- Degree
- First State Exam Regular School
- Admission restriction
- with Numerus Clausus (NC)
- Duration
- 10 Semesters
- Credits/ECTS
- 300
- Teaching language
- German
- Tuition fee
- None
- Semester contribution
- € 305,05
- Start of studies
- Winter semester
- Part-time possible
- No
- Institutions
- Faculty of Biological Sciences
- Institutes of the Faculty of Biological Sciences
The Secondary School Teacher Training (Regelschule) programme has been increased from 270 credit points to 300 credit points as of the winter semester 2024/25 . If you enrol|to matriculate for the winter semester, you will study according to new study and Examination Regulations de. You will complete the specialised study programme in two of your chosen subjects, including subject didactics. Your pedagogical qualification will take place in the educational sciences. You can find more information here de.
Programme content
Biology is formally divided into botany, zoology, physiology and microbiology as well as overarching disciplines such as genetics, ecology and molecular biology. The aim of the teacher training programme is to enable you to teach biology in a modern, experimentally based way. Initially, all of the above-mentioned subject areas|to register for|to take sth.|to enrol for sth. in advanced studies|graduate studies, you can then specialise. Biology didactics provides an insight into the what, how and why of teaching and learning. Here, discipline-specific content is analysed for the classroom and concrete suggestions are made as to how it can be integrated into lessons. You will learn how to correctly categorise and evaluate current topics with a biological background, for example creationism, sustainability and resource management, animal and plant protection, as well as the ethical treatment of plants and animals. Please note the general information on the teacher training programme (course structure, requirements, prospects, preparatory work placement, school placement semester).
Structure
You complete the teacher training programme at the University of Jena with the First State Examination. The standard period of study|regular programme length is ten semesters in total, during which various types of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or tutorials) are offered for the individual modules. The teacher training programme is based on the Jena model, which is characterised by a five-monthExternal link school placement semesterExternal link in the fifth or sixth semester.
You will study two subjects of your choice, including subject didactics. Your pedagogical qualification takes place in the educational sciences de. A total of 300 credit points (ECTS)|ECTS credits (1 ECTS = 30 hours of attendance, preparation and follow-up work|follow-up activity, study and assessed coursework and examinations) must be completed.
Further information on the structure of the teacher training course in Jena can be obtained from the Centre for Teacher Training and Educational Research.
Why study in Jena?
- The Faculty of Biological Sciences offers all those who decide to study Biology as a teacher a challenging, innovative, practice-orientated degree programme that is also steeped in tradition.
- Many courses take place together with students on the Bachelor of Biology programme, which is a requirement for modern teaching with the necessary depth and innovation.
- The knowledge acquired is deepened in internships and worked through in a problem- and action-orientated way.
- If your second teaching subject is not Chemistry or Mathematics, you must also prove|to register for|to take sth.|to enrol for Chemistry and Mathematics in the first four semesters.
What can you do after your studies?
Career opportunities:
- General education: The typical route into school practice is via the preparatory service (traineeship). During this phase, you develop your practical teaching skills on the basis of your degree. Secondary school teachers have very good employment prospects.
- Adult education: Outside the school system, there are opportunities for you to work as a teacher in the subject) area|field of adult education.
The teaching qualification completed in Thuringia is recognised|to credit in all other federal states upon formal request to the respective Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. You can apply to the Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs of other federal states both for the preparatory service (Referendariat) and for employment in the teaching profession (after completing the second state examination). You can obtain more detailed information on this from the respective Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.
Downloads and links for the degree programme
From winter semester 2024/25:
- Recommended study planExternal linkde
- Recommended study plan for educational sciencesExternal linkde
- Module catalogueExternal linkde
- Study and Examination Regulations de
- Örtliche Zulassungsbeschränkungen de
- Admisson procedurepdf, 303 kb · de
- Information on the teacher training programmepdf, 2 mb · de
- Flyer: Study Secondary School Teacher Training (Regelschule)!pdf, 1 mb · de
Until summer semester 2024:
What are we looking for in prospective students?
- Great interest in nature, scientific work and dealing with people
- a keen interest in the interrelationships between the structure and function of organisms
- precise powers of observation
- manual dexterity for dissections and experiments
Admission requirements
-
University entrance qualification
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.
-
Initial internship
In Jena, the teacher training course includes an introductory internship lasting 240 hours. You should reflect on your educational experience in dealing with children and young people in order to review your career aspirations and make a conscious decision. It makes sense to complete the introductory internship before starting your studies, but it can also be completed before registering for the internship semester (before the start of the third semester). You can also have work you have already done with children and young people recognized.
Contacts
Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Am Steiger 3 (Bienenhaus)
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena
Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
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
Carl-Zeiß-Platz 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Bachstraße 18 k
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Fakultät für Biowissenschaften
Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena
Room E010
Semmelweisstr. 12
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Zentrum für Lehrerbildung und Bildungsforschung
Semmelweisstr. 12
07743 Jena
Room StuRa-Arbeitsraum
Carl-Zeiß-Straße 3
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Office hours:
The Central Student Advisory Service will be closed from 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026. We will be happy to assist you again from 5 January 2026!
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.
Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).
Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb
University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Opening hours:
Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)
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
Google Maps site planExternal link