The Bielefeld Study Model
Master’s Programme
As a rule, entry to a Master’s programme requires a first degree (e.g. a Bachelor’s degree) with a focus on a particular subject area. During the Master’s programme, students acquire further in-depth academic qualifications, and if they wish to become a teacher, the entrance requirements for admission to the preparatory training period in a school setting organised by the state government (‘Referendariat’).
If students are aiming to become a teacher, all subjects already studied at Bachelor level are continued on the Master of Education (M.Ed.). Variations in the study structure for the different types of schools are reflected in the Master's programme.
All variants of the Master of Education programme require students to take a module in German as a Second Language, irrespective of the subject/learning area chosen. Likewise, one practical semester is a compulsory part of all types of these degree programmes.
Master of Education
- Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession at Advanced Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Gymnasium & Gesamtschule', GymGe)
- Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession at Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Haupt-', 'Real-', 'Sekundar-' and 'Gesamtschule', HRSGe)
Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession (4 semesters)
at Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Haupt-', 'Real-', 'Sekundar-' and 'Gesamtschule', HRSGe)subject¹30 or 20 credit points respectivelysubject¹20 credit pointsEducational Sciences24 or 34 credit points respectivelyGerman as a Second Language6 credit points- Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession at Secondary and Comprehensive Schools with a Focus on Special and Inclusive Education ('Haupt-', 'Real-', 'Sekundar-' and 'Gesamtschule', HRSGe/ISP)
Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession (4 semesters)
at Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Haupt-', 'Real-', 'Sekundar-' and 'Gesamtschule')
with a Focus on Special and Inclusive Education (HRSGe/ISP)subject¹30 or 20 credit points respectivelysubject¹20 credit pointsEducational Sciences or
Educational Sciences - Integrated Teacher Training for Special Education
24 or 34 credit points respectivelyGerman as a Second Language6 credit pointsThe (first) Master's degree ends with the qualification for the teaching profession at Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Haupt-', 'Real-', 'Sekundar-' and 'Gesamtschule', HRSGe). In order to additionally acquire the qualification for the career perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education, the additional (second) Master's degree "Educational Science for Special Needs with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education" is required. The second Master has a four semester standard period of study, but only lasts two semesters for Bielefeld Bachelor and Master graduates. Special approval requirements apply to this Master's degree:
At least one of the two subjects must be German Studies or Mathematics. Other subjects to choose from are: English Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Protestant Theology, German Studies, History, Art (from winter semester 2024/25), Mathematics, Music (from winter semester 2024/25), Philosophy, Physics, Social Sciences or Sports Science.- Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession at Primary Schools ('Grundschule', G)
Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession (4 semesters)
at Primary Schools ('Grundschule', G)major subject¹20 credit pointssubject²
('Unterrichtsfach' or 'Lernbereich')15 credit pointssubject²
('Unterrichtsfach' or 'Lernbereich')15 credit pointsGerman as a Second Language
6 credit pointsEducational Sciences24 credit points- Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession at Primary Schools with a Focus on Special and Inclusive Education ('Grundschule', G/ISP)
Master's Programme for the Teaching Profession (4 semester)
at Primary Schools ('Grundschule') with a focus on Special and Inclusive Education (G/ISP)major subject
Educational Sciences
/ Integrated Teacher Training for Special Education29 credit pointsElementary Mathematics15 credit pointsGerman Literacy15 credit pointsGerman as a Second Language
6 credit pointssubject¹
('Unterrichtsfach' or 'Lernbereich')15 credit pointsThe (first) Master's degree ends with the qualification for the teaching profession at Primary Schools ('Grundschule', G). In order to additionally acquire the qualification for the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education, the additional (second) Master's degree "Educational Science for Special Needs with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education" is required. The second Master has a standard period of study of four semesters, but only lasts two semesters for Bielefeld Bachelor and Master graduates.
- Educational Science for Special Needs with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education
Master's Programme Educational Science for Special Needs
with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education
(4 semesters, shortening to 2 semesters possible by credit recognition)special education subject „Learning“50 credit points (shortening to
26 credit points possible by credit recognition)special education subject "Emotional and social development"55 credit points (shortening to
34 credit points possible by credit recognition)Prerequisite for the Master's degree "Educational Science for Special Needs with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education / Primary Schools" is a Master's degree for the teaching profession at Primary Schools or for the teaching profession at Secondary Schools ('Haupt-', 'Real-', 'Sekundar-' and 'Gesamtschulen') (one of the subjects must be German Studies or Mathematics). In order to additionally acquire the qualification for the career perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education, the additional (second) Master's degree "Educational Science for Special Needs with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education" is required. The second Master's degree has a four semester standard period of study, but only lasts two semesters for Bielefeld Bachelor's and Master's graduates.