Draft:Leibniz Kolleg

The Leibniz Kolleg (collegium leibnicianum) is a central institution of the University of Tübingen, named after Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

It is a propaedeutic institution that enables high school graduates to make a well-founded study decision through a ten-month, comprehensive general studies programme while introducing them to academic work. The Leibniz Kolleg values interdisciplinarity in order to realise a more comprehensive educational ideal than is normally possible in conventional study programmes.

History
The Leibniz Kolleg first opened its doors as an institute at the University of Tübingen on 5 February 1948. Its history is based on the tension between the ideas of the French military government regarding the introduction of university studies as part of the general university reform and the ideas of some professors at Tübingen university. The creation of the Leibniz Kolleg was deeply embedded in Germany´s historical context, it represented a new beginning after the total capitulation of Nazi Germany.

The Kolleg was founded at the instigation of the French military government in order to convey a new democratic and historical understanding to the post-war generation. Personalities such as Carlo Schmid, Romano Guardini, Carl Friedrich Freiherr von Weizsäcker, Paul Ohlmeyer, Eduard Spranger, Theodor Steinbüchel and others played a decisive role in the conception of the programme. The building at Brunnenstraße 34 in Tübingen was constructed between 1928 and 1930 by the architect Paul Schmitthenner as the "Deutsche Burse", a student dormitory for Germans formerly living abroad.

Studium generale
For each of the two semesters, students choose courses from the programme offered by the Kolleg according to their own interests. At least six courses must be taken, with at least one course each from the fields of law and social sciences, humanities, natural sciences and arts. Voluntary language courses are also offered. The courses are usually held in German. In the summer semester, students can also take part in courses and seminars at the University of Tübingen.

In addition, mandatory block seminars are organised for all students. These deal, for example, with scientific methods in the humanities, social sciences or natural sciences, but there are also annual block seminars such as a weekend on a political topic, a project week with a topic chosen by the students or preparation for the study trip.

There is also a one-week study trip, excursions and weekly lectures.

Studium sociale
The fact that all students live together (mainly in double rooms) in a sparsely furnished house and have to organise communal living results in the aspect of "studium sociale". In addition, the students are responsible for parts of the programme, for example for the weekly lectures or some of the block seminars. Issues that affect everyone are discussed and voted on democratically at a mandatory weekly meeting.

Application
The prerequisite for application is a general higher education entrance qualification recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur. The first admission criterion is the desire for academic propaedeutic work and subject orientation as well as the willingness to live and learn in co�operation with the other students at the Kolleg and the course instructors. The application process is divided into two phases: the first phase consists of a written application, in the second phase selected applicants are invited to an interview with the current director of the Kolleg. Students' financial circumstances are not an obstacle to admission to the Leibniz Kolleg, as scholarships can be provided based on need.

Organisation and funding
Since 2016, the Leibniz Kolleg is once again part of the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, after being privately funded between 1972 and 2016.

The Leibniz Kolleg is currently run by Ursula Konnertz and Thorsten Nagel.

The cost of a study place currently amounts to an annual fee of €6,900 for tuition fees and rent. The Leibniz Kolleg is financially supported by the Udo Keller Foundation through the Udo Keller Scholarship and by the Society of Friends of the Leibniz Kolleg (Gesellschaft der Freunde des Leibniz Kollegs), founded in 1950. In order to make it possible for those with fewer financial resources to study at the Leibniz Kolleg, it is possible to apply for one of the Stipendia Leibniziana, which are also funded by the Gesellschaft der Freunde des Leibniz Kollegs. The friends' association also contributes to the idealistic promotion of the work of the Leibniz Kolleg, for example through a broad alumni network.