Study Pedagogy, Educational Sciences in Germany

When studying pedagogy or educational sciences, you learn about educating and training children, adolescents, and adults, both in theory and in practice.

In addition to the pedagogical measures and the theoretical and methodological principles of pedagogy and the educational sciences, you will also learn about other scientific fields such as psychology, sociology, or philosophy. Usually, a practical phase in the form of an internship is also part of the degree programme.

In most pedagogy or educational sciences degree programmes, you specialise in one of the following fields of study:

• International pedagogy
• Vocational pedagogy
• Educational research
• Adult education
• Children’s education
• Cultural pedagogy, theatre pedagogy, media pedagogy
• School pedagogy
• Special pedagogy, inclusive pedagogy

Some higher education institutions distinguish between degree programmes in pedagogy and educational sciences. To put it simply, pedagogy is more concerned with the upbringing, support and education of children and young people, whereas educational sciences also include adult education. Therefore, enquire at the institution of your choice whether they focus on only one of these topics and how the specific study content is designed. The planned practical units and intensities can also differ between higher education institutions!

By the way: Did you know that educational science is part of every teacher training programme? But be careful: even if you can work in educational institutions with a degree in pedagogy or educational sciences, this does not mean that the degree automatically entitles you to become a teacher in Germany. If you want to become a teacher, you can, of course, also study pedagogy/educational sciences for a teaching degree! In this case, however, the standard period of study could change for you. In addition, a teaching degree is linked to the completion of the state examination and a traineeship, the so-called Referendariat.

Courses of study in pedagogy/educational sciences are offered at many higher education institutions in Germany. To be eligible to apply, you will most often need the general higher education entrance qualification or an equivalent. Some higher education institutions waive that requirement and let you apply with proof of relevant training or work experience. Additionally, there are often admission restrictions such as the numerus clausus (NC), i.e. a minimum grade, for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes. This grade point average can vary greatly between institutions: usually, it’s somewhere between a straight A and a C. For a Master’s programme, additional practical experience, for example in the form of internships, is sometimes required.

If you want to study the subject as a major, you can expect a standard period of study of six semesters at most institutions for the Bachelor’s programme and four semesters for the Master’s programme.

Some private higher education institutions offer courses of study in pedagogy or educational sciences in the form of a dual study programme. They might not even have any formal admission restrictions – admission is often linked to an interview, for example. With a dual study programme, you can combine practice and theory even more closely and put your newly acquired knowledge into practice right away.

Generally speaking, there are no tuition fees at state higher education institutions in Germany. However, depending on the institution, you should expect a semester contribution between 100 and 400 euros. Sometimes your semester contribution 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.

However, if you decide to study at a private or distance-learning higher education institution, you will normally have to pay tuition fees, which often amount to several thousand euros. But, as already mentioned, you can also study a dual programme. In this case, your tuition fees are often covered by your practical partner, i.e., a company, which means that you do not incur any extra costs. In addition, you will receive remuneration for dual studies.

The biggest item in your budget will probably be rent. There are differences within Germany; large and popular (student) cities are usually much more expensive. However, you can often keep these costs down by staying in a student hall of residence or in a shared apartment. 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.

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.

After graduating in pedagogy or educational sciences, you can take on a variety of tasks in different educational institutions. These can be places of employment such as kindergartens, youth centres, immigration authorities, but also family counselling in the field of education.

Since this subject has overlap with other disciplines, your choice of career is quite open. It is important that you use the opportunity to specialise in areas that interest you. Specialisation and practical experience will certainly make it easier for you to enter professional life. For example, you have the opportunity to gain a foothold in fields such as corporate or medical education.

If you are reaching for a management position, keep in mind that many employers in Germany expect you to hold a Master’s degree.

Find out more information on the current labour market in this field by searching job listings on the website of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). By selecting the subject of your degree programme here, you can use the career perspectives listed to find out what jobs are available and where you can apply (only available in German). Take a look around! Learn more about your opportunities as an international skilled worker in Germany and the requirements on the Make it in Germany website.