Study education in Germany: An overview of all degree programmes from teacher training to childhood education

Pedagogy degree programmes ranging from Pedagogy and Teacher Training to Childhood Education and Special Education are currently among the most popular courses.

Correspondingly, the choice of study programmes is also quite large at private universities. Not only are full-time degree programmes offered in all major cities in Germany, but also distance learning or online degree programmes.

Furthermore, there are courses of study in the field of special needs education.

Furthermore, there is no NC at the private universities I am presenting to you here - not even in the Teacher Training programmes.

Which university is the best for studying education?

There are several private universities in Germany that offer education degree programmes. But which university is the best? You can decide which university is best for you by looking at the following criteria, for example:

• Location of the university: Of course, you should always first look at where the university you want to study at is located. Some universities offer their degree programmes at several locations, such as the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences or the IU International University of Applied Sciences.
• Study programme and study content: I recommend that you always also request a study plan and module handbook for your desired degree programme. This way you can compare the study contents, the options for specialisation and also the forms of examination more accurately.
• Size of the university: Also pay attention to the size of the university. The smaller the university, the more intensive the support is likely to be. Whereby even large universities such as Fresenius University of Applied Sciences provide supervision in small groups - one of the great advantages that private universities offer over state universities.
• Costs: Of course, you should always compare costs as well. Make sure to compare the total costs, not just the monthly costs or the semester costs.

Here is a brief portrait of the most important universities with education degree programmes:

Fresenius University of Applied Sciences: Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest private universities of applied sciences in Germany. In winter semester 2020/2021, a total of 14,910 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 business and natural sciences, but also in the field of education, especially Master's programmes in adult education and management.

IU International University of Applied Sciences: With over 100,000 enrolled students (winter semester 2022/2023), IU is the largest university in Germany. The university is based in Erfurt, but IU offers its campus degree programmes at many locations throughout Germany. In addition to the campus programmes, the university offers over 80 distance learning programmes as well as a large number of part-time and dual programmes. Pedagogy, for example, is offered by IU both as a distance learning programme and as a part-time programme.

Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences: The Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences is a state-recognised, private art university based in Alfter/North Rhine-Westphalia. The university was founded in 1973, and in the winter semester 2020/2021 a total of 1,694 students were enrolled at the university. In the field of education, the university offers numerous interesting study programmes, a part-time Master of Education for example.

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's degree in Vocational Education, a Bachelor's degree in Primary and Elementary Education, and a Master's degree in Vocational Education.

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. As a university for health, social affairs and education, the EUFH offers several degree programmes in the field of education, such as a Bachelor's degree in Primary School Education. Of particular interest: the dual Master's degree in School Education, which prepares students for teaching positions at public schools.

European Distance Learning University Hamburg: The Euro-FH is a private, state-recognized university based in Hamburg. The university was founded in 2003. In the winter semester 2020/2021, a total of 8,136 students were enrolled at the Euro-FH. As a distance learning university, the focus of the Euro-FH is on distance learning courses, especially in the field of economics. The university offers a Bachelor's degree in Business Education and Cultural Management.

University of Social Work and Pedagogy: The University of Social Work and Pedagogy is a private, state-recognized university of applied sciences located in Berlin. The university was founded in 2013. In the winter semester 2020/2021, a total of 337 students were enrolled at the university. The university offers 3 degree programmes: Social Work, Childhood Education, and the Master's degree in Inclusive Education in Elementary and Primary Education. The Bachelor's degree programmes are also offered in dual variants.