Bielefeld studying and teaching model
The master course
Depending on the type of course offered, the master's courses 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 profession).
As a rule, a master's course requires a first university degree (e.g. a bachelor's degree) with a specific subject specialisation. During the master's course, further in-depth academic qualifications should be acquired and, in the case of a career aspiration to become a teacher, the approval requirements for preparatory service (German 'Referendariat').
If you are aiming 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
- Advanced secondary and comprehensive school (GymGe) master course
- Master course for the teaching profession at Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule and Gesamtschule (HRSGe)
- Master course for the teaching profession at Hauptschulen, Realschulen, secondary schools and comprehensive schools with integrated special needs education with a focus on special needs (HRSGe ISP)
Master's Program for Teaching (4 semesters)
at Haupt-, Real-, Sekundar- and Comprehensive Schools
with a focus on Integrated Special Needs Education (HRSGe/ISP)Subject¹30 or 20 credit pointsSubject¹20 credit pointsEducational Sciences or
Educational Sciences
/ Integrated Special Needs Education24 or 34 credit pointsGerman 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 course for the primary school (G) teacher training programme
Master's Program for Teaching (4 semesters)
at Primary Schools (G)Major Subject¹20 credit pointsSubject²
(Teaching Subject or Learning Area)15 credit pointsSubject²
(Teaching Subject or Learning Area)15 credit pointsGerman as a Second Language
6 credit pointsEducational Sciences24 credit points- Master's programme for the primary school (G ISP) with integrated special needs education
Master's Program for Teaching (4 semesters)
at Primary Schools with a focus on Integrated Special Needs Education (G/ISP)Major Subject
Educational Sciences
/ Integrated Special Needs Education29 credit pointsElementary Mathematics15 credit pointsGerman Literacy15 credit pointsGerman as a Second Language
6 credit pointsSubject¹
(Teaching Subject or Learning Area)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 lasts 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 Program Educational Science for Special Needs with the Career Perspective Teacher in Special and Inclusive Education
(4 semesters, reduction to 2 semesters possible through recognition)Special Education Focus "Learning"50 credit points (reduction to
26 credit points possible through recognition)Special Education Focus "Emotional and Social Development"55 credit points (reduction to
34 credit points possible through 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 lasts two semesters for Bielefeld Bachelor's and Master's graduates.