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 6 semesters and continue with your master's programme (4 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

The University of Konstanz offers the Master of Education French for future school teachers. ​​​​​​​

Start of study

Winter semester

Study structure

You will 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's programme generally lasts for 6 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 4 semesters. A combination of three subjects is not available in the bachelor's 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 3-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.

These documents will support you in planning your studies:

• Module guide
• Examination regulation

At the University of Konstanz, you have a broad range of opportunities and training options that complement your study programme, for example orientation programmes to support new students, learning guidance, language courses, a data and information literacy programme as well as options promoting career-oriented skills and social commitment.

• GoMINt – orientation programme in STEM subjects
• Writing Centre – writing tutoring, joint writing sessions and workshops
• Language courses at the Language Institute
• Learning guidance, study tips, time management – workshops offered by the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)

• Advanced Data and Information Literacy Track (ADILT) – programme can be completed with a certificate
• Transfer – practical projects (research, business, politics and society)
• qualification N – Sustainability Certificate at the University of Konstanz

• Profil+ – programme for career skills (German skills required)
• Career Passport – programme for career skills (for international students)
• Advice on career entry, opportunities and workshops from Career Service

Internship
During your bachelor's programme you will complete a 3-week orientation internship and during your master's programme a 12-week practical teaching semester.

Stay abroad
A period of study abroad is always highly recommended. Equivalent coursework and academic performance assessments acquired during your stay will be recognised. You can spend semesters abroad at numerous European and non-European universities. The university promotes study abroad via the ERASMUS programme and numerous other exchange programmes.

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

• Information page for the Bachelor of Education
• Orientation Page Teaching Degree
  Information page on the B.Ed. Linguistics
• Lecture Recordings (Linguistics)

General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or recognised 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.

Further information can be found in the admission regulations.

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.

French language skills, basic knowledge of Latin and basic knowledge of another Romance language (e.g. Italian, Spanish). French skills: documentation of either 4 years of classes in secondary education or 3 years of classes in the last 3 years before completing your general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur). Required final grade: "ausreichend/sufficient" or better. Alternatively you can submit a certificate level B2 of the Common European framework of reference for languages (CEFR). Basic knowledge: documentation of 2 years of classes in secondary education, final grade "ausreichend/sufficient" or better. Alternatively you can document basic knowledge of the second Romance language through a certificate of level A2. You can catch up on missing language skills during the first semesters, either at our Language Institute (SLI) or the Department of Literature, or a suitable, accepted external provider. We do not carry out our own language tests to determine your aptitude.

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. 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.

The languages of instruction and examinations are German and French.

You enjoy reading literary and academic texts. You are prepared to deal with difficult academic texts. You are deeply interested in the French language from its origins to the present day. You are willing to scientifically and methodically deal with language and literature and are interested in history and culture in the French language area.

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 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.

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 (*).

An application is possible during the following period: 07.05. - 15.09.
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 .

The Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) can help you with general questions about finding the right study programme as well as when you are concerned or unsure about your studies. We will be happy to advise you and support you with a wide range of services.

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
Room: D 409 – 412a
Make an appointment: termin.zsb@uni-konstanz.de

Questions related to the content or organization of the study programme:
Departmental student advisory service   
Florian Schönhuber
Contact person room G 110
Phone: +49 7531 88-4108
Email: lehramt.sprachen@uni.kn