With the four-semester Master of Education (Hauptschule and Realschule), 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.

This master's degree programme prepares students for a career in teaching at Haupt- and Realschulen. 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.

The standard period of study for the Master of Education (Hauptschule and Realschule) 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 (12 ECTS credits each),
• of educational sciences (36 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 (36 ECTS credits),
• of educational sciences (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.

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.

• 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

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

• 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

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

Overview application deadlines Master of Education programmes

The Master of Education degree programme for Haupt- und Realschulen prepare students for a teaching position in these schools. It is a prerequisite for teacher training (Referendariat) and a teaching position in Realschulen, Hauptschulen, Oberschulen and Gesamtschulen. 
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.