‘Every day is a school day!’—We have probably all heard this saying at one time or another. The foundations for access to education are laid in childhood. This upbringing and education should then encourage people to continue learning on their own in adulthood—ideally throughout their lives. A long process and a broad subject area! This is precisely where educational science comes in.
How do we educate children properly? What do they really need? How can we support adolescents in their development? What is good education anyway? And how can we successfully support people with different learning speeds? In the course of your studies, you will deal with the theory and practice of education and upbringing as well as with the prerequisites, conditions and limits of pedagogical action. The focus is on people's entire lives, more or less from birth to death. You will analyse how people orient themselves and develop in the social environment, and how you can help shape it yourself.
In doing so, you will also take a look back at history: Specifically, you will deal with the educational realities and ideas of the last decades. During your studies, you will also reflect on educational facts and problems and work on various tasks. You will use relevant theories and methods of educational science. The focus is on the fields of adult education and social education / social management.
Doesn't that sound interesting? But beware! This study programme does not train you to be a teacher at schools or an educator, but rather a pedagogical researcher. As a result, this degree will open many professional doors for you.
placeholder image — Platzhalter
Picture: Sophie Bartholome
major subject
Graphic: Sophie BartholomeThe bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study is six semesters, during which various forms of courses (e.g. lectures, seminars or practical courses) are offered for the individual modules.
A multi-subject bachelor’s programme consists of a major subject with 120 credit points (CP for short; 1 CP = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations) and a minor subject with 60 CP.
You can combine the major subject ‘Educational Science’ with all minor subjects offered at the University of Jena. The programme comprises ten compulsory modules and three required elective areas.
The following table shows the possible structure of your studies in the major subject ‘Educational Science’:
| 1st semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester | 5th semester | 6th semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Pedagogy – General Basic Concepts of Educational Science (10 CP) |
Educational Research (10 CP) |
Bachelor thesis (10 CP) |
|||
| Research Methods (10 CP) |
Required elective area I* (10 CP) |
||||
| Learning, Development and Socialization (Educational Psychology) (10 CP) |
Required elective area II* (10 CP) |
||||
| Framework of Education –Socio-educational Basics (10 CP) |
General Pedagogy (10 CP) |
||||
| Subject-specific key qualification (5 CP) |
Internship (20 CP) |
||||
| Project of approx. 100 hours or an offer from the catalogue of General Key Qualifications (5 CP) | |||||
Abbreviations: CP = credit points
* You can choose between the following three required elective areas: Individual Development Processes, Social Pedagogy of the Ages and Locations, and Adult Education. Each area comprises two modules of five CP each.
More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programme [in German]External link.
The Institute of Educational Science at the University of Jena is one of the oldest educational training and research establishments. Its origins go back to the 16th century. The institute is located directly next to the Thuringian State and University Library (ThULB) at Planetarium 4.
Areas of employment for graduates
With this degree, you can work in child and youth welfare, for example.
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)To study Educational Science as a major subject, you have to complete a pre-study internship in a field of pedagogical activity amounting to 240 hours. If necessary, you may also do this internship during your first year of study.
A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.
More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.
Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international
Please submit an up-to-date and complete CV in tabular form. Please provide full details regarding your schooling and academic education to date. You can find more information hereExternal link.
Please upload the school certificate confirming your university entrance qualification to our application portal. You can find more information hereExternal link.
Please upload transcripts of records for all previous periods of study and degrees, as well as, if applicable, your degree certificate, to the portal.
Proof of sufficient German proficiency must be provided for all German-language degree programmes. The following certificates are recognized as proof of proficiency by Friedrich Schiller University Jena:
Please note: We strongly recommend that you submit the required proof of German proficiency at the time of your application.
If you do not yet have the required language certificate, you may apply for our DSH course starting from German level B1. This course ensures optimal language preparation and also gives you the opportunity to get to know Jena while benefiting from student status.
A translation into German or English must be submitted for every application document that was not originally issued in German or English. These translations must be prepared by an authorized translation office.
Applicants with university degrees from India, Vietnam, or the People’s Republic of China must submit an APS certificate.
Applicants from the following countries must provide proof of their university entrance examination:
Room 301
Am Planetarium 4
07743 Jena
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Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena
Telephone hours:
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Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.
Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Am Planetarium 4
07743 Jena
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University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
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We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.
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University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
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Opening hours:
Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
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You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.
Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
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