Before your studies

We are delighted that you are interested in enrolling in one of our teacher education programmes. Here you’ll find information on the programmes and subjects offered and on the application process at the University of Freiburg.

Please note: The University of Freiburg only offers degree programmes for Gymnasium (a certain type of secondary school in Germany) and vocational schools. A teacher education programme for these types of schools requires the study of two (school) subjects. In addition, a C1-level of German language proficiency is required.

Degree Programmes

Subjects Offered

Information for teachers trained outside Germany

Degree programmes in teacher education for Gymnasium

The path to becoming a teacher in Baden-Württemberg generally involves completing a bachelor’s and a master’s degree programme relating to teacher education and a subsequent practical training phase. A teacher education programme includes studies in (at least) two subjects and their subject didactics, as well as educational sciences and school practice.

The University of Freiburg offers degree programmes in teacher education for the school type Gymnasium. If you wish to work later as a teacher at a Gymnasium, at a comprehensive school (Gemeinschaftsschule), or – depending on your combination of subjects – at a vocational school (Berufliche Schule), you must complete the polyvalent dual major bachelor’s degree programme with teacher education track. This degree programme qualifies you for the subsequent Master of Education programme. However, it also enables you to qualify for master’s degree programmes with no relation to teacher education.

The Master of Education programme is followed by a 1.5-year practical training phase for teacher education (called Vorbereitungsdienst or Referendariat in German), which concludes with a state examination.

The graphic shows the course of study for secondary school teaching.

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Path Teacher Education UFR (243 KB), 18. March 2026

Subjects offered at the University of Freiburg

You can select from 21 subjects at the University. The subject Music can be studied at the Freiburg University of Music in combination with a subject at the University of Freiburg. Click here for more information on the subjects we offer.

Gruppe junger Menschen vor dem Eingang des alten Kollegiengebäude I. Im Hintergrund sieht man die Glasfassade der neuen Universitätsbibliothek.

What distinguishes the teacher education programmes at the University of Freiburg

The teacher education programme in Freiburg is distinguished by a combination of several closely interconnected components: Subject studies, subject-specific didactics, educational sciences, and the practical phases are coordinated in terms of content and organization and interconnected. This puts you in the position to reflect on the course content from these different perspectives and to view it in the broader context of the teaching profession.

The University of Freiburg and the University of Education Freiburg cooperate on teaching in teacher education programmes. Students of teacher education at the University of Freiburg therefore take courses at the University of Education Freiburg and benefit from its subject-didactic and educational expertise.

In addition, we work together closely with Freiburg’s seminars for the training and continuing education of teachers, as well as with schools, thus ensuring that the degree programme is closely coordinated with the subsequent practical training phase.Together we help you to develop and extend your professional competence step by step throughout your education and training.

Students with particular interests can also take advantage of numerous additional qualification courses that provide general competencies for the teaching profession or opportunities to delve deeper into your subjects of study – for example on the topics of sustainability, literature and theatre, digital competencies, and German as a second language.

The School of Education FACE, a joint academic institution of the University of Freiburg, the University of Education Freiburg, and the Freiburg University of Music, promotes young talent in teacher education programmes and provides opportunities for doctoral studies.

You have questions or need help finding information?

Our advisory service for teacher education programmes is happy to help: lehramtsberatung@zv.uni-freiburg.de

How you can reach us