the Bielefeld model of studies
The Master's programme
Depending on the type of course offered, the Master's degree programmes at Bielefeld University represent a (partly interdisciplinary) subject extension or specialisation of the previous Bachelor's course. These degree programmes are completed with a Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Master of Education (M.Ed.) (teaching degree).
A Master's degree programme usually requires a completed first university degree (e.g. a Bachelor's degree) with a specific subject specialisation. During the Master's degree programme, further in-depth academic qualifications and, in the case of a career aspiration to become a teacher, the approval requirements for preparatory service (German 'Referendariat') are to be acquired.
If the aim is to become a teacher, all subjects chosen in the Bachelor's degree programme will be continued in the Master of Education (M.Ed.). Differences in the programme structure between the individual school types can also be found in the Master's degree.
In all variants of the Master of Education, a small proportion of "German as a Second Language" must be completed regardless of the subject or learning area chosen. Teaching Experience Semesters are also a compulsory part of all these programme types.
Academic Master Degree Programme
Master of Education
- Master's degree programme for advanced secondary and comprehensive school (GymGe)
- Master's degree programme for the teaching profession at Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule 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 degree programme for the teaching profession at Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule and Gesamtschule with integrated special education with a focus on special needs (HRSGe ISP)
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 pointsThe (first) Master's degree ends with a qualification to teach at Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule and Gesamtschule. In order to acquire the additional qualification for the teaching profession for special educational support, the additional (second) Master's programme"Educational Science for Special Needs with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education" is required. The second Master's programme has a standard duration of four semesters, but only lasts two semesters for Bielefeld Bachelor's and Master's graduates. Special approval requirements apply for this Master's programme:
At least one of the two subjects must be German Studies or Mathematics. The following subjects are also available: English Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Protestant Theology, German Studies, History, Art, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Social Sciences or Sports Science.- Master's degree programme for primary school (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 degree programme for primary school (G) with integrated special education (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 a qualification to teach at primary schools. In order to additionally qualify as a teacher of special needs education, a further (second) Master's degreein "Educational Science for Special Needs with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education" is required. The second Master's programme has a standard duration of four semesters, but only takes two semesters for Bielefeld Bachelor's and Master's 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)The prerequisite for the Master's degree in "Educational Science of Special Needs with the Career Perspective of Special Needs with the Career Goal of Teaching Special Needs Education" is a Master's degree for the teaching profession at primary schools or for the teaching profession at Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule and Comprehensive Schools (here one of the subjects must be German Studies or Mathematics). In order to acquire the additional qualification for the teaching profession for special educational support, 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 programme has a standard duration of four semesters, but only takes two semesters for Bielefeld Bachelor's and Master's graduates.