It is not always easy to find the right degree program. What’s the best way to figure it out?

In the podcast "Studieren! Aber was?” (“Study! But what?”) academic advisors Franziska, Annabelle, and Julia give you simple tips and suggestions on how to find the right program of study for you and what to consider when choosing a degree.

You can also learn more about individual subjects. Annabelle and Franziska each talk to a student at Mainz University and ask them what it is like to study a particular subject, what you need to know, and what career opportunities it opens up.

Trying to find the right program of study? Let our podcast guide you through the process!

Please note: All episodes of the podcast are in German.

You can find them on all major podcast streaming platforms.

Just browse and listen!

What motivates people to vote or not vote for a particular party? What actually constitutes a democracy as opposed to a dictatorship and how can it be protected? If you find such questions exciting, then Political Science might be the subject for you. Political Science student Julian tells you all about it.

If you are a real bookworm, then this might be the degree program for you. In this episode, we talk about Literary Studies. Sometimes you will find the subject under a different name, for example in Mainz it is called Comparative Literature/European Literature (Komparatistik/Europäische Literatur). Whatever the degree program is called, it's all about literature. Our guest today, Luzie, studies Comparative Literature and researches and compares the literature of different European countries.

Would you like to research new drugs in the lab? In this episode, Sophie, the daughter of a pharmacist, breaks down the stereotypes about studying Pharmaceutical Sciences and explains why she, too, is becoming a pharmacist − a profession that is so important to our healthcare system.

In this LIVE recording from the university open house in Mainz, Annabelle and Franziska talk to four former guests of the podcast, students Jenny, Rachel, Jan and Marc, about their choice of studies and ask for tips for people who are currently looking for the right subject.

If you have any questions, just write to us at zsb@uni-mainz.de.

Are you interested in different living environments? Do you ever question your own assumptions and behaviors that have been shaped by your culture? Do you like to think outside the confines of your own bubble? Then perhaps Social and Cultural Anthropology is for you!

In this episode, we talk about the subject of Art History. Art is more than just painting - and even that is a huge field of knowledge and research. It’s about sculptures, architecture, photography, digital media, performances, and much more. In Art History, you can expect a vibrant examination of works of art of all kinds. Let's see what Sophia, an enthusiastic Art History student, has to say about it.

This episode is for anyone interested in the USA. In order to understand a country like the United States of America, you have to get to grips with its history, politics, and society, but also with its culture and media. Even though the United States of America is a relatively young country, its development has played - and continues to play − a significant role in world affairs. In this episode, we talk to Jan, who is currently on a semester abroad in Texas, as he tells us about his favorite subject, American Studies.

Have you ever asked yourself questions that somehow take your thoughts to a higher plane? Here are a few examples: What is time? Is the reality that we as humans can perceive real and does it actually exist? What are the limits of our thinking and knowledge? What is the meaning of everything? In this episode, we talk about the subject of Philosophy and have invited two students to give us the rundown: Emily and Johannes.

The freedom and imagination of mathematical thought will help you invent new things and pursue innovative ideas and creative solutions for the various challenges facing society. And student Isabelle tells us that this can be really fun.

Have you ever seen a self-driving car? Behind this phenomenon, as behind many things in our everyday lives, lies a computer system. How do you get a computer to automatically solve problems? This is just one part of what Computer Science is about. In today’s society, information - in other words, data - plays an important role. Yet how is the flood of data stored and processed? And what impact does information technology have on our society and our daily lives? The Computer Science degree program provides answers to these questions, exploring both the opportunities and hazards inherent to the fields of data security, ethics and cyber-criminality. Computer Science student Markus tells us all about it.

If you are interested in understanding and communicating about sport and its effects on the body, in sports organizations and sports management and if you enjoy playing sport yourself, then perhaps a Sport degree is for you. We ask Sport student Gloria all about it.

Protestant Theology is a subject that is often associated with prejudices and misconceptions. Am I studying the Christian religion? Is this even a science or is it a matter of faith? Do you have to be a believer to study this? And what do you do during your studies? Do you read the Bible in every seminar? Are all the students completely devout? And then I have to become a pastor, right? Student Michelle is incredibly passionate about her Theology studies. She tells us all about it in this episode.

Discover the world of music and everything that goes with it: From the music of ancient Greece, to ancient Chinese music, to symphonies, Mozart, and techno. What do you actually do when you study Musicology? We ask student Anja.

This episode is for everyone who likes to watch movies. So if you can be found in the movie theater at every film festival, if you still discover new aspects and effects in films that you've already seen a hundred times, and if you're interested in the different genres and narrative styles of films: Then listen carefully to today’s episode. Because today we're talking about Film Studies and have invited student Paula to join us.

Dinosaurs, fossils, volcanoes, rock types, and earthquakes. What sounds like a collection of "How and Why" (Was ist Was) books are all Geoscience topics. Student Julian talks about this exciting and important subject and says "We need more geologists". In this episode, you can find out why this is the case and what Geosciences have to do with climate change, flood protection, and renewable energies.

Many years ago, archaeologists opened the alleged tomb of Jesus, which is said to be located in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. After comparing it with other archaeological tomb excavations, the mortar at the entrance could now be dated to 345 AD, the period in which, according to historical tradition, the Romans are said to have discovered Jesus' tomb and "secured" it. Isn't that amazing? How do you date a find so precisely? Let's start by asking what one actually does when studying Archaeology and whether what we read in such sensational articles really reflects the reality of research. Let's ask someone who actually studies Archaeology: Florine.

What actually is culture? Is it just about countries and origins? Isn't it also culture when people hang locks on bridges as a sign of their eternal love? Or when the crowds lie down on the grass in parks at the first rays of sunshine, stretch out slacklines, and play guitar? How do people actually organize their lives together? This is one of the central questions that Cultural Anthropology deals with. And we ask Freya about what else it is about.

Which of you takes German as an advanced course in school? Do you sometimes think that pursuing German Studies must be similar? Is German Studies just like German as a school subject, only the "extended version"? And what can you actually do with it after graduation? We ask someone who knows all about it: German Studies student Lisa.

What does TikTok have to do with theater? Student Leo tells us that every form of performance can be considered theater. Theater is a medium that can convey a wide variety of messages and socially relevant themes. Theater Studies examines theater as a medium and as a part of culture. And this exciting degree program is the subject of this episode.

Do you know those little toy doctor's cases for children? For many, it’s been clear since childhood: I want to be a doctor! But what is it like to study Medicine and does the reality match our imagination? We talk to medical student Jan.

In this episode, we're not introducing you to a degree program, but to the new host of the podcast "Studieren! Aber was?": Annabelle!

What do you think of when you hear "Ancient Egypt"? Somehow it immediately conjures the same images in our heads: Pyramids, mummies, pharaohs, hieroglyphics. Egyptology is a small, specialized subject belonging to the realm of Ancient Studies. And student Mahsa tells us all about it.

Have you ever wondered why we behave in a certain way in certain situations? We line up in queues when we wait. And when crossing a large pedestrian crossing, we manage not to bump into any of the people coming towards us, without saying a word. How do people behave within a society and how does it work? Sociology deals with all these questions and many more. Student Elisa tells us all.

What do you have in mind when you think of studying history? Memorizing dates? School lessons about the French Revolution that make you wonder, “Why do I need to know this?” Student Jan-Niclas explains why the past has an impact on all aspects of our world and that history is much more than just memorizing dates.

We tell you what’s happening next with the podcast. The good news: There are still many subjects to introduce you to, so we are far from finished. But there will be one small change...

Student Dajana explains that Educational Science is not just about education and children, but about people in the various developmental phases of life. We also talk about what you can do with the degree after your studies.

What will the weather be like today? Have you ever wondered how predicting the weather actually works? And who is actually researching the climate and how it is changing? Meteorology is behind both. We talk to Florina about this subject.

How does media affect us and our society? How does communication in social media work? In this episode, we talk to Till, who is studying Communication Studies. Please note: This episode is for anyone who wants to study something to do with media.

Do people still read and what are they reading? Won't books soon fall out of fashion anyway? Book Studies deals with these questions. Sarah, a Book Studies student, tells us more about it in this episode.

What do you actually have to learn if you want to become an interpreter or translator? To find out, we talk to Dimitrios. He is a student of Language, Culture, Translation.

How do you actually apply for a spot at the university? What is an NC? And what does wait time mean? Together with their colleague Meike, Franziska and Julia discuss what you should bear in mind when applying to university and dispel common application myths.

In recent months, one topic has attracted a great deal of public attention: The development of vaccines and drugs. Within a very short time, researchers have developed vaccines to protect against Covid19. However, research into drugs to treat Covid19 has also been in full swing since the start of the pandemic. We read and hear about vector vaccines and mRNA vaccines and already feel a bit like experts. The development of drugs involves research disciplines such as chemistry, medicine, and biology. Today we are talking to a real expert about a subject that is unique in the German academic landscape: Biomedical Chemistry.

Law is a degree course that somehow everyone has heard of. Student Felix explains what exactly is behind it.

Franziska and Julia ask Holger about his studies in Economics and Business Education. He talks about the content of this exciting combination and the wide range of career opportunities after graduation.

In this episode, student Marc talks about his studies to become a teacher at a German Gymnasium (secondary school). Franziska and Julia chat to him about how this degree program is structured, how you prepare to be a teacher, and what the career prospects are.

This episode is about studying Psychology. What exactly are you going to deal with there? What can you do after graduation? And what are the chances of getting a spot at the university? Franziska and Julia talk about these and other questions with Beate Lipps, psychologist and head of the Central Student Advisory Service at Mainz University.

For many people, starting a degree course also means: Moving out, a new city, standing on your own two feet. Some are financially supported by their parents, while others need to become partially or fully self-supporting. Whatever your situation, sooner or later the question will arise: What costs will I actually incur during my studies? And how can I finance my studies? In this episode, Franziska and Julia talk about the costs of studying and about BAföG, scholarships and more.

When you start your studies, you enter a completely new phase of your life. Many of you are moving to a new city, finding an apartment − the excitement is the same all over the country. What does student life actually look like? How do I get to know people or find an apartment? How do I settle into this new phase of my life? That's what we're talking about today with student ambassador Jenny.

At university, seemingly everything is different from school. How do I find my way around in the first few days? Do I get support or do I have to find everything myself? In this episode, Franziska and Julia talk to student ambassador Pascal. Pascal talks about what the first days at university are like and what he noticed was the greatest difference between school and university.

How do you actually make a good decision? Should you listen to your head or your gut? And if I make the wrong decision now, will it affect the rest of my life? In this episode, Franziska and Julia tell you how to make a good, reasoned decision and what will help you to do so.

Have you ever thought about your values? It’s not something you think about all the time. What are values anyway? And why should I be concerned about them when choosing a degree program? In this episode, Franziska and Julia want to take a look at this often neglected topic with you, because it is very important not only for your choice of degree program, but for any decision that steers your life in a new direction.

What can I actually become if I study a subject in the humanities? Can I only become a teacher if I have a teaching degree?
In this episode, Franziska and Julia, along with their colleague Magdalena from the Career Service, discuss what paths are open to them after graduation and how they can prepare for their careers while still studying.

In order to make the right subject choice, it helps to determine what you actually want beforehand. Franziska and Julia tell you what role your own criteria play in choosing a degree program and why they can make the decision easier.

Is there a way to preview a study program? How can I find out whether I will like the content of the program? In this episode, Franziska and Julia show you a few ways to get a taste of the courses and get as realistic a picture as possible of what to expect.

When choosing a degree course, many only pay attention to which subjects they liked at school. Our interests and abilities often reveal themselves in everyday life. Franziska and Julia tell you how you can discover what your interests and abilities are, using two simple methods. They also explain why it is so important to pay attention to what you enjoy and what you are good at when choosing a program of study.

Receiving a place to study Medicine can seem like winning the lottery. But why is it actually so difficult to get into Medicine? Today, Franziska has invited her colleague Meike to join the podcast and together they explain the new application process for Medicine that has been put into place this year. Is it easier to get a place to study Medicine now? Are things other than your school grades taken into account?

There are so many aptitude tests from so many different providers on the internet − enough to make your head spin. Are the tests reliable and which ones are actually recommended?

The range of degree programs on offer in Germany is huge, so how do you find out what's out there? Franziska and Julia will tell you the best places to look and how to go about it. They also reveal how you can narrow down your selection.

Do you have questions, ideas, or feedback about the podcast?

Would you like to share what you’ve learned about studying with other people?

The podcasters Franziska and Annabelle are happy to receive your emails at zsb@uni-mainz.de!