholic religious education at gymnasiums.
One of Germany's few independent state-recognised ecclesiastical theology faculties
State recognition by Hessen (1983) with full doctorate and habilitation rights
Exceptionally small cohort (~36 students) enabling close faculty-student mentoring
Three specialist research institutes: Anselm Institute, Bibliotheca Fuldensis, Institut Kirche in der Welt
Library of 350,000 items - including rare medieval manuscript collections - free to all students
Historical roots tracing to the Fulda monastery school founded in 748 AD
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1965
- Students
- 36
- Faculties
- 1
- Programmes
- 1
Study programmes
1 accredited degree at Theologische Fakultät Fulda.
Showing 1–1 of 1 programme
Admissions & fees
What it costs
As a state-recognised Hessian institution, general tuition fees were abolished in Hessen from winter semester 2008/09. A re-enrolment administrative fee (Rückmeldegebühr) of €50 per semester applies. No non-EU surcharge is published on the official site.
Admission requirements
The Magister Theologiae programme was discontinued from winter semester 2022/23 - no new students are admitted to that programme. Postgraduate study (Lizentiat, Promotion/doctorate, Habilitation) remains open. Teacher-training and a two-subject bachelor's degree are offered at the Marburg location. International applicants must hold a recognised higher-education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). German-language proficiency is required (level not published on the official site - contact [email protected] for current requirements). Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants whose prior qualification is from those countries require an APS certificate before applying for a student visa.
Application deadlines
Matriculation registration windows: winter semester 1 July - 1 October; summer semester 1 February - 1 April (official Matriculation page). Written application documents go to the Faculty Office; no separate preliminary application deadline is published.
How international applicants apply
Church-vocational / direct application - uni-assist, hochschulstart and any central portal are NOT used. Matriculation is requested directly at the Faculty Office (Rektorat) by submitting an application form plus proof of higher-education entrance qualification, examination certificates, CV, medical-insurance certificate, record of withdrawal from previous institutions, and a certificate of good conduct FROM THE PARISH PRIEST - reflecting the seminary character of the Catholic faculty. Registration windows: winter semester 1 July - 1 October; summer semester 1 February - 1 April. Since winter semester 2022/23 the Magister Theologiae intake at the Fulda location has been DISCONTINUED (only postgraduate licentiate/doctorate/habilitation continue there); teacher training for Catholic religion and a newly designed two-subject bachelor run at the integrated Katholisch-Theologisches Seminar Marburg (Deutschhausstrasse 24, 35037 Marburg), which merged into the faculty by the diocesan Hochschultraegerschaftsgesetz of 4 February 2015. Contact: [email protected], Eduard-Schick-Platz 2, 36037 Fulda.
Languages of instruction
German is the primary language of instruction. No English-taught degree programmes are offered. A basic English-language section of the website exists for general information.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Campuses & locations
Eduard-Schick-Platz 2, 36037 Fulda. Houses the theology faculty, library (350,000 items), and all research institutes. Located next to Fulda Cathedral in a renovated heritage convent building.
Deutschhausstraße 24, 35037 Marburg. Hosts Catholic theology teacher-training programmes (Lehramt Gymnasium) and a two-subject bachelor's degree.
Living in Fulda
Fulda is a city of approximately 68,500 inhabitants in central Hessen, about 100 km northeast of Frankfurt am Main. It is known for its exceptionally well-preserved Baroque quarter - among the finest in Germany - centred on the cathedral (Dom zu Fulda), the City Palace, and the monastery grounds dating to 744 AD. The city hosts roughly 7,600 students across its higher-education institutions, giving it a compact but lively student scene. Rail connections to Frankfurt take approximately 65 minutes (ICE).
Student life & support
The small size of the Theologische Fakultät Fulda (approximately 36 enrolled students) means student life is closely integrated with the wider Fulda academic community. Students participate in city-wide initiatives such as CampusAsyl (a cross-institutional refugee-support project) and have access to sports and cultural programmes across Fulda's universities. The faculty building adjoins Fulda Cathedral, and students may join the cathedral choir. International study stays - notably in Jerusalem and Rome - are part of the theological curriculum. The library's 350,000-item collection is freely accessible to all enrolled students.
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