Study Guidance in Germany

As a field of study, guidance does not aim at training management consultants who advise companies on business strategy. Rather, it is about teaching the methods and theories as well as the social and communicative skills needed in individual guidance as well as in team and organisational guidance. For example, you learn to analyse a team’s group dynamics and acquire the skills to shape these dynamics positively. Individual guidance sessions often take place with managers, while team and organisational guidance sessions are usually conducted with experts from the respective companies or organisations.
As a field of study, guidance is interdisciplinary and incorporates elements from several scientific disciplines, such as psychology or sociology. It can be divided into the following fields:

• Counselling
• Coaching
• Mediation
• Supervision

To be successful in your studies, you should have good analytical skills and a high level of social competence. You can further develop these during your studies, especially during the frequently scheduled practical units.

Since the field of guidance is very diverse and includes various disciplines, the admission requirements can vary greatly depending on the higher education institution and the type of study. As a rule, you need a general higher education entrance qualification, a university of applied sciences entrance qualification or an equivalently recognised qualification for all degree programmes. Some higher education institutions also have local admission restrictions, such as the numerus clausus (NC, a minimum grade). Preliminary internships are sometimes recommended by higher education institutions but are rarely compulsory. Important for Master’s programmes: Some Master’s programmes have content-related requirements that you should have covered in your Bachelor’s degree.

A special feature of this field is that many study programmes are aimed at professionals who would like to continue their education. Many programmes are therefore designed as part-time courses, sometimes also as distance learning courses, and can be completed in parallel with a professional career. Consequently, proof of work experience – or sometimes relevant vocational training – can be required when applying.

As you can see, the requirements can be very different. Therefore, you should enquire at the higher education institution of your choice in good time!

Bachelor’s programmes at public higher education institutions often have a standard period of study of six to eight semesters and Master’s programmes often have three to four semesters. In the case of distance learning programmes or private institutes, the standard study times can vary greatly. Part-time study programmes or those for executives take longer.

Tuition costs: A distinction must be made here between tuition fees and semester contributions. Most public higher education institutions in Germany do not charge tuition fees. However, depending on the degree programme, there may be exceptions, which is why you seek out relevant information well in advance. Semester contributions are generally charged at all higher education institutions. Depending on the institution, the fees range between 100 and 400 euros and finance, among other things, the administration and student union. Sometimes your semester contribution also covers a ticket for local public transport or you can purchase a discounted ticket. Depending on where you study, this may be valid for the city, the region or even for all of Germany. Ask your higher education institution whether such an offer is currently available.

The situation is different with tuition fees at private higher education institutions or for distance learning programmes. Here, you may be faced with very high costs, which are often billed per month or semester.

Rent: Depending on where you want to study in Germany, you will be confronted with very different situations and prices in the housing market. Student halls of residence, shared flats or interim lets are often the most cost-effective options. As soon as you have decided on where you want to study, you should start looking, as halls of residence can fill up quickly. Here, you can find information on local halls of residence and the respective application process for most cities.

Additional costs: Of course, you will also have to cover additional costs, from study materials to health insurance and food. Libraries and student dining halls are good options to save money.

To finance your studies in Germany, you should also find out about scholarships. There are many different scholarship programmes and excellent grades are not the only deciding factor. You can learn more about scholarships here and find suitable programmes directly on My GUIDE.

As the name of the degree programme suggests, you can pursue a career in counselling in your area of specialisation. These areas can be, for example:

• Education: You can find work in the education and training sector, for example, in advanced training or further education.
• Psychology and health: In this area, nutrition and health counselling as well as social and psychological counselling are options. This can also include couples or family counselling as well as youth counselling.
• Economics and politics: This area offers opportunities, for example, in economic and communication science counselling. However, fields of activity such as human resources development are also open to you.

Self-employment as a counsellor is also a popular option.

However, you do not necessarily have to take up a consulting position. For example, planning and organisational work in social institutions or public administration are other options. Research institutions and higher education institutions can also become potential employers.

In general, you can look forward to good salaries. In the private sector, the pay is clearly better; but for you personally, the more predictable working hours and the possibly lower expectations in educational and psychological counselling may be more pleasant. You have to find that out for yourself.