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Who is the dual study programme in Childhood Education suitable for - and what do you need for admission?
The programme is right for you if you want to work with children in your daily life and combine practice and theory. Typical profiles include: trained or prospective professionals in early childhood education looking to expand their skills academically and aiming for state recognition; school leavers wanting to enter directly into daycare centres, all-day schools, or family support services; professionals in social institutions who have been working without a university degree and are looking for a structured path into pedagogical specialist or leadership roles.
Admission Requirements
You will start after an initial consultation with the academic advisor if one of the following conditions is met. This programme is NC-free.
- General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification: Direct admission to the dual bachelor's programme.
- International school leaving certificate: Equivalency check (Anabin) and proof of German language proficiency at level B2; participation in the consultation interview.
- Without (subject) Abitur: At least two years of relevant vocational training plus three years of work experience in the learned profession (full-time over 32 hours/week). Entry is through a trial study programme; qualification must be relevant to the course of study. EU qualifications are examined for equivalence (DQR level 4).
- Alternative access: Completed master craftsman's examination or state-certified technicians or business economists.
- Practical partner mandatory: Employment or cooperation contract with a suitable institution with 20 hours per week of practical work during the studies.
State recognition: To obtain the professional title of "State-recognized Childhood Educator," during the course of study, 100 days of practical work must be supervised by an academically qualified professional at the work placement.
The regular start dates are 1st April or 1st October; applications are possible until about one month before the start of the programme. The study location can be an IU campus in major cities or the virtual campus (online).
Personal Requirements
What matters in everyday study life: You need to have a passion for pedagogical activities, empathy, and resilience - the practical component involves real responsibility. Self-organization and communication are also important because you will alternate between practice, lectures, and self-study.
- Time management: Realistically expect 20 hours of practical work, 2 days of theory (teaching/examinations), and additional 6-10 hours of self-study per week - more during exam periods.
- Reflective ability: Practice reflections take place every semester; you should be able to document observations systematically and classify them scientifically.
- Perseverance: Seven semesters mean continuous learning, project work, and examinations - a fixed weekly plan helps separate learning and relaxation periods.
- Team and parent work: Having a confident presence in multiprofessional teams and respectful communication with families are crucial.
If you bring these qualities and clarify your weekly schedule early on, you can combine study, practice, and leisure time effectively - laying the foundation for qualified roles in specialist and future leadership positions in childhood education.
What do you learn in the Childhood Education Studies at IU International University?
You acquire in-depth knowledge of child development, educational processes, and protection tasks - anchored in pedagogy, psychology, sociology, and social law. In addition, you will gain practical skills for working with children, families, and teams, as well as methodological skills ranging from research to reflecting on your own practice.
Understanding and promoting childhood: Developmental psychology and neurobiological foundations, didactics of early childhood education areas, observation and documentation, pedagogical relationships, and professionalism. You will learn to plan educational offerings, assess developmental stages, and implement individual support with an inclusive perspective.
Protection, participation, diversity: Child protection in cases of abuse and neglect, inclusion, integration and migration, intercultural and ethical skills, social inequality, and diversity. The aim is to secure children's rights, identify risks, and anchor protection concepts in institutions.
Law, organization, quality: Social law, social economics, and socioeconomics as well as quality management in social and educational fields. You will be able to apply legal frameworks, understand structures in daycare centres and all-day schools, and systematically shape quality development.
Methods and research: Qualitative and quantitative research methods, academic work, counseling, and conducting conversations. This will help you prepare evidence-based decisions, moderate teams, and lead parent and development discussions professionally.
Specializations: In later semesters, you will choose areas of focus - such as child protection and trauma pedagogy, management in social institutions, cultural and media pedagogy, or pedagogy related to therapy and health topics. This will help you sharpen your profile for desired fields such as daycare management, specialist counseling, or family support.
Practice and graduation: A fixed component is practical phases with 20 hours per week at a practical partner and obligatory online practice reflections every semester. To earn the professional title of "State-approved Childhood Educator," 100 days of your practical work must be supervised by an academically qualified professional. The studies conclude with a bachelor's thesis and a colloquium.
How does the Childhood Education Studies program work?
You study in a dual mode - with a fixed division between theory and practice. You can choose between two models: the dual on-site study programme with classes on campus and the dual myStudy programme with online-based theory and live formats on the virtual campus. Both models share a "split week" with 2 days of theory and 3 days of practice.
Dual on-site study or dual myStudy - which one suits you?
In the on-site model, you attend seminars in small groups on two fixed days per week, occasionally supplemented with live video conferences. In the dual myStudy programme, you learn theory flexibly online through myCampus, supported by optional live companion events and the AI learning assistant "Syntea." In both variants, you work 20 hours per week in a practical setting alongside your studies.
Study locations: many cities or completely online
The on-site model is offered at numerous IU campuses, including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart, Hanover, Dortmund, Bremen, Bonn, Brunswick, Mainz, Mannheim, and Münster. Those who want to study independently of location can choose the virtual campus with live online events.
Support and exchange
The everyday learning life combines lectures, digital materials, and practice reflections. Exchange happens in seminars, online live formats, and through supervised reflection settings. The interaction between campus teaching or online live formats and practical work promotes direct application of knowledge and feedback loops.
Exam formats and performance assessments
Performance is assessed on a module-by-module basis and includes practice-oriented tasks. Mandatory practice reflections every semester and, at the end of the program, the bachelor's thesis and the colloquium are required. This way, you demonstrate scientific, methodological, and professional skills.
Time model, duration, and accreditation
The dual on-site study programme is designed for 7 semesters with 180 ECTS credits. The dual myStudy programme also spans 7 semesters, but with 210 ECTS credits. The program starts on April 1st and October 1st each year. The program is accredited - as a dual on-site study programme or as a dual distance learning program. The university is state-approved and system-accredited; the internal reaccreditation of the program is valid until September 30, 2032.
What are the costs of the Childhood Education Bachelor's program at IU International University?
In the dual study program, your practical partner usually covers the tuition fees. For you, this means private university education with 0 € direct tuition fees while gaining work experience. Additional training allowances may be provided by the employer - this is regulated by the company.
Total costs and additional expenses: Since the practical site covers the tuition fees, you usually don't have the monthly financial burden. You should plan for your own expenses for specialist literature, work tools (e.g. laptop), and travel costs to the campus and practice location. Possible fees for exam retakes or document services - if applicable - are separate.
Financing and taxes: If the practical partner covers the fees, there is hardly any need for financial support. You can usually declare your own expenses (e.g. travel, work tools) as tax-deductible.
Which professions and salaries are possible after the Childhood Education Studies?
With a Bachelor's degree and state recognition, you can work as a childhood educator in daycare centres, all-day schools, and youth welfare institutions. Career prospects range from group and department management to specialist counseling or facility management. A Master's degree is a meaningful continuation for leadership or consultancy careers.
- Childhood educator (daycare, all-day care, child and youth welfare) – approx. €3,100 to €4,400 gross monthly (depending on employer/TVöD SuE classification and region)
- Facility management/Daycare management – approx. €4,500 to €6,000 gross monthly (size of the facility, collective agreement, and responsibilities)
- Specialist counseling for child day care – approx. €4,000 to €5,200 gross monthly
- Professional staff in all-day care/Coordination – approx. €3,200 to €4,600 gross monthly
- Family and parenting counseling/home support – approx. €3,300 to €4,800 gross monthly
Further studies: For advanced leadership, conceptual, or consulting skills, Master's programs in Early Childhood Education, Educational Management, Social Management, or Child Protection are suitable. This enhances your profile and salary prospects - especially in managerial and leadership roles.
Who benefits from the Childhood Education Bachelor's program – and who doesn't?
The dual model is aimed at those who want to directly connect childcare and education work with practical experience. It is beneficial if you want to develop professionally and establish yourself in the field with a clear perspective on state recognition.
- You want to work with children and take on educational responsibilities – based on sound knowledge of pedagogy, psychology, sociology, and law.
- You prefer learning on the job: 20 hours per week of practical work alongside theory help you apply content directly.
- You aim for the professional title of "state-approved Childhood Educator" and can ensure the 100 days of supervised practice in the workplace.
- You need the choice of location or format: many cities in the on-site model or location-independent in the dual myStudy program with a virtual campus.
- You want to study without direct tuition fees and rely on possible coverage by the practical partner.
Not every life situation fits the dual structure. Those seeking maximum flexibility in terms of time or different career paths should consider alternatives.
- You want to study completely freely without a fixed weekly schedule – the "split week" with fixed presence or live days and fixed practice days does not suit that preference.
- You aspire to a teaching degree or a regulated school profession – this Bachelor's program does not lead to any access to the state preparatory service.
- You do not have a suitable practical partner or cannot arrange for the required supervision over 100 days – then the basis for state recognition is missing.
- You are looking for a purely campus-based study without parallel work obligations – here, the 20-hour practical work per week is obligatory.
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