Bachelor's Degree Programme in Lower Secondary Teaching Profession

"I've had enough, I'm off to make some copies!"

The Bachelor’s degree programme in Secondary Level I Teacher Training is the first step towards becoming a teacher for Years 5 to 10. We provide you with the specific foundation required for teaching in Realschulen, Werkrealschulen or Gemeinschaftsschulen, with particular emphasis on the diverse learning environment. You may also pursue a career in other fields within pedagogy, education and educational sciences.

Application deadline: 15 March or 15 September
Authorisation: not limited to
Duration of study: 6 semesters
Scope: 180 CP
Conclusion: BA or BSc
Start of studies: Winter term or summer term

Information on applying

You can start your degree programme in either the summer or winter semester.

As a teacher for lower secondary education, you will take on the varied and responsible task of guiding, supporting and challenging pupils during the second, formative stage of their educational journey. If you rise to this challenge, you will experience what it feels like to pursue a truly meaningful career – one in which you can have a lasting, positive impact on the future of children and young people, whilst at the same time giving free rein to your ideas and creativity. Good teachers are always in demand, wherever you go!

The best place to start is our dedicated page on teacher training and subjects of study. There you’ll find out everything about the structure of the teacher training programme right through to entering the teaching profession, the range of subjects available, and our flagship initiative: the Teaching and Learning Laboratories. And why you should come and join us in Karlsruhe!

"I wonder if I’m cut out to be a teacher?" If you’ve just asked yourself this question, the teacher aptitude test on the MWK website will help you make up your mind. You’ll also need proof of this for your application to us.

Career prospects

This degree programme leads to a first professional qualification (BA or BSc, depending on your combination of subjects). This opens up a range of opportunities for you:

Progression to the Master’s programme in Secondary Level I Teacher Training, and thus the next step towards a teaching career
Entry into Master’s programmes not related to teacher training
Starting a career in educational professions

The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport regularly publishes information on recruitment opportunities in the state school system.

Entry requirements

Important to note: We have lifted the admission restrictions for this degree programme. However, the following entry requirements still apply:

A general university entrance qualification or equivalent. However, even without an Abitur or with foreign educational qualifications, it is possible to study under certain conditions.
Proof of your participation in the online teacher orientation test for prospective students.
An entrance examination is required for the subjects of Art and Sport. For the subject of Music, we run the ‘AufTakt’ programme, which has won a teaching award. This is our implementation of the pilot scheme at the universities of education in Baden-Württemberg for ‘Music Teacher Training without an Aptitude Test’.
For the subjects of Protestant Theology/Religious Education, Catholic Theology/Religious Education and Islamic Theology/Religious Education, membership of the respective religious community is a prerequisite.

Learning outcomes and skills

You will acquire sound specialist qualifications in educational sciences as well as in-depth expertise in your chosen subjects. You will be able to combine the specialist disciplines and teaching methodologies you have studied and apply them thoughtfully in educational contexts. The focus is on the education, support and upbringing of children and young people aged 10 to 17.

You will develop key competences in areas such as digitalisation and AI, health education, education for sustainable development, the ability to work in a team and to communicate cooperatively with pupils’ parents. We will equip you with intercultural knowledge, diagnostic and support skills, and prepare you for integrative and inclusive teaching in diverse learning groups.

Subjects and specialisations

You will study two (school) subjects in which you wish to teach in the future, as well as the subject area of Educational Sciences.

If you choose both subjects from the group of science subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or Technology (MINT for short) – you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), whilst for all other subject combinations you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).

Only here in Karlsruhe!

At our university, you can study all the subjects available for a teaching qualification in lower secondary education. The range of subjects on offer includes languages, STEM subjects, social sciences, Christian and Islamic religious education, as well as sport, music and art.

About the degree programmes
Special additional offers

In addition to the standard course content, you can take what are known as ‘extracurricular modules’. These are short modules that allow you to focus on topics that particularly interest you.

About the extracurricular activities

Course structure

The degree programme, comprising 180 credit points (CP), has a modular structure and is divided into the following areas of study:

Area of study		CP
Educational Sciences	Educational Sciences Psychology Sociology Fundamental Issues in Education Inclusive Education	34
Subject-specific sciences/subject-specific didactics	Subject 1 Subject area 2	65 65
Practical School Experience	OEP – Orientation and Introductory Placement BFP – Vocational Field Placement	10
Final dissertation	Bachelor’s thesis	6