Career prospects

Once you have earned the degree Master of Education you can apply for the Referendariat (18 months of teacher traineeship) in Baden-Württemberg (and under certain conditions in other federal states, too). At the end of the Referendariat you will take the 'Staatsexamen' (state examination). Having passed this state examination, you may apply to work at a public school in Baden-Württemberg (and, in certain circumstances, in other federal states).

You will find further career perspectives in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Here, alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their personal career entry.

Start of study

Winter semester | Summer semester

Study structure

The master’s programme usually takes four semesters to complete. Graduates are awarded the academic degree of “Master of Education”. You will be taking two major subjects as well as classes in educational science including a practical teaching semester. A total of 120 ECTS credits (cr) is required.

You can find an overview of teacher education here.

Erweiterungsfach (additional subject)
If you are enrolled in a Master of Education programme, you may opt to study an Erweiterungsfach (additional subject) as a separate master's programme. You can start taking courses in your additional subject during your Bachelor of Education programme and even complete the relevant coursework and performance assessments. These may be recognised once you start your Master of Education programme. Please consult the director of the departmental administration first.

You can study one of these as an additional subject:

• Chemistry (90 ECTS-Credits)
• Computer Science (120 ECTS-Credits)
• German (120 ECTS-Credits)
• English (120 ECTS-Credits)
• French (120 ECTS-Credits)
• History (120 ECTS-Credits)
• Italian (120 ECTS-Credits)
• Latin (90 or 120 ECTS-Credits)
• Mathematics (120 ECTS-Credits)
• Physics (120 ECTS-Credits)
• Russian (120 ECTS-Credits)
• Spanish (120 ECTS-Credits)

The following subjects are not available for study as additional subjects: biology, political science, sport, economics.

These documents will support you in planning your studies:

• Module guide
• Examination regulation

At the University of Konstanz, you have a broad range of opportunities and training options that complement your study programme, for example orientation programmes to support new students, learning guidance, language courses, a data and information literacy programme as well as options promoting career-oriented skills and social commitment.

• GoMINt – orientation programme in STEM subjects
• Writing Centre – writing tutoring, joint writing sessions and workshops
• Language courses at the Language Institute
• Learning guidance, study tips, time management – workshops offered by the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)

• Advanced Data and Information Literacy Track (ADILT) – programme can be completed with a certificate
• Transfer – practical projects (research, business, politics and society)
• qualification N – Sustainability Certificate at the University of Konstanz

• Profil+ – programme for career skills (German skills required)
• Career Passport – programme for career skills (for international students)
• Advice on career entry, opportunities and workshops from Career Service

Internship

You will complete a practical teaching semester (12 weeks) during the master's programme.

Stay abroad

We recommend that you spend at least a few months abroad to acquire language skills and intercultural competencies that supplement your study programme. Your departmental student advisory service and the International Office will be happy to support you in this.

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

• Three Questions to Hanan, B.A. Philosophy
• Three Questions to Kurt, B.A. Philosophy

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

• Information page "Master of Education"
• Orientation Page Teaching Degree
• Job and practice exchange for teachers

Admission requirements for the master of education programme (Gymnasium) with two majors (not including the special cases "Music" and "Erweiterungsfach" (additional subject))

• Completed bachelor’s degree in teacher education "Gymnasium" with two majors or an equivalent degree.
• In exceptional cases, admission to the master's programme is possible for graduates of a six-semester bachelor’s programme in a specific subject completed at a German university or equivalent institution of higher education in Germany if the programme contained elements of teacher education (see a – d). The same applies to graduates of a bachelor's programme in teacher education for other schools than the "Gymnasium".

Applicants have to document the following:

• a) a minimum of 64 ECTS in each major
• b) a minimum of 5 ECTS in the teaching methodologies of each major
• c) a minimum of 12 ECTS in educational sciences
• d) a three-week orientation internship at a "Gymnasium", a vocational school or a "Gemeinschaftsschule" with upper secondary level students, or an equivalent school internship
• You can complete up to 50 ECTS of missing elements during the master's programme, but they have to be completed by the time you register for your master’s thesis at the latest.

Elements you cannot complete during the master's programme:

• Teaching methodology courses (see b) as well as the orientation internship in a school (see d). You must document having completed these by the application deadline. Exception: you can complete the teaching methodology courses (see b) later if you apply for one of the following subject combinations: physics/mathematics or physics/computer science.
• In the subjects listed below the following elements cannot be completed during the programme, but have to be documented by the application deadline:
• Biology:  Lab course on chemical operations "Chemische Operationen", lab course on cell biology/microscopy "Zellbiologisch-histologisch-mikroskopischer Kurs"
• Political Science: Performance assessments and coursework in seminars (you can complete those for lectures later)
• Sports: Practical sports coursework (modules 5-7 of the bachelor's programme in Sports (teacher education))

Admission restrictions for Biology, Political Science and Sports
Please note that the three majors Biology, Political Science and Sports are programmes with restricted admission. Admission is based on a selection process carried out by the University of Konstanz.

Further information can be found in the admission regulations.

Semester fee
All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

You must produce evidence of having earned your Latinum or Graecum. If you have acquired your Latinum and/or Graecum at school, you can submit your school certificate (e.g. Abitur-Zeugnis). Alternatively, you can catch up on missing language skills during your first semester. You can do so either at our Language Institute (SLI), or at a suitable external institution if agreed upon with the university beforehand. You must produce the required evidence by the time you register for your master’s thesis at the latest. We do not carry out our own language tests to determine your aptitude.

Required German language skills
International applicants need to document their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent. The University of Konstanz does not offer preparatory German language courses or approved German language exams. For this reason, you must submit accredited proof of your German language skills along with your application.

The languages of instruction are German and English.

Philosophy students need to have a good command of English, because a large amount of the relevant literature is written in English. But most of all you need to have a deep-seated interest in philosophical questions, because this will provide you with the motivation and endurance needed to complete the highly demanding course of study. If you are uncertain whether the study of philosophy really suits your interests and abilities, you should take a look at the department’s websites. There you will find examples of original texts and class material. Of course, you are not expected to immediately understand these texts before beginning your studies. But you should certainly feel the desire and be prepared to make the effort to deal intensely with these texts.

As a teacher you need a variety of skills and competences. You should of course be fascinated by the contents of your subject, and at the same time enjoy sharing your knowledge with your young students. You will need to be able to develop teaching concepts, sometimes with your teacher colleagues, and you will need to demonstrate a high level of educational skills in your daily work with children and adolescents. In addition to this, you will need a variety of social competencies. These include communication skills, the ability to deal with conflict, resilience and the ability to inspire and motivate. These skills will also help you when interacting with parents. You enjoy working with scientific and very complex texts and have a structured approach to reading and writing texts. Abstract thinking should come easily to you, and you should have a lively interest in logical and consistent reasoning.

Application documents

You will find an overview of the required application documents in your application for admission, which you will receive at the end of your online application.

An application is possible during the following period: 29.11. - 15.01. | 07.05. - 15.07.
There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website .

The Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) can help you with general questions about finding the right study programme as well as when you are concerned or unsure about your studies. We will be happy to advise you and support you with a wide range of services .

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
Room: D 409 – 412a
Make an appointment: termin.zsb@uni-konstanz.de

Questions related to the content or organization of the study programme:
Departmental student advisory service
Dr. Michael Kieninger
Room: G 605
Phone: +49 7531 88-2745
Email.: studienberatung-philosophie@uni.kn

Advisory Service for Teaching Degrees (BiSE)
Frank Maurer
Contact person room: GF 203
Phone: +49 7531 88-5609
Email: bise.studienberatung@uni-konstanz.de