B.Ed. and M.Ed. in Teacher Education

The University of Mannheim is an excellent place to study teacher education. The courses are varied and visiting scholars from international universities give seminars on a regular basis. You have the opportunity to spend a part of your program abroad. There are numerous partner universities for you to study at. You are free to choose the country and university you want to go to. However, you have to go through an application process. Depending on the continent and country, the deadlines may vary, so be sure to check the relevant websites and submit your application as early as possible.

The campus is very special because you will study in one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Germany. The departmental student committees and student organizations of the university organize a variety of events each semester. One of the probably most famous events is the Schneckenhof party, which takes place every Thursday on the university campus. In addition, you can meet new people at poetry slams, flunkyball tournaments, and much more. The University of Mannheim has also a great sports program with mostly free courses and a nearby gym you can go to for little money.

Mannheim might not have a famous historic city center, but it is known for its multicultural and cordial citizens. People of many different nationalities live in Mannheim, which is why there is a wide range of restaurants with Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. There are also great places to explore, such as the Rhine promenade and the Luisenpark. Another plus is that Mannheim is easily accessible by car or public transport. The city has very good train and bus connections. You can always visit your hometown or take a break from the stress of studying and get on a plane in Frankfurt within half an hour. You will feel at home in Mannheim in no time.

It was a very good choice to study at the University of Mannheim. I enjoy my studies a lot!

After completing your bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education, you can choose between a variety of master's programs. However, if you want to become a teacher, you have to complete the Master of Education program. This program will take an average of four semesters, including an internship semester. Every master’s program has its own application process, i.e. you can transfer to another university after completing your bachelor’s degree, if you wish. If you feel comfortable in Mannheim, however, I would advise you to stay here. Each Bachelor of Education program is structured differently and the modules may differ. So, if you transfer to another university, you might need to take additional bachelor’s level courses or might not even meet the admission requirements.

After you graduate, you will start the preparatory service (Referendariat), which takes eighteen months in Baden-Württemberg. Of course, you may do this in another city or even another federal state. Once you have completed these steps, you can teach at secondary schools (Gymnasium) and vocational schools.

You can also pursue a doctorate and start a career in research.

Needless to say, every profession has its stereotypes. For example, many people claim that teachers are on vacation all the time, but this is not true. The Teacher Education program at the University of Mannheim alone is time-consuming and very demanding. In addition to teaching at school, a lot of time is spent preparing lessons, creating and correcting exams, and going on school trips. That’s why it’s important not to be misled by such statements. After all, you’re not doing this job for the vacation, but because you want to teach children and adolescents.

We have a great challenge ahead of us because classrooms are becoming more and more diverse. We will get to know many new cultures. Teaching is not for everyone. That’s why you need to know what it means to convey a subject and to work with children until they reach the age of 18.