Adaptation course for international teachers

You already have studied to become a teacher outside of Germany? In order to be able to continue working in this profession in Lower Saxony, you must apply for recognition of your educational qualification.

1. Completed Teacher Training

Due to differences between the foreign educational qualification and the requirements in Germany, it is often necessary to complete an Adaptation course to study the required content.

2. Application at the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs of Lower Saxony (Niedersächsisches Kulturministerium)

You can find more information on the recognition of your foreign educational qualification at the Regional State Office for Schools and Education Lüneburg (in German), where you also submit the application for recognition.

If you need advice on the subjects or school types prior to your application, please contact our Study and Career Counselling Service.

3. Language requirements and entrance examinations for participation in the Adaptation course

The same German language skills are required for the adaptation period as for the regular degree programme.

Proof can be provided in particular by:

  • a higher education entrance qualification obtained in German,
  • a university degree obtained in German or
  • a recognised language certificate, e.g.
    • DSH-2 (German language examination for university entrance) or
    • TestDaF with level 4 in all sections or
    • Goethe-Zertifikat C2 or
    • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. 

Please clarify with the office responsible for hiring teachers which language certificates will be recognised when hiring.

Proof of English language skills is also required for the subjects EnglishGeographyHistoryComputer Science and/or Economics and Business Administration, and proof of Spanish or French language skills is required for the subjects Spanish and French.

An entrance examination or proof of suitability is required for the following subjects:

These examinations are usually offered annually in May / June.

In the subject sport, a certificate from a sports doctor is required; the relevant form can be downloaded from the website of the Institute of Sports Science.

Sport Suitability

If you have already completed a university degree in this subject, please contact the respective institute to apply for exemption from the language certificate or the entrance examination/proof of suitability.

4. Be aware of the application deadline

Application deadline for the winter semester 15th of July
Application deadline for the summer semester 15th of January

5. Application for the admission to the Adaptation Course

Please use the „Application Form for Admission to the Adaptation Course” to apply for the Adaptation Course. You need to send the application form including the attachments (in one PDF document) by email to:

Application Form for Admission to the Adaptation Course

6. Acceptance

The admission decisions for bachelor´s degree courses are made by the Admissions Office and takes about three weeks. These three weeks start with the reception of the application documents by the Admissions Office

Admission decisions are send by email as soon as the Admissions Office is informed about the decisions.

7. Enrolment

Once you have been accepted, you need to enrol in person at the Admissions Office. Please bring your original certificates, confirmed translations and language certificates with you. You will find more information on this in your admission letter.

Upon enrolment, you will receive the normal status of a student at the University of Oldenburg. You will receive a CampusCard, which includes your student ID and the SemesterTicket.

The regular semester contribution must be paid for enrolment and re-registration.

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