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Teaching Qualification for Primary Education (Teaching Degree)

Taught in German. All language subjects are also taught in the respective language; almost all English courses are taught in English. The degree programme in primary education, or 'L1' as it is known, prepares students to teach Years 1-4 at German Grundschulen. Graduates get a teaching certificate for Years 1-6 in their particular teaching subjects.

Overview

Number of enrolled students

734 students are enrolled in this degree course (as of winter semester 2016/17).
Overview

Overview

The degree programme in primary education, or 'L1' as it is known, prepares students to teach Years 1-4 at German Grundschulen. Graduates get a teaching certificate for Years 1-6 in their particular teaching subjects.

In Germany, teacher-training policy falls within the remit of the federal states' own education authorities. Because of this, programmes of study in the different states can vary in structure and content, particularly with regard to the number, range and combinations of school subjects in which teachers are trained. For those requiring information on teacher-training degrees and comprehensive teacher-training programmes which are run in Germany as a whole, the German Education Server provides a useful website.


An interest in the chosen courses' content and in particular working with children is expected. Openess, stability and self-reflectivity are further characteristics of this profession. The variety of subjects in the teaching degree programmes demands flexibility and an interest (depending on the chosen subject) on questions concerning natural sciences, languages and arts, as well as social-  and educational sciences.

Prerequisites

Applicants must have an Abitur (German school leaver’s examination for university entrance) or equivalent in order to apply for teaching degree programmes leading to a state examination (NO university of applied science entrance qualification). Several subjects of the various teaching degree programmes require subject-specific prerequisites such as aptitude tests or specific language requirements. All teacher-training students must provide evidence of an orientation placement of at least four weeks' duration. This is intended as an opportunity to gain an insight into their future careers. Students should complete their orientation placement before starting their degree programme and must have done so at the latest before starting their school-based studies during the lecture-free period.


Composition of Degree Programme

Degree

Degree

First state teaching examination

Duration of studies

Duration of Studies

The standard duration of this degree programme is three and a half years (7 semesters).

foodnotes

1 See aptitude test
This takes place before commencement of the degree programme.

2 See language requirements

3 For teaching the subject Protestant Theology/ Catholic Theology and in order to hold denominational classes, a teaching permission for the subejct Religion is required (as it is the case with all other confessions).

4 What exactly is social education? Social education is intended to help pupils confront and deal with elements of their social, natural and technological environment. The children should learn to understand the realities of their lives as individuals and as a part of society and gain competence in dealing with these realities. The learing processes here involve a close interplay between experience and reflection, action and considered thought.

Taking the children's own environment or important and accessible situations and problems as starting points, the intention is to enable them to develop questions and search for explanations and alternative possibilities for action. This processing of questions and problems allows pupils to build the knowledge and skills which will help them to shape their own current and future lives both independently in cooperation with others.

5 A sport-practical aptitude test does not take place, but you have to hand in a medical certificate attesting full physical fitness already upon matriculation. A pre-printed from for certification can be found here.

Intermediate assessment for all teacher-training degrees

Intermediate assessment

In all our teacher-training degree programmes, students face intermediate assessment after the first half of the minimum duration of their studies (4th semester). This does not involve them sitting in an exam; instead, each students' intermediate grade is derived from the accumulated grades achieved in modules amounting to a specified number of credit points. In very exceptional circumstances based on valid reasons, students have the possibility to face the intermediate assessment until the end of the 6th semester.

This intermediate grade and the first school placement are intended to confirm students' aptitude for their chosen profession. It follows that continued failure to pass the intermediate assessment and the first period of school-based study by the final deadline will result in students' loss of permission to proceed with their chosen degree. Assessment webpage of the Centre for Teacher Training

First State Examination and Teaching Practice

First State Examination and Teaching Practice / Working as a trainee teacher

  • The teaching degree progamme ends with the first state examination. More on this…
  • After the first state examination, students undertake the second phase of school-based study, known in German as 'Vorbereitungsdienst', 'Referendariat' or 'Ref'. More on this...

Application

Commencement of Studies in the Winter Semester

Commencement of studies

Only possible in the winter semester

Entrance Requirements

Entrance requirements

  1. Applicants must have an Abitur (German school leaver`s examination for university entrance) or equivalent in order to apply for teaching degree programmes leading to a state examination (NO university of applied science entrance qualification). More on this...
  2. Several subjects of the various teaching degree programmes require subject-specific prerequisites such as
  3. All teacher-training students must provide evidence of an orientation placement of at least four weeks' duration. This is intended as an opportunity to gain an insight into their future careers. Students should complete their orientation placement before starting their degree programme and must have done so at the latest before starting their school-based studies during the lecture-free period. More on this...
Application limited internally only winter semester

Application for admission and registration

 

  • The intake capacity is limited.
  • Applications must be received by the JLU Student Secretariat by July 31. More on this...

Please note that the deadline for courses of study that are not limited can be extended. The deadline extensions will be published in the application portal.

 

  • Special regulations apply to foreign applicants or those who gained their university-entrance qualifications abroad. Read more...
First State Examination and Teaching Practice

First State Examination and Teaching Practice / Working as a trainee teacher

  • The teaching degree progamme ends with the first state examination. More on this…
  • After the first state examination, students undertake the second phase of school-based study, known in German as 'Vorbereitungsdienst', 'Referendariat' or 'Ref'. More on this...

Further Information

Contact

Contact
Subject Advisors Teaching Degree Progammes

Subject Advisors

pdfTeaching Degree Programmes

ZfL- Centre for Teacher Training

Centre for Teacher Training (ZfL)

  • Examinations Office
  • School-Based Study

Office hours and a list of the advisors can be found on the website of the Centre for Teacher Training (ZfL).

Central Study Advisor
Wiebke Blumenthal, M.A.
Central Student Services

Directions and welcome desk