Master of Education (Gymnasium) with integrated practice

This programme is the first part of a three-year training course to become a teacher of Computer Science/Mathematics or Physics/Mathematics. Following the Master’s degree after two years, there is a training phase organised by the SAF (Seminar for Teacher Training and Continuing Professional Development, Freiburg (Gymnasium)). Students are in a remunerated employment relationship.

Short profile

• Qualification: Master of Education and qualification to teach at secondary schools (Gymnasium) in Baden-Württemberg,
• Duration: 4-semester M.Ed. programme (University of Freiburg) plus 1 year of shortened practical training phase for teacher education (SAF Freiburg),
• Credits: 120 ECTS credits,
• Start of programme: only possible in the winter semester.

Benefits

• Full training to become a secondary school teacher in just three years,
• Practical experience right from the start,
• Living allowance while you’re still studying.

Entry requirements

• A completed bachelor’s degree in physics or computer science, or an equivalent qualification,
• 30 ECTS credits in mathematics; up to 6 CP may be made up through a requirement in the master’s programme,
• Not available to holders of a bachelor’s degree in physics or computer science leading to a teaching qualification.

For information on admission requirements and selection criteria, please contact the Degree Programme Coordination

Remunerated employment relationship

Students on the M.Ed. (Gymnasium) with integrated practice are, alongside their studies, in a publicly regulated, remunerated employment relationship and are assigned to a general secondary school in the Freiburg area for a period of three years.

Curriculum

(A) Entry requirements

Admission to the programme is restricted; a maximum of 20 places are available per intake. It is not possible to join the programme at a later stage. The exact regulations can be found in the legally binding Selection Regulations. We have summarised the most important admission requirements here:

1. A first degree from a German university in a Bachelor’s programme of at least six semesters in the fields of Physics or Computer Science, or an equivalent programme of at least three years’ duration at a German or foreign university.
2. The degree referred to in point 1 must impart subject-specific knowledge and skills in Computer Science or Physics, as acquired in the polyvalent dual major degree programme and in the Master of Education programme for teaching at secondary schools in the subjects of Computer Science or Physics. In addition, the degree must include at least 30 ECTS credits from subject-specific modules in Mathematics.
   
3. Applicants must not have forfeited their right to sit the examination in one of the subjects of physics, computer science or mathematics within a Master of Education programme qualifying for teaching at secondary schools, nor must they have definitively failed the First State Examination for teaching at secondary schools in one of the aforementioned subjects.
4. Language skills: Level C2 in German ( accepted evidence ).

(B) Deadlines and procedure for the application process at the University of Freiburg and the Freiburg Regional Council

The M.Ed. (Gymnasium) with integrated practice takes place within the framework of an apprenticeship contract with the State of Baden-Württemberg. You must therefore apply to the University of Freiburg for a place on the programme and, in addition, apply to the Freiburg Regional Council (RP) for the apprenticeship contract. The procedure is as follows:

1. 1 to 31 May: Apply to the University of Freiburg for a place on the course. Letters of admission are issued subject to the applicant being accepted into the training programme.
2. By 15 July: Apply to the Freiburg Regional Council for appointment to the legal relationship. The provisional letter of admission from the University of Freiburg must be submitted with this application.
3. By 30 August: Submit the letter of appointment from the Regional Council to the University of Freiburg.

(C) Documents required for applying to the University of Freiburg

1. A transcript of records or alternative summary of your academic history to date, with a translation if necessary,
2. The degree certificate for the qualifying higher education qualification that forms the basis for admission to the Master’s programme, with a translation if necessary,
3. Confirmation of participation in the teacher orientation test ( CCT test ),
4. evidence of the advisory interviews in accordance with Section 3(1)(7) of the Selection Regulations,
5. where applicable, evidence of practical work experience in accordance with Section 7(2)(2) and (3) or of completed vocational training or a completed Master’s degree in accordance with Section 7(2)(4) and (5),
6. where applicable, appropriate evidence of German language proficiency,
7. the signed confirmation form (generated by HISinOne).

To arrange an appointment for the consultations mentioned in point 4, please contact Degree programme coordination.

(D) Application process at the University of Freiburg

1. If you are not already studying at the University of Freiburg, you must first register as an applicant in the campus management system HISinOne.
2. Prepare all application documents as PDF or JPG files (see (C)), with a maximum of 5 MB per file. Please name the files using your surname and the type of document, e.g. Mueller-Transcript.pdf.
3. From the start of the application period, you can submit your application (the ‘Application for Admission’) in HISinOne. Upload the necessary documents at this stage. The originals must be presented upon enrolment.
4. Once you have completed the form, a confirmation form will be generated, which you must print, sign, scan and upload.
5. Don’t forget to submit the application (the Application for Admission) as well! Simply uploading the documents is not sufficient.
6. The application will be assessed by the Admissions Committee; decisions will be communicated approximately two weeks after the application deadline.

(E) Applying to the RP

As soon as you have received a provisional letter of admission from the University of Freiburg, you should apply to the RP Freiburg for a training placement. You can find further details in the section Paid training placement.

The training contract with the State of Baden-Württemberg

The M.Ed. (Gymnasium) with integrated practice takes place within the framework of a training contract under public law with the State of Baden-Württemberg. This is governed by the Stage Training Ordinance (StufenVO). The monthly maintenance allowance amounts to 60% of the basic trainee allowance for the relevant teaching profession. The appointing authority is the Freiburg Regional Council (RPF).

Application for the apprenticeship

To be considered for the aforementioned public-sector apprenticeship, you must submit an application to the Freiburg Regional Council. The application deadline is 15 July of the year in which your studies begin. The following documents must be submitted:

1. A CV in tabular form, including details of your educational background and professional experience
2. A-level certificate (certified copy)
3. Proof of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (certified copy)
4. Letter of admission to the university’s M.Ed. programme with integrated practice (certified copy or original)
5. A declaration stating whether and where an application for a training position for the Master’s programme or an application for admission to a practical training phase for teacher education has already been submitted, or whether a practical training phase for teacher education has been completed in full or in part, and, if applicable, to what extent
6. Identity card or passport (certified copy)
7. Declaration regarding criminal convictions (Template for download)
8. Declaration and instruction regarding loyalty to the constitution (Template for download)
9. Current proof of measles vaccination (Template for download)
10. Proof of participation in first aid training (min. 9 teaching units, not older than 2 years) (original or certified copy)
11. Extended certificate of good conduct (document type OE)
12. Enrolment confirmation by 15 October at the latest in the year in which your studies commence

Please send the documents, accompanied by a brief cover letter, to:

Regierungspräsidium Freiburg, z. Hd. Frau Wangler, Eisenbahnstr. 68, 79098 Freiburg

(A) School placement I

Start dates for the winter semester 26/27

• Introduction week at SAF: 7–11 September 2026
• School placement I: 14 September 2026 – 9 October 2026

(B) School placement II

Start dates for the winter semester 25/26

• School placement II: 23 February – 27 March 2026

(C) School placement III

• the whole school year

All legally binding documents can be found on the central degree programme website, in particular:

• the admission regulations (Zulassungsordnung), which govern admission and enrolment at the University of Freiburg;
• the selection statutes (Auswahlsatzung), setting out the rules for the admission procedure;
• the study and examination regulations (Studien- und Prüfungsordnung), which set out the basic rules governing the Master of Education (Gymnasium) with integrated practice;
• the module handbook, which describes all modules in detail.

You can find forms, information sheets and similar documents here.

Background

From the 2024/2025 winter semester, Baden-Württemberg will introduce the Master of Education (Gymnasium) with integrated practice degree programmes as part of a pilot scheme in Freiburg, Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. These consist of a four-semester Master’s programme run in close cooperation between universities and teacher training colleges, featuring extensive practical placements. The Master’s programmes are followed by a shortened practical training phase for teacher education to acquire teaching qualifications. In this way, the state is offering a new route into the teaching profession. The Master’s programme is aimed at graduates of relevant Bachelor’s degree programmes without teacher training elements who wish to become teachers.

In close collaboration with the Freiburg Centre for Teacher Training and Continuing Professional Development, the University of Freiburg offers a M.Ed. (Gymnasium) with integrated practice with 20 places for first-year students, leading to a teaching qualification for upper secondary schools in the subject combinations of Physics and Mathematics or Computer Science and Mathematics.

This pathway allows you to obtain a teaching qualification for upper secondary schools after just three years:

• The four-semester Master’s programme (standard duration of study) incorporates elements of the traditional pre-service training, including practical components, which are carried out in close collaboration between the university and the school.
• The Master’s programme is followed by a one-year practical training phase for teacher education, shortened from the standard duration, to obtain the teaching qualification.

The course is undertaken within the framework of a public-law legal relationship (neither an employment contract nor a civil service appointment) with the State of Baden-Württemberg. Entry into the public-law legal relationship is a prerequisite for completing the Master’s programme. A maintenance allowance is provided, which corresponds to approximately 60 per cent of the basic trainee allowance for the relevant teaching profession. Please contact the Degree Programme Coordination for information on the application process, course structure, etc.