What Degrees Are Available?
State Examination
The state examination is a prerequisite for pursuing a state-regulated profession (such as lawyer, doctor, pharmacist, etc.).
The examinations are conducted by a state examination board. University studies are therefore completed with a ‘state examination’.
Bachelor
Bachelor
Bachelor’s programmes lead to an initial professionally qualifying university degree and are the usual prerequisite for admission to a subsequent Master’s programme. At the University of Freiburg, the standard period of study for a Bachelor’s programme is six semesters with a study load of 180 ECTS credits.
Exceptions are the Liberal Arts and Sciences and Molecular Medicine programmes, which have a standard duration of eight semesters. All Bachelor’s programmes are modular in structure and feature a system of examinations throughout the course of study.
In the Liberal Arts and Sciences programme, the decision as to whether the degree will be a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is made during the course of study, depending on the specialisation.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
The B.A. is the bachelor’s degree awarded in humanities, social science, and linguistics subjects. B.A. degree programmes consist of a major and a minor subject as well as additional practical courses (e.g., seminars) on profession-oriented skills (EB/BOK).
| Major | Minor | EB/BOK |
|---|---|---|
| 120 ECTS | 30-40 ECTS | 20-30 ECTS |
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
The B.Sc. is the bachelor’s degree awarded in natural science, economics, and engineering subjects, as well as in mathematics, psychology, and sports science. Students generally study only a major subject as well as additional practical courses on profession-oriented skills (BOK).
| Major | Minor | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 160-172 ECTS | up to 20 ECTS | 180 ECTS |
Polyvalent Dual-Major Bachelor’s degree with option to teach at secondary schools
To work later as a teacher at a general secondary school or, depending on the subject combination, also at a vocational school, you can study for a polyvalent dual major bachelor’s degree with the option of teaching at secondary schools at the University of Freiburg. This degree programme qualifies you for the subsequent Master of Education in Secondary School Teaching.
Alternatively, this bachelor’s programme can be studied with the individual programme option, which then qualifies you for some subject-specific master’s programmes.
Whether you obtain a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree at the end of your studies depends on the subject in which you write your bachelor’s thesis.
Other degrees
Students of Theology complete either the Ecclesiastical Examination or the Magister Theologiae degree programme.
Abbreviations
HF: major subject
NF: minor subject
EB: supplementary area of study
BOK: profession-oriented skills
ECTS: credits earned during the degree programme
Master
Master
After successfully completing an undergraduate degree programme (usually a bachelor’s degree), students have the option of pursuing a master’s degree and thus embarking on an academic career or achieving professional specialisation. A master’s degree is usually also a prerequisite for doctoral studies.
A master’s degree programme at the University of Freiburg has a standard duration of four semesters and comprises 120 ECTS credits.
Basic structure of the master’s programmes
(does not apply to master’s and postgraduate degree programmes designed as in-service continuing education programmes or to the Master of Education)
| Degree Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) | Overall grade master’s thesis + course-based assessment |
|---|---|
| 1st to 3rd semester | Coursework and course-based assessment (oral and/or written and/or practical) |
| 4th semester | Final examination master’s thesis + oral examination (in some programmes) |
Master of Arts (M.A.)
The Master of Arts is a degree in the humanities, social sciences and social sciences.
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
The Master of Science is a degree in the natural sciences, economics and technical subjects.
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) qualifies graduates for admission to preparatory service for teaching at grammar schools and, depending on the combination of subjects, also for teaching at vocational schools.
The teacher training programme for secondary schools usually covers two subjects. However, in Baden-Württemberg it is also possible to study an additional third subject as a so-called extension subject.
Master’s programme in secondary school teaching – dual
The Master’s programme in secondary school teaching – dual provides entry to the teaching profession in the subject combinations of computer science and mathematics or physics and mathematics for Bachelor’s graduates in physics or computer science without prior didactic or pedagogical knowledge.
In a compact three-year dual training programme supported by mentoring opportunities, the qualification for the teaching profession is designed in a coherent manner and paid for from the first semester onwards. Students receive their Master of Education degree after four semesters at the University of Freiburg.
Several school practice phases at a secondary school in the Freiburg area, as well as a one-year preparatory service at the Seminar for Teacher Training and Further Education (secondary school) in Freiburg following the degree programme, combine intensive supervision and a concise training programme that paves the way to a new and diverse professional field.
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) is a degree in the field of law. At the University of Freiburg, you can study for a Master of Laws in German-French Law and a Master of Laws in German Law (aimed at applicants with a foreign law degree at bachelor’s level).
Continuous education programmes
Continuing education programmes are usually studied alongside work and, depending on the programme, lead to a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree.
The exception is the continuing education programme in taxation, which leads to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.