Study Childhood Education in Germany: All study programmes & cities, campus study, dual study, online study

Childhood educators deal with the education and upbringing of children. Graduates of Bachelor's degree programmes in Childhood Education are entitled to use the professional title of state-recognised childhood educator in addition to their Bachelor's degree.

In the meantime, there are some private universities of applied sciences that offer NC-free Bachelor's degrees in Childhood Education and matching Master's programmes. Here I present all study programmes at private universities, both on-campus study programmes in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, as well as dual study programmes, part-time study programmes and online study programmes.

Which university is the best?

Courses of study in childhood education and pedagogy are now offered by several private universities or universities of applied sciences. You should find out which university suits you best on the basis of various criteria:

• Location. Of course, the location of the university plays an important role. Important to know: Some universities, such as the IU International University of Applied Sciences or the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, offer their degree programmes in several cities in Germany, or even nationwide in the form of online degree programmes.
• Study contents and specialisations. When choosing your university to study education, always pay attention to the study contents or modules of your desired degree programme and to the specialisation options.
• Costs. Of course, tuition fees also play an important role in choosing the best university for your education studies. Particularly favourable are usually dual study programmes, where the training company or the practice partner takes over the tuition fees.

Here is a brief portrait of the universities offering courses in the field of childhood education:

IU International University of Applied Sciences: With over 100,000 enrolled students, IU is the largest university in Germany. The university is based in Erfurt, but IU also offers its campus programmes at many other locations throughout Germany. In addition to the campus programmes in Business Administration & Management, among others, the university offers over 100 distance learning programmes as well as a large number of part-time and dual study programmes, including in the field of education.

Fresenius University of Applied Sciences: Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest private universities of applied sciences in Germany. In the winter semester 2021/2022, more than 18,000 students were enrolled at the university. The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is located in Idstein, Hesse, and also has campuses in Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin and New York. The university mainly offers degree programmes in the fields of economics and natural sciences. Special feature: Many courses are not only offered as attendance courses, but also as distance learning or evening study courses.

European Distance Learning University Hamburg: The Euro-FH is a state-recognised, private university of applied sciences based in Hamburg. The university is part of the Stuttgart-based Klett Group and was founded in 2003. In the winter semester 2019/2020, a total of 7,523 students were enrolled at the Euro-FH. The university predominantly offers distance learning programmes in the field of economics, both Bachelor's and Master's degrees. In the field of education, for example, the university offers a Bachelor's degree in Childhood and Youth Education.

FHM University of Applied Sciences: FHM is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Bielefeld/North Rhine-Westphalia with further campuses in Bamberg, Berlin, Hanover, Cologne, Pulheim, Rostock and Schwerin. In the winter semester 2019/2020, a total of 4,721 students were enrolled at FHM. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Primary and Elementary Education at its Leipzig campus.

Medical School Berlin: Medical School Berlin (MSB) is a private, state-recognised university. The university was founded in 2012 and is located in Berlin-Wilmersdorf on Rüdesheimer Straße. In WS 2019/2020, a total of 1,650 students were enrolled at the university. The MSB consists of 2 faculties: the Faculty of Natural Sciences is a university faculty, and the Faculty of Health Sciences is a university of applied sciences faculty. The MSB currently offers 2 degree programmes in the field of early support and intervention.

European University of Applied Sciences: The EUFH is a state-recognised, private university of applied sciences located in Brühl, North Rhine-Westphalia. The EUFH was founded in 2001. 2,619 students were enrolled in the winter semester 2020/2021. The EUFH offers the 2 dual degree programmes Primary School Education and Childhood Education, among others, at its locations in Cologne and Berlin.

SRH University of Applied Health Sciences: The SRH University of Applied Health Sciences is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Gera/Thuringia. The university was founded in 2007 and a total of 1,241 students were enrolled at SRH Gera in the winter semester 2019/2020. The university offers a degree programme in inclusive childhood education at its location in Gera.

Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences: Alanus University is a state-recognised, private art university based in Alfter/North Rhine-Westphalia. The university was founded in 1973. In the winter semester 2020/2021, a total of 1,694 students were enrolled at the university.

University of Social Work and Pedagogy: The HSAP is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Berlin. The university was founded in 2013 and a total of 337 students were enrolled in the winter semester 2020/2021. The focus of the university is on degree programmes in the fields of social work and education. Accordingly, the HSAP offers a dual Bachelor's degree in Childhood Education and a part-time Master's degree in Inclusive Education.

Kolping University of Applied Sciences: The Kolping University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Cologne. The university was founded in 2019 and currently offers degree programmes in Social Work, Health Psychology, Gerontology and Childhood Education. The B.A. in Childhood Education is a part-time attendance programme.