British & American Studies

Subjects: British Studies;American Studies;Linguistics;Culture

M.Ed. | Master of Education

Course description

Teacher training at Bielefeld University stands out for its practical focus and innovative educational approaches. Practical elements are integrated earlier and more closely with the degree courses compared to many other universities. The Laboratory School and the Oberstufenkolleg, two experimental schools, have been driving school reforms for over 40 years. The Integrated Special Education course, introduced as a pilot project, serves as a model for inclusion-oriented programs at other universities. Depending on their chosen subjects, Bachelor's graduates receive either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), regardless of whether they aim to become teachers. After earning their Bachelor's degree, students can pursue non-teaching careers or a Master's degree in their subject area, provided they meet specific admission requirements. These requirements are detailed in the subject-specific regulations or can be obtained from academic advisors. Students who aspire to become teachers must complete a Master of Education following their school-specific Bachelor's degree to enter the teaching profession.

Application Requirements

Language Requirements

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) "Internet-based" test (IBT) with a score of at least 87 points, − IELTS test with a score of at least 5.5, − Cambridge Test - Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), − First Certificate in English (FCE) with a grade of at least B, − UNIcert Level II, − Completion of a relevant module "Language Acquisition Level B2" at Bielefeld University’s Fachsprachenzentrum (Language Center), − A certificate from a state or state-recognized school or university explicitly confirming English language proficiency at level B2 CEFR. The "Merkblatt zum Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife für Schülerinnen und Schüler der gymnasialen Oberstufe an Gymnasien und Gesamtschulen" (Information leaflet on the Certificate of General Higher Education Entrance Qualification for Students in Upper Secondary Education at Grammar Schools and Comprehensive Schools) of the Ministry for School and Education of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, as of August 2018 is used to evaluate school certificates obtained in Germany.

Qualification Requirements

Access to the Master of Education is granted to those who can provide evidence that they have a first university degree which has a standard period of study of at least six semesters and qualifies them a for profession. Whether the first degree provides suitable access also depends on the kind of teaching qualification to be pursued. A first degree for a subsequent Master of Education programme with the professional goal of a teaching qualification is generally given if the Bachelor degree was completed at Bielefeld University (according to the Bachelor Examination Regulations (German ‘BPO’) for the 2011 study model) with a corresponding orientation (professional goal and choice of subjects). Other degrees may be accepted if applicants can provide evidence of academic achievements for the intended teaching qualification that are substantially equivalent to those of the above-mentioned bachelor degree. For example, these can be degrees granting a teaching qualification for a different school type, with a different choice of subjects, with a subject-specific orientation (i.e. degrees that do not encompass a teaching qualification) a degree from another university.