What is it all about?

In the German Literature major subject for Secondary School Teaching at KIT, you will study language, literature and media from the beginnings of German literature to the present day. You will get to know key epochs, works and genres, deal with linguistic developments and media changes and practice reading texts critically and analyzing them scientifically. You will develop a deep understanding of the history and transformation of language and literature and acquire important methods of linguistics and literary studies.

Subject-related didactics plays an important role in your studies: you will learn how to prepare literary and linguistic content for the classroom and apply methods of competence orientation. From the first year onwards, you will gradually develop your academic and didactic skills - through reading, small exercises, assignments and presentations. This will prepare you not only to understand language and literature, but also to teach them in a lively way later on.

Program structure

The study program is made up of a total of 180 credit points (CP) according to ECTS. These are planned in a standard period of study of 6 semesters, but the actual duration of study can also be longer - the maximum duration of study is 11 semesters.

• two major academic subjects with 78 CP each (subject-specific sciences 70 CP + subject-specific didactics 8 CP)
• Pedagogical Additional Subject including orientation internship (12 CP)
• bachelor's thesis (12 CP)

If you choose Art or Music as one of your major subjects, the duration of your studies will be longer. In this case, you will usually start a year earlier at the respective partner university (Art: Karlsruhe Academy of Fine Arts - AdBK; Music: University of Music Karlsruhe - HfM)

At KIT, you always apply for two major subjects. You will only be admitted to the Bachelor of Education if you are accepted in both major subjects. If you are admitted in both majors, you will automatically be enrolled in the accompanying Pedagogical Additional Subject studies.

At KIT, you can combine almost all majors. The possible subjects are

• Biology
• Chemistry
• German Literarure
• Geography
• Informatics
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences and Technology (NwT)¹
• Philosophy / Ethics
• Physics
• Sports
• Art (AdBK)
• Music (HfM)

Exceptions:

• ¹ NwT can only be combined with Biology, Chemistry, Geography or Physics.
• for Informatics and Physics , a combination with Mathematics is recommended. Students who do not follow this recommendation should take supplementary courses in mathematics, as these form an important basis for understanding the two majors.

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

In the German Literature major, your modules are:

Sample study plan German Literature major

You can find more information on the individual modules and courses in the module handbook. 

Pedagogical Additional Subject 

In addition to your two main academic subjects, the Pedagogical Additional Subject will teach you the fundamentals of educational science, pedagogy, and psychology, and show you why modern education is so important. You will reflect on pedagogical practices, prepare for practical school placements, and review your own career and study choices. You will be supported in this by the KAiAC-T program (Karlsruhe individual Aptitude Check for Teachers): you will complete online self-assessments, develop a portfolio, take part in workshops, and reflect on your experiences in feedback discussions. 

Sample study plan Pedagogical Additional Subject:

Orientation internship

The orientation internship is the first practical phase of the study program to become a teacher. It helps you to reflect on your choice of studies and career and to check whether teaching is a good fit for you.

You complete the three-week internship at a grammar school or vocational school in Baden-Württemberg (except the school where you obtained your Abitur). It is supervised by a training teacher and accompanied by preparatory and follow-up workshops at the Center for Teacher Education (ZLB).

It is recommended to complete the orientation internship in the second or third semester during the lecture-free period. The ZLB offers information events twice a year.

Make your studies international

During your teacher training studies, you can gain experience abroad and intercultural encounters and thus acquire valuable skills for your future teaching career. You can spend a semester abroad through ERASMUS or other international partnerships, do an internship at a German school abroad or work as a foreign language assistant. International networks such as EUCOR or EPICUR also offer special programs for student teachers. Especially if you are interested in a longer stay abroad, it is advisable to obtain information from the Center for Teacher Education or the International Students Office at an early stage.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your bachelor's degree, you will complete your bachelor's thesis - an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It is written in one of your two main academic subjects and deals with a specific topic that requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The maximum duration of the bachelor's thesis is six months.

If you combine your studies with art or music, the bachelor's thesis is always written in the artistic subject.

After completing the university teaching degree (Bachelor of Education and Master of Education) and the subsequent preparatory service, you can teach at general secondary schools, community schools and vocational schools. As a prerequisite for the preparatory service, a 4-week social, company or association internship must be completed, depending on the subject studied, which should preferably be completed during the course of study. There are various opportunities outside of school, for example in foundations and associations, in adult education, at universities, publishing houses and advice centers. A doctorate is also possible.

Characteristic features of Secondary School Teaching Degree B.Ed. at KIT

• wide range of subject combinations
  

• additional practical relevance through student and teaching-learning labs
  

• preparation and support courses in the MINT-Kolleg
  

• Center for Teacher Education (ZLB) as a central point of contact and advice for student teachers on all interdisciplinary topics such as school practice phases, educational science accompanying studies, traineeships, stays abroad, examination law aspects and other concerns
  

• orientation phase and Mentoring@Lehramt program by the ZLB to facilitate the start of studies
  

• program for reflecting on career choices (KAiAC-T)
  

• research-oriented teaching
  

• Center for Teacher Education (ZLB) as an interface to internal and external institutions involved in teacher training
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• orientation week before the start of lectures
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• Lernraum app
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network

Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)

Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
2. (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
4. recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications

For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).

Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.

Language requirements and certificates

You need sufficient knowledge of German for the bachelor's degree program in Secondary School Teaching. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Additional necessary requirements for enrollment

In addition, regardless of your nationality, you must take the teacher orientation test ("Career Counselling for Teachers" (CCT)) in accordance with §60 of the Landeshochschulgesetz (State Higher Education Act) in order to enrol.

In accordance with the Framework Regulation of the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, you need to have knowledge of English and another foreign language in order to be admitted to the preparatory service for the German Literature major. You generally meet this requirement with the gymnasiale Abitur. If you have not already provided the required proof with your Abitur certificate, you can make up for it during your studies. The KIT Language Center offers suitable courses for this.

• all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
  
• Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
  
• Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
  
• Studieninformationtag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
  
• topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
  
• Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
  
• Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
  
• You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.
  

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften
• Zentrum für Lehrerbildung
• Fachstudienberatung
• Vorsitzender des Prüfungsausschusses Lehramt - Fachvertreter für Deutsch
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft GeistSoz

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs