Political Science – Bachelor of Education (Secondary education)
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This programme offers you the professional requirements to teach political science in secondary education at a German Gymnasium.
When studying political science you will be mainly concerned with the political perspectives of social needs, interests and objectives. You will acquire knowledge about political institutions and their inner structures. You will become acquainted with theories that explain how political power is legitimised. And you will attend classes on conflict resolution and consensus building. In so doing, you will learn how to analyse political decision-making processes and critically appraise mechanisms within our society.
Overview
Degree | Bachelor of Education (Secondary education) |
---|---|
Programme start | Winter semester |
Period of study | 6 semesters |
Application period | 9.5. - 15.7. |
Admission restrictions | yes |
Number of places | 27 |
Why study Political Science in the University of Konstanz?
You will be studying with internationally distinguished professors and lecturers at one of the most reputable departments of politics and public administration, both nationally and internationally. Another strong feature of the study programme is the creation of solid foundations in social scientific research methods. This enables you to critically assess current research and provides you with the foundations for independent scientific work. The department’s strong research profile provides numerous opportunities to work together on research projects. In addition to this, the department cultivates good contacts with universities within and outside Europe, so that you have a wide choice of partner universities for a semester abroad.
Content
Prospects and opportunities
Career prospects
Studying teacher education at the University of Konstanz will qualify you first and foremost for a teaching post in the state of Baden-Württemberg. When choosing the subjects you wish to study, you should note that your employment chances will partly depend on your combination of subjects. Normally, you will complete your bachelor’s degree after six semesters and continue with your master's programme (four semesters). You will then complete 18 months as a trainee teacher (Referendariat) at a school in Baden-Württemberg. After successfully completing your 'Referendariat', you will be fully qualified to teach at a German Gymnasium (secondary school). Your professional post will preferably be at a school in the state of Baden-Württemberg. In principle, there is also the possibility of applying for a position in other federal states (among other things, this depends on the subject combination required by each specific state).
You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.
Graduate studies
Starting in the winter semester 2017/18, the master’s programme in political science will be offered for future school teachers.
Programme structure
Programme start
Winter semester
Academic structure
Students always have to study two major subjects. You may freely combine your choice of subjects from those offered at the University of Konstanz. But you should note that some subject combinations demand a higher level of organisation and work. This is why we recommend you to seek more information and personal advice before entering your application. The bachelor programme generally lasts for six semesters and is concluded with a bachelor thesis. To continue with the master's programme, you will need to make a new application. The master's programme generally lasts for four semesters. A combination of three subjects is not available in the bachelor programme. It might, however, be possible to study a third subject for future teaching purposes during the master’s programme.
The study programme for future teachers consists of the following elements:
- Academic studies: Studies in both of the future teaching subjects
- Teaching methodology: Acquisition of subject-specific theories and methods for teaching the subject matter
- Educational science: Acquisition of educational and other qualifications relevant to a teaching position
- Practical experience: During your bachelor's programme you will complete a three-week orientation internship and during your master's programme a 12-week practical teaching semester.
You can find an exemplary structure of the study programme in this table.
Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.
Mandatory main subject
Internship and study abroad
Internships
During your bachelor's programme you will complete a three-week orientation internship and during your master's programme a 12-week practical teaching semester.
Study abroad
A period of study abroad is always highly recommended. You can spend semesters abroad at numerous European and non-European universities. The university promotes study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes.
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.
- Three Questions to Niklas, B.A. Politics and Public Administration
- Three Questions to Friederike, B.A. Politics and Public Administration
- Three Questions to Fernando, B.A. Politics and Public Administration
Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.
Requirements
What interests and skills should I have?
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, conflict ability, resilience and the ability to inspire and motivate. These skills will also help you when interacting with parents.
You need to have a personal interest in current political issues and the desire to address them.
Language skills
Foreign language skills
You do not have to proof any foreign language skills. However, good English skills are mandatory since the majority of the course literature is in English as well as the instruction language of some of the lectures and seminars.
German language skills
International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4. Alternatively, other language tests or school certificates recognized as equivalent can be used as proof of the required German language skills. 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
Usually, the language of instruction is German. However, some courses are held in English.
Admission requirements
General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or equivalent.
You will find the current regulations for the selection process in the admission regulations.
Mandatory online self-test
Before applying for our Bachelor of Education programme you need to take an online self-test. This test will help you to decide whether teaching and working daily with children and adolescents is suitable for you. Please send in your test certificate together with your application papers.
Fees
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
This study programme has admission restrictions.
An application is possible during the following period: 9.5. - 15.7. (winter 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
During the online application process, you will need to enter various kinds of information (school grades, attendance periods etc.) and upload various PDF documents. Please make sure that you have the relevant documentation ready. This may include:
- your Abitur certificate (German general higher education entrance qualification)
- documentation of any volunteering you may have done (FSJ, FÖJ etc.)
- any documentation about vocational training you may have completed
- any other required documents (medical certificate etc.)
An electronic assistant will guide you through the application process. Required fields are marked by an asterisk (*).
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