History – Master of Education (Secondary education)

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The Master of Education (MEd) in History follows the Bachelor of Education (BEd) and complements your teacher education Lehramt Gymnasium. After earning your MEd, you can be admitted to the teacher traineeship (“Referendariat”).

Studying history at the University of Konstanz means learning about everything from antiquity to the Middle Ages and through to modern and contemporary history while pursuing your own special interests. The study programme links different historical epochs with region-specific (e.g. Ancient Near East, Eastern Europe) and thematic (e.g. economic and social history) focus areas. The emphasis is on topics such as world history, economic history, Eastern European history, the history of science or media history and so on. The University of Konstanz’s historians will introduce you to lost cultures, ways of life and mental horizons as well as the differences and similarities they share with today’s world. All of this is based both on current research literature and historical sources, various forms of which (e.g. material sources, written sources, images) you will learn to handle in small seminar groups. In addition to subject-related content you will have classes in didactics and education.

Overview

Degree Master of Education (Secondary education)
Programme start Winter semester & Summer semester
Period of study 4 semesters
Application period 9.5. - 15.7. | 29.11. - 15.1.
Admission restrictions no

Why study History in the University of Konstanz?

The study of history at the University of Konstanz has a firm emphasis on research and theory as well as a very strong international orientation. This means that our students have a large range of options when choosing their preferred courses and shaping their individual study programme. In addition to classic teaching formats such as lectures or seminars, we also offer innovative course formats such as semester-spanning projects, e.g. preparing a museum exhibition, editing a collection of important sources or a research publication. The curriculum is rounded out with epoch-spanning seminars held by several lecturers who discuss the seminar content both with you and with each other. You will be studying in small groups and be introduced to practical research at an early stage in your studies. In all of this you have access to close supervision as well as various options allowing you to tailor your study programme to your individual interests and needs. Students can spend a semester abroad which will open up new perspectives – personally as well as professionally. The University of Konstanz’s Writing Centre offers research and writing seminars to strengthen your scientific writing over the entire course of your studies. There are also numerous opportunities for you to learn a new language or to improve your existing skills, above all at the university’s Language Institute (SLI).

Content

Prospects and opportunities

Career prospects

Once you have earned the degree Master of Education you can apply for the Referendariat (18 months of teacher traineeship) in Baden-Württemberg (and under certain conditions in other federal states, too). At the end of the Referendariat you will take the Staatsexamen (state examination). Having passed this state examination, you may apply to work at a public school in Baden-Württemberg (and, in certain circumstances, in other federal states).

You will find further career perspectives in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Here, alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their personal career entry.

Programme structure

Programme start

Winter semester & Summer semester

Academic structure

The master’s programme usually takes four semesters to complete. Graduates are awarded the academic degree of “Master of Education”. You will be taking two major subjects as well as classes in educational science including a practical teaching semester. A total of 120 ECTS credits (cr) is required.

You can find an overview of teacher education here.

Erweiterungsfach (additional subject)
If you are enrolled in a Master of Education programme, you may opt to study an Erweiterungsfach (additional subject) as a separate master's programme. You can start taking courses in your additional subject during your Bachelor of Education programme and even complete the relevant coursework and performance assessments. These may be recognised once you start your Master of Education programme. Please consult the director of the departmental administration first.

You can study one of these as additional subjects:

  • Chemistry (90 ECTS credits)
  • Computer science (120 ECTS credits)
  • German (120 ECTS credits)
  • English (120 ECTS credits)
  • French (120 ECTS credits)
  • Italian (120 ECTS credits)
  • Latin (90 or 120 ECTS credits)
  • Mathematics (120 ECTS credits)
  • Philosophy / Ethics (120 ECTS credits)
  • Physics (120 ECTS credits)
  • Russian (120 ECTS credits)
  • Spanish (120 ECTS credits)

  • The following subjects are not available for study as additional subjects: biology, political science, sport, economics.


Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.

Internship and study abroad

Internships

You will complete a practical teaching semester (12 weeks) during the master's programme.

Study abroad

We recommend that you spend at least a few months abroad to acquire language skills and intercultural competencies that supplement your study programme. Your departmental student advisory service and the International Office will be happy to support you in this.

Impressions from students and lecturers

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

Requirements

What interests and skills should I have?

When studying history it is useful to have a good deal of curiosity for cultures that are distant in time, and often in geography, and to enjoy critically inquiring into historical sources. Since these sources form the foundations of the study programme, you will be doing a lot of reading (historical sources and the relevant research literature). Diverse language skills, and especially the ability to read sources and research literature in different languages, are important for successful studies. In addition to this, and in view of the many options, you need to be able to work independently and in a well-structured way.

As a teacher you need a variety of skills and competences. You should of course be fascinated by the contents of your subject, and at the same time enjoy sharing your knowledge with your young students. You will need to be able to develop teaching concepts, sometimes with your teacher colleagues, and you will need to demonstrate a high level of educational skills in your daily work with children and adolescents. In addition to this, you will need a variety of social competencies. These include communication skills, the ability to deal with conflict, resilience and the ability to inspire and motivate. These skills will also help you when interacting with parents. You are basically responsible for creating a positive learning environment which enables your school students to develop and become well-equipped for the challenges of the future.

Language skills

Skills in English (level B2), another foreign language (level A2) and the required qualification in Latin (Latinum). You can document these by e.g. your higher education entrance qualification certificate (Abiturzeugnis or equivalent). Alternatively you can catch up on missing language skills at our Language Institute (SLI) during the first semester.

Required German language skills
International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent. Alternatively you can submit recognised school certificates. The University of Konstanz does not offer preparatory German language courses or approved German language exams. For this reason, you must submit accredited proof of your German language skills along with your application.

Language(s) of instruction

The language of instruction and examinations is German. Courses may be held in English or another language, too.

Admission requirements

We will publish the admission requirements soon.

Fees

Semester fee

All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Application and application documents

An application is possible during the following period: 9.5. - 15.7. (winter semester) and 29.11. - 15.1. (summer semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.

Application documents

You will find an overview of the required application documents in your application for admission, which you will receive at the end of your online application.

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