Contact information
All questions concerning your studies:
All questions concerning the subject/degree:General Studies - Master of Education Programme (Grundschule)
With the four-semester Master of Education (Grundschule), you will continue your education to become a teacher - building on the dual-subject bachelor's degree programme. In the school-type based Master of Education programme, you will acquire extensive knowledge and experience in both educational science and school practice. You will broaden your curricular knowledge in the teaching subjects chosen.
Orientation and Goals
This master's degree programme prepares students for a career in primary school teaching. Students learn and use current research methods with practical relevance within schools in their research project. They also gain practical experience in schools during an 18-week practical course and teach their first lessons.
Study Design and Contents
The standard period of study for the Master of Education (Grundschule) is four semesters.
The following applies to students beginning their studies in the winter semester of 2022/23:
The master's program, which consists of 120 ECTS credits, is divided into the following studies:
- two teaching subjects in accordance with the Regulations on Master's Degrees for Teachers in Lower Saxony (MasterVO-Lehr) in the current version (9 ECTS credits each),
- of educational sciences (30 ECTS credits),
- basic subject didactic qualifications (12 ECTS credits),
- practical phase (30 ECTS credits),
- project volume (10 ECTS credits), and
- Master's thesis module (20 ECTS credits)
The following applies to students beginning their studies before the winter semester of 2022/23:
The master's program, which consists of 120 ECTS credits, is divided into the following studies:
- two teaching subjects in accordance with the Regulations on Master's Degrees for Teachers in Lower Saxony (MasterVO-Lehr) in the current version (9 ECTS credits each),
- of educational sciences (30 ECTS credits),
- basic subject didactic qualifications (6 ECTS credits),
- practical phase (30 ECTS credits),
- project volume (15 ECTS credits), and
- Master's thesis module (21 ECTS credits)
The regulations are valid up to and including the winter semester of 2025/26. After the winter semester of 2025/26, the amended regulations will also apply to students with studies beginning before the winter semester of 2022/23.
Teaching and Learning
Through diverse modes of instruction and learning (portfolios, presentation days, tutorials), you will learn to conduct independent research at an academic level with professional supervision. Curricular knowledge, subject-specific teaching methods, practical teaching skills and education science-related content are linked closely throughout the programme.
The modules 'Inklusion' and 'Schul- und Unterrichtsforschung und ihre Forschungsmethoden' are an important part of this. During the practical phase, students have access to a network of experienced mentors.
Reasons for Studying
- Strength in education: Over 40% of students at the University of Oldenburg are studying for a teaching degree
- Strength in research: Innovative research project; final papers can be integrated into research projects; special doctoral programme in teaching and learning research
- Strength in supervision: Intensive supervision through a network of experienced mentors in the practical phase
Foreign Language Skills
In order to study this course at the University of Oldenburg as a student from outside of Germany, you need an adequate knowledge of German.
German Language Proficiency
- DSH: Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (Level 2)
- TestDaF: Test – Deutsch als Fremdsprache (with level 4 in all four areas)
The proof of language proficiency must be presented for the enrolment. For other proof possiblities see: Language requirements
Careers and Areas of Employment
The Master of Education (Primary school) programme prepares students for a teaching position in primary education. It is a prerequisite for teacher training (Referendariat) and for qualifying as a teacher in primary education.
Graduates can also work in private and religious schools, in private tutoring institutes or in schools in other countries. Completing the degree also qualifies students for PhD research.
Target Group/Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree or a similar qualification in the subjects for which admission to the master's degree programme is applied for
- Combination of subjects according to the current Regulations for Master’s Degrees for teachers in Lower Saxony (Nds. MasterVO-Lehr)
- In both subjects a total of at least 90 ECTS credits in modules related to the teaching profession, of which at least 30 ECTS credits per subject
- A minimum of 12 ECTS credits in teaching-related educational sciences
- Successfully completed general school internship and successfully completed extracurricular internship - totalling at least 8 weeks
Note for external applicants (Bachelor's degree from a university other than the University of Oldenburg):
- at least 180 ECTS credits according to the grade certificate at the time of application
- with less than 180 ECTS credits, the sum of Bachelor's ECTS credits still missing and requirements determined may not exceed 30 ECTS credits
Application/Admission Procedures
The prerequisites above apply to the application.
This is an open admissions degree course. Application is only possible in the winter semester for 1st and higher semester.
The application deadline for the winter semester is 15th August.
Only for higher semester: The application deadline for the summer semester is 15th February
Overview application deadlines Master of Education programmes