German

The bachelor’s degree in teacher education covers medieval German language & literature, modern German literature, linguistics & specialist didactics.

The Ordinance for Entrance into the Teaching Profession NRW (Lehramtszugangsverordnung NRW) stipulates that all teacher education graduates must be proficient in two foreign languages, irrespective of whether they are studying a foreign language or not (an exception applies to teacher education degree programmes for vocational colleges). Foreign language proficiency is not a requirement for the teacher education degree programmes but rather for access to the teaching practice placement. If you do not have sufficient language proficiency at the beginning of the course, you can acquire it while studying for your degree. For more detailed information, go to the ZfL Navigation Tool.

The degree aims to provide you with solid and structured knowledge of German, which you can then competently and independently utilise and teach not only in a school setting but also in various other professions. You will learn to properly analyse linguistic, literary and media concepts and processes using a linguistic and textological approach and learn how to reflect on them in their historical and cultural contexts, while understanding their social relevance and their further development. The degree programme thus combines learning an equally broad and differentiated level of specialist and methodological knowledge with learning the first didactic teaching skills tailored to your future profession.

The student council consists of volunteer students who take on various tasks related to representing student interests, in particular by participating in various faculty and university committees and providing support services for students.

You can register on the KLIPS 2.0 portal during the application period. You can find further information on the website of the Student Application and Registration Office. Prospective students who are not EU citizens should visit the website of the International Office for information on the application formalities.

Only for NC subjects: It is possible to submit a special application under certain circumstances, e.g. if you are a minor or an elite athlete or in cases of hardship. You can find information on special applications here.

You can find all of the information you require for enrolling from the Student Application and Registration Office.

All the important information about dates and events before you start your studies have been brought together for you on our pages for first-semester students.

You continue your teacher training studies after the Bachelor of Arts with the Master of Education. The master’s degree is an in-depth degree programme. It is required for the teaching practice element of teacher education.

After completing a teacher training programme, you have the option of furthering your qualifications with a doctorate. There are various paths: directly after teacher training or after a teaching internship. A completed doctorate in subject didactics offers you a variety of further career options in schools, universities, ministries, etc. The decision to pursue a doctoral thesis is a significant life decision and should be carefully considered. The Graduate School for Teacher Education at the University of Cologne will be happy to advise you.

You will usually need a higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung - HZB), e.g. an Abitur or equivalent. You can find out more information on the HZB from the Student Application and Registration Office.

With a foreign higher education entrance qualification, please visit the website of the International Office for more information.

In order to obtain a place on the course, you must register by the stated deadline and will then promptly receive an offer of a place. No selection procedure is carried out (without NC).

Note for prospective students with a foreign higher education entrance qualification: please visit the website of the International Office for more information. It is possible that different regulations apply.

Semesterbeitrag

Students must pay fees every semester that are regularly adjusted to take account of e.g. the costs for local public transport. The semester fees for enrolment or re-registering are

Summer semester 2026: €335.65

You can find out more information on the semester fees from the Student Application and Registration Office.

Zusatzkosten

You can find an overview of the possible costs during your degree on the page about finance and accommodation.