MA German as a Second and Foreign Language / Deutsch als Zweit- und Fremdsprache Trier University

Courses are held in German.

Our MA in German as a Second/Foreign Language offers students of language, literature and cultural studies as well as students of social and educational sciences the opportunity to gain a qualification relevant for a variety of career fields in German as a foreign/second language. Examples of this include teaching language and culture at schools abroad, counselling migrants in Germany, or working in communications or editorial positions in education or cultural management, media or business. 

The programme provides future teachers with the skills they need to teach German as a second/foreign language in both German-speaking and non-German speaking countries. Furthermore, the Master's programme provides in-depth knowledge and skills for pedagogical work in the context of migration and inclusion for language teaching in secondary and tertiary education, and specifically for migration-related multilingual learning groups. Lastly, the MA is interdisciplinary and research-based. 

The aim of the MA programme is to prepare students for their future professional activity in Germany and abroad. The modules aim to impart linguistic, pedagogical and didactic skills and knowledge, especially on the following:

• Basics of linguistics
• Acquisition of German as a second/foreign language
• Subject-specific didactics for German as a second/foreign language
• Promoting multilingualism
• The role of language in subject teaching
• German as a second/foreign language within the didactic principles of language teaching
• Professionalisation in the context of migration-related diversity
• Intercultural education, diversity-conscious work and migration education
• The relationship between language, culture and politics
• Planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching
• Research practice
• Interdisciplinary priorities in elective modules

Admission is generally valid for two subsequent semesters. 

Non-EU citizens:

• 15 January 2026 for the summer semester 2026 (admission also valid for the winter semester 2026/27)
• 31 May 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 (admission also valid for the summer semester 2027)

German citizens, EU citizens, and applicants with a BA or MA degree from a German university:

• 15 March 2026 for the summer semester 2026 (admission also valid for the winter semester 2026/27)
• 15 September 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 (admission also valid for the summer semester 2027)

Applicants from countries requiring a visa for entering Germany should consider applying by 15 January for beginning their studies in the winter semester of the same year (respectively by 31 May for beginning their studies in the summer semester of the following year), giving them more time to complete the visa process and to prepare their stay.

We admit students every semester, so you can begin your studies in Trier in October or April. The MA programme lasts four semesters and requires the completion of 120 credit points through the following coursework:

Semester One:

• Basics of German language didactics (10 ECTS)
• German language and language teaching (10 ECTS)
• German language studies: electives (10 ECTS)

Semester Two:

• Literature, culture and education in a pluralistic society (10 ECTS)
• Teaching and learning in multilingual contexts (10 ECTS)
• Interdisciplinary module: electives (10 ECTS)

Semester Three:

• Research practice German as a second / foreign language (10 ECTS)
• Teaching practice German as a second / foreign language (10 ECTS)
• Interdisciplinary module: electives (10 ECTS)

Semester Four:

Master’s dissertation (30 ECTS)

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Teaching practice (third semester) 10 ECTS

No tuition fees

Trier University does not charge tuition fees. Students only have to pay a semester contribution of approx. 380 EUR for the first semester and 360 EUR from the second semester onwards. This includes the "Deutschlandticket", which covers public transport and local trains all over Germany. The contribution also benefits Trier Student Services and the student union. It also enables students to buy meals at reduced prices at the university's canteens.

Students should expect expenses of approx. 1,000 EUR per month. For instance, monthly housing costs are approx. 290 to 400 EUR (in a students' dormitory or a room in a shared flat) and 450 to 650 EUR (for a single apartment on the private market). A meal in the student cafeteria costs approx. 3.50 to 5 EUR.

If you:

• Have a Bachelor’s or comparable university degree in teaching, OR
• Have a Bachelor’s or comparable university degree in a subject that includes a minimum of 30 ECTS of linguistics, literature or cultural studies or social and educational sciences
• Have very good German skills (details below)

And if you want to expand your knowledge in an interdisciplinary degree programme, are interested in gaining both teaching experience and research practice, and want to profit from the advantages of Trier University, we look forward to receiving your application!

Enrolment is possible every semester. Information on applying, the selection process, the required documents and other deadlines is available at:

https://www.uni-trier.de/index.php?id=711

In order to enrol, candidates have to fulfil German language proficiency requirements at C1 level:

• DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber), passed at level DSH-2 or DSH-3
• Assessment test at the Studienkolleg (if the subject German has been taken and the test has been passed)
• Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS)
• TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache für Studienbewerber) passed in all four parts (LV, HV, TP, oral expression) with at least TDN 4
• telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
• German Language Diploma (Level II) of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (DSD II)

DSH exam at the University of Trier

Applicants who do not have any of the certificates listed above must submit a B2 certificate as part of their application, which certifies that they have successfully completed a B2 German course (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)).

If the applicant is sufficiently qualified for the desired degree programme, they will be invited in writing by the Admissions Office to take the DSH exam at Trier University at the next possible date. Participation in the DSH examination is compulsory and free of charge. A total of three attempts on three consecutive dates is possible. In any case, the degree programme can only be started after passing the DSH test (level DSH-2 or DSH-3) or one of the above mentioned certificates.

Information on the DSH exam can be found here: www.dsh.uni-trier.de

Non-EU citizens:

• 15 January 2026 for the summer semester 2026 (admission also valid for the winter semester 2026/27)
• 31 May 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 (admission also valid for the summer semester 2027)

German citizens, EU citizens, and applicants with a BA or MA degree from a German university:

• 15 March 2026 for the summer semester 2026 (admission also valid for the winter semester 2026/27)
• 15 September 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 (admission also valid for the summer semester 2027)

Applicants from countries requiring a visa for entering Germany should consider applying by 15 January for beginning their studies in the winter semester of the same year (respectively by 31 May for beginning their studies in the summer semester of the following year), giving them more time to complete the visa process and to prepare their stay.

Trier University offers some funding opportunities for international students in the final stage of their degree programmes (maximum duration: six months). However, there are no funding opportunities within the university for the whole course of study or the first three semesters of the programme.

Students from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland enjoy unrestricted access to the German labour market. International students from other countries are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year.

The Career Service of Trier University and the "Agentur für Arbeit" provide an online database for student jobs. Jobs offers can also be found on the website of the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit": https://jobboerse.arbeitsagentur.de.

Additionally, some temporary student jobs can be found on the university's bulletin boards. However, many job offers will require at least some knowledge of German.

Accommodation is available in student halls of residence through the Student Services Office (Studierendenwerk Trier: http://www.studiwerk.de) or on the private market (e.g. http://www.hunderttausend.de). Monthly housing costs are approx. 290 to 400 EUR (for a basic dorm room with a shared bathroom) and 450 to 650 EUR (for a single apartment on the private market).

Trier University’s career service offers a broad range of advisory services, seminars, and events: www.career-service.uni-trier.de

Additionally, the International Office offers a programme specifically targeted at international students: www.career-international.de.

• Individual advice provided by staff members
• Participation in language courses possible free of charge
• Extensive support (pre-course orientation, individual counselling) by the International Office
• Social and cultural offers by student clubs and unions