Local Partner Universities

Association of North German Universities (VNU)

The Association of North German Universities is a network of eight universities from the German states of Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. The universities of Bremen, Hamburg, Greifswald, Rostock, Lüneburg, Oldenburg, Kiel, and Lübeck have been cooperating for more than 20 years, especially in the field of quality assurance of teaching and studying. The University of Groningen (NL) is an associated member. Not only the number of affiliated universities but also the range of topics covered by the Association is continuously expanding. Currently, the Association is testing a joint instrument (Nordaudit) for the further development of internal quality assurance procedures. Additionally, the Association is focusing on establishing a national research network and a joint university policy forum.

Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

In the field of research and academic education, the close geographical proximity has led to a number of linkages and cooperative partnerships among the North Germany universities. For certain subjects and school types, they can now offer cooperative degree programs. This opens the door to additional subject combinations, especially for students pursuing a teaching career.

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg is also one of three North German partners with whom the University of Bremen jointly offers the certificate program "University Didactic Qualification". The modular qualification program accompanies and supports the academic staff of the participating institutions in developing their teaching skills.

Universities in the State of Bremen

Bremen’s four universities – the University of Bremen, the City University of Applied Sciences, the University of the Arts, and the University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven – are connected by much more than their geographic location. The coordination of degree programs in the frame of the Bremen Science Plan and diverse cooperation agreements strengthen Bremen as a scientific hub.

The Languages Centre of the Universities in the State of Bremen (SZHB) is a joint institution of the four universities. In the field of musicology, the curriculum of the University of Bremen is closely linked to that of the University of the Arts.

In the field of media studies, the joint “Digital Media” bachelor’s and master’s degree programs combine the focus on Media Informatics (University of Bremen) and Media Design (University of the Arts).

Constructor University

In the Social Sciences, the University of Bremen and the private Constructor University in the North of Bremen cooperate successfully in the joint Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS).

The inter-university cooperation makes it possible to offer an internationally competitive academic program. PhD candidates benefit from the two universities’ different institutional cultures and their wide range of research activities in Political Science, Sociology and Socio-Psychology.