Ludwigsburg University of Education (LUE)
Situated a little over 12 miles north of Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Wurttemberg, Ludwigsburg is the center of a greater urban district and belongs to the Central Neckar Region. Ludwigsburg University of Education is the modern center for competency for educational sciences in four closely related disciplines: school education, adult/further and education in different cultural and social areas. It is also engaged in fundamental research on education, teaching and learning in all different age groups, the science of teaching, and research on school development.
LUE is most suitable and popular for MSUB students studying education, history, literature/creative writing, and humanities. The university offers a variety of English-taught courses in these fields. Advanced education students also have the possibility of doing student teaching for practical experience in German schools.
Academic Year
Fall/Winter semester: Early October through Mid-February
Spring/Summer Semester: Early April through Mid-August
*Due to the different semester schedules in Germany, students who are interested in studying at NGU for only one semester are encouraged to study during the spring/summer term.
Courses Offered
LUE offers a variety of courses specific for early, primary, secondary and special education. The majority of classes offered at this university are in German, though the university is steadily increasing its courses taught in English. MSUB students will be able to take English taught courses, as well as intensive German language and culture studies.
In addition to its regular course offerings, LUE also offers two Course Packages.
This English-taught interdisciplinary course was designed for students in the fields of Geography, History, Politics, and Education who wish to engage with the teaching of social studies in an increasingly interconnected world. The program places a strong emphasis on heterogeneity, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging critical reflection on identity, culture, gender, social belonging, and one's own position in society. Its aim is to prepare future teachers to work confidently in international and diverse educational settings. The course is structured around four key components: subject-specific knowledge, subject-specific didactics, integrative academic work (independent research project), and the school-based internship.
This course package is specifically designed for international students and offers a practical approach to contemporary art and design education. Participants engage intensively with three core artistic areas: surface (e.g. drawing, painting), space (e.g. wood carving), and media (e.g. photography). The program includes five thematic seminars in art and design, as well as a one-week artistic excursion, an individual artistic or academic project; and a three-week internship in an artistic or educational setting. Classes are delivered partly in German and partly in English, fostering an inclusive, bilingual learning environment. Students develop not only creative and technical skills but also reflective and intercultural competencies that prepare them for diverse contexts within art education.
Accommodation
The student village is the recommended housing option for students. The student village is just a couple of minutes from LUE campus. If you choose to live there you will most likely stay in a single room in a suite, which you share with other students from Germany or abroad. The suites include from two to ten bedrooms. Single rooms typically cost €1,500/semester.
The individual and private bedrooms contain: a desk, chair, wardrobe, bed with mattress
You will share: a communal kitchen (with refrigerator and stove), a communal dining table and living-room,
one or several communal bathroom(s) and toilet(s)
A limited number of double rooms are also available. Since the number of those rooms is limited LGU cannot guarantee these rooms. The double rooms are situated in the same building as the modern single rooms. These small rooms are recommended for couples or close friends due to the confined space. The cost for a spot in a double room is €990/semester.
Note: Students older than 30 years are not allowed to stay in the student village and will be required to find private accommodation.
Read more information about accommodation at LUE and general living information.
Costs
MSUB students studying abroad at LUE pay MSUB tuition. Students are expected to pay for their room and board in Germany upon arrival to LUE. Single rooms are 1,470€ (±$1,640) per student, per semester. Double rooms are 990€ (±$1,100) per student, per student. Students also pay 2-3€ per load to wash clothes. The full cost of accommodation is due within the first six weeks of arrival to LUE.
For meals, students usually use the school cafeteria which costs 2-4€ (± $2.50-$5), which includes a beverage. Students also will need to budget for the German Residence Permit and health insurance - see below for more details.
Students should plan from $4,000-$4,500 for an exchange semester of 4-6 months, including accommodation.
Some German government sponsored scholarshipsare available for students in this program.
Visas
American students may enter Germany to study short-term without a visa. If you stay in the country for more than three months, you must apply in Germany for the Residence Permit at the International Registration Authority (Auslaenderbehoerde) in the town hall. The cost for the residence permit is 100€ (±112). The university will support you in taking care of the Residence Permit.
Health Insurance
To ensure comprehensive and quality coverage, all study abroad students are required to enroll in insurance that is provided through the designated Montana University System insurance provider. Please consult with the Study Abroad Coordinator for further information. This insurance is affordable with a typical semester averaging about $250. Moreover, students studying for one semester or longer are required to purchase statutory health insurance administered by AOK, a German health insurance company. The cost for this additional insurance is about 107€/month ($120/mn).
Click here for more information about the German AOK Health Insurance.
