Dual studies Childhood Education (B.A.) – IU International University of Applied Sciences

👉 The Dual Study Programme in Childhood Education at IU is suitable for individuals who work with children and want to accompany pedagogical processes practically and scientifically. The usual requirement is a university entrance qualification or a professionally recognised qualification of equal value, as well as a practice partner contract for 20 hours of practical placement per week. The study programme combines subjects such as sociology, psychology, and social law with practical modules from childhood education. It takes seven semesters, includes practice-reflective components, and culminates in a bachelor's degree. Graduates can work in places like daycare centres, schools, family counselling, or in leadership roles. The practice partner covers the tuition fees.

At a Glance

🏫 University IU International University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Erfurt (Germany)
Practical relevance, international orientation or maximum flexibility: IU International University (IU) prepares over 100,000 students for the global job market. It brings together under its umbrella more than 100 study programs offered in twi independent university areas: the IU Dual Study Program and the IU Distance Learning Program. IU offers students a network of renowned practical partners in the business world: more than 15,000 companies have already successfully cooperated with IU, including ZURICH Versicherungen or Motel One. IU, which was founded in 2000, is now represented in over 40 cities in Germany.
📋 Study Format Dual studies
🎓 Field of Study Social SciencesChildhood Education
📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 7 Semesters
🎯 ECTS 210 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Introduction to scientific work for education and social sciences, Introduction to childhood pedagogy, Early childhood development, Societal conditions of pedagogy, Health promotion and prevention in childhood pedagogy, Inclusion, Integration and migration, Intercultural and ethical action competencies, Child protection in cases of child abuse and neglect, Methodological competencies in childhood pedagogy, Pedagogy: historical, conceptual and terminological foundations, Pedagogical relationships and professionalism, Psychological and neurobiological basics, Educational and pedagogical areas and their didactics, Qualitative research methods, Quantitative research methods, Quality management in social and pedagogical fields, Social history, Philosophy, Ethics, Social law, Social economy and socioeconomics, Social inequality and diversity, Sociology, Practical project: Field exploration and networking in the social and pedagogical context, Practical project: Counselling and communication in social and pedagogical fields, Practical project: Didactical and methodological action competencies in childhood pedagogy, Practical project: Digital tools and AI for pedagogical and social professions, Practical project: Parenting and educational partnership, Practical project: Self-reflection in pedagogical fields, Practical reflection 1: Childhood pedagogy, Practical reflection 2: Childhood pedagogy, Practical reflection 3: Childhood pedagogy, Practical reflection 4: Childhood pedagogy, Practical reflection 5: Childhood pedagogy, Practical reflection 6: Childhood pedagogy, Bachelor thesis, Colloquium
📚 Electives Child protection and trauma pedagogy, counseling, coaching and conflict management, selected topics and areas of child and youth welfare, cultural and media work in school and extracurricular contexts, sexuality and sexualized violence in social work, therapeutic pedagogy in childhood and adolescence, cultural and media pedagogy & digital education, management in social institutions, early childhood education from an international and social spatial perspective, health education in early childhood education.
📍 Location Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus
📅 Enrollment Winter or summer semester
🔗 More Info https://www.iu.de/en/

Who is the Dual Study of Childhood Education suitable for?

The Dual Study of Childhood Education is aimed at all those who want to advocate for the development, education, and promotion of children. If you enjoy working with children, are interested in questions of upbringing, and want to practically apply your knowledge in sociology, psychology, and education, you will find a suitable opportunity in this course of study. The program also provides you with optimal conditions by combining theory and practice if you aim to work in social institutions in the long term or take on leadership roles in the educational field.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • General university entrance qualification (A-levels), subject-specific university entrance qualification, or technical college entrance qualification: Entitle you to direct entry into the program.
  • Master craftsman's certificate or equivalent professional training: An alternative access route without A-levels.
  • Completed vocational training with at least 2 years of professional experience: Opening access on a case-by-case basis after an individual assessment (study without A-levels possible).

Additional requirements:

  • Practice partner contract: For the Dual Study, you need a contract for at least 20 hours of practical work per week with a suitable company\/social institution of your choice.
  • Online application: The application must be submitted at least 1 month before the chosen start of the studies. Entry is possible for the summer or winter semester.

Good German language skills are required for the study. There is no NC (Numerus Clausus).

Personal Requirements

  • Joy and interest in working with children: An important requirement for successfully dealing with young people.
  • Empathy, patience, and communication skills: Particularly relevant in pedagogical practice and in contact with children, families, and colleagues.
  • Self-motivation and sense of responsibility: Independent work and reliability will help you especially in the dual practice model.
  • Ability to work in a team: Close collaboration in multiprofessional teams is part of the study and professional everyday life.
  • Interest in social science and educational topics: Engagement with research questions and methods in the field of childhood and development is required and promoted.
  • Willingness to engage with societal issues: Reflective work regarding inclusion, equal opportunities, and educational issues.

You should be open to practical learning and be able to engage with new insights and various work areas – from kindergartens to facilities for youth assistance.

Studying Dual Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education: What You Learn in the Programme

In the Dual Bachelor's Degree Programme in Childhood Education, you deal with central fields of knowledge in sociology, psychology, education, and social law, always with a focus on childhood educational issues. The goal is to develop both fundamental and specialized pedagogical skills and apply them directly.

  • Foundations: You acquire comprehensive theoretical knowledge on topics such as early childhood educational processes, developmental psychology, family and social structures.
  • Educational Practice: You learn how to empower parents in their educational tasks and actively shape educational processes.
  • Social and Legal Aspects: Content includes, for example, social law and quality management in social and educational fields.
  • Specialisations: Elective modules allow for individual specialization – for example, in health promotion or supervision, intervision, and coaching.
  • Research Orientation: Introduction to scientific methods, culminating in a bachelor's thesis (10 ECTS points).

At the end, you will have a broad theoretical knowledge and practical skills to individually support children and professionally accompany care situations.

How the Dual Study Programme in Childhood Education Works

At IU, you study in a dual study programme in one of the following two study models: In the Dual Study Programme, classes are held on campus for two days a week – occasionally also online via live video conference. Subsequently, the learned material is deepened using learning materials. Dual myStudies combine flexible self-study with digital learning formats. Through myCampus, you independently acquire the theory – supported by innovative learning materials and Syntea, your personal AI learning assistant. Optionally, you can participate in weekly virtual accompanying events and use other interactive live formats to deepen your knowledge.

The study programme is designed as a dual system in which you link theory and practice. Depending on the location, the two study models are open to you:

  • Dual Study Programme: Two days of presence per week on campus or online, complemented by independent deepening phases with digital learning materials. Practical phases with 20 hours per week at a practical partner of your choice ensure direct application of knowledge.
  • Dual myStudies: Self-study is done flexibly with digital learning materials and a learning AI, complemented by regular virtual accompanying events. Here too, 20 hours of practical training per week are planned.
  • Practice Modules: Obligation for regular online practice reflections.
  • Duration:
    • Dual Study Programme: 7 semesters, 180 ECTS
    • Dual myStudies: 7 semesters, 210 ECTS
  • Start of Studies: Winter or Summer Semester

All programmes at IU are system accredited and state-recognised.

Starting Your Career with a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education: Your Career Perspectives

As a graduate of the Dual Bachelor's Degree Programme in Childhood Education, diverse career fields open up to you that go far beyond working in child care centres:

  • Educational Work: Participation in daycare centres, all-day schools, after-school care centres, multi-generational houses, children's recreational facilities, or facilities for educational support services (HZE).
  • Management Tasks: Assuming leadership positions and management tasks in social and educational institutions. You design concepts, promote educational professionals, and implement innovative educational concepts.
  • Family Work: Counselling as a family helper, parenting advisor, or as an expert for working with families.
  • Projects and Consultation: Development and implementation of projects to promote children, advising teams and institutions in the childhood educational context.

Due to the practice-oriented training, after graduation, you are able to enter directly into responsible positions – the demand for qualified childhood educators is high.

Studying at Many Locations – Also Possible Flexibly Virtually

You have the choice between numerous study locations in Germany. 

Depending on the model, you can study on-site, for example in: Berlin, Bonn*, Braunschweig, Bremen*, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Cologne, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich*, Münster, Stuttgart

Dual myStudies: Online Study via myCampus with accompanying virtual live events

  • Optional accompanying events for deepening knowledge – weekly via live video conference
  • All degree programmes at the Virtual Campus are accredited as dual distance learning
  • Your theory takes place 100% virtually – flexible, location-independent, at your own pace
  • You learn independently on myCampus with innovative learning materials and the AI learning assistant Syntea
  • Digital, interactive live formats promote exchange with lecturers and fellow students

*available again in the Dual Study Programme model from October 2026

Costs and Financing of the Dual Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education

The Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education at IU is free of charge for you:

  • Tuition fees: €0 – Your practical partner covers the costs of the study entirely.
  • Additional expenses: Individual expenses may arise for materials, travel costs, or stays abroad.

Due to the fee coverage, financial entry barriers are low. The combination of salary with the practical partner and tuition-free studies makes the dual study programme particularly attractive.

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