- All courses offered
- Master of Education
- English Studies: British and American Studies
- Continuation Major Subject (Primary Schools)
English Studies: British and American Studies Continuation Major Subject (Primary Schools)
Overview
Contents of the subject English Studies: British and American Studies
In the Master of Education “English Studies: British and American Studies – Continuation of the Major Subject (Primary Schools), students expand and consolidate the competences acquired in the Bachelor phase, with the aim of teaching English language, literatures and cultures at primary school. The degree provides students with an in-depth subject-specific education in the subject, while at the same time offering them the opportunity to choose their own areas of specialization in English studies, focussing for example on specific cultural spheres, such as Great Britain or the Americas, or else on linguistic, literary and cultural history. There is also a strong focus on the specific challenges posed by classroom communication in the primary school context.
A further central component is the still more extensive and intensive training of students with regard to various areas of English teaching (language, media, literature and culture), as well as to working in heterogeneous learner-groups. Of particular importance too is the development of competences in the area of research-based learning, which enables students to explore their own teaching practices and those of others as a crucial part of their professionalization process. The practical semester at a school allows the students to put their specialized knowledge and teaching skills to the test over an extended period, and to draw on both theory and data to reflect on their experiences.
Students in the Master of Education programme are expected to have excellent English skills, so as to use English very flexibly with young learners, particularly in very heterogeneous learner groups, and model good English for young beginners. At the start of their studies, students should thus have a proficiency level in English equivalent to at least C1/C2 on the Common European Framework.
Contact persons
Advantages of the subject at Bielefeld University
The programme places great emphasis on the close integration of research and teaching, with a particular focus on the development of innovative teaching formats and research into English language teaching. Students benefit from the expertise of internationally renowned academics and carry out their own research projects, which enriches their academic training.
Interdisciplinary Teaching Formats
Through collaboration with other departments and the teacher training programmes organised within the Bielefeld School of Education, special teaching formats such as interdisciplinary colloquia, summer schools or themed days – for example, on democracy education – are offered. These formats foster a broader understanding of complex topics and prepare students for the challenges of a globalised world.
International perspectives
The degree programme offers numerous opportunities for international experience, such as a Teaching Experience Semester at schools abroad. Partnerships with universities across Europe, North America and Mexico open up further opportunities for study visits and exchange with international researchers.
In-depth study of subject-specific pedagogy
A significant proportion of the programme is devoted to the pedagogy of teaching English, enabling students to prepare for diversity-sensitive English lessons that address the latest social issues. In doing so, students are introduced to a range of innovative subject-specific teaching approaches, such as Global English Language Teaching or teaching through or with video games.
Diverse career opportunities
The programme qualifies graduates in particular for teaching roles in schools, but also for various non-school career paths, such as roles in cultural institutions, adult education, publishing houses or the media industry. This opens up a broad spectrum of career prospects.
Career prospects
When choosing subjects, it is also important to take your own interests into account so that you can later teach the subjects you are interested in with enthusiasm. Furthermore, considering the age of the pupils in the respective types of school is helpful in making an informed decision.
What are the access requirements?
Access to the Master of Education is granted to those who can provide evidence that they have a first university degree which has a standard period of study of at least six semesters and qualifies them a for profession. Whether the first degree provides suitable access also depends on the kind of teaching qualification to be pursued.
A first degree for a subsequent Master of Education programme with the professional goal of a teaching qualification is generally given if the Bachelor degree was completed at Bielefeld University (according to the Bachelor Examination Regulations (German ‘BPO’) for the 2011 study model) with a corresponding orientation (professional goal and choice of subjects).
Other degrees may be accepted if applicants can provide evidence of academic achievements for the intended teaching qualification that are substantially equivalent to those of the above-mentioned bachelor degree. For example, these can be degrees
- granting a teaching qualification for a different school type,
- with a different choice of subjects,
- with a subject-specific orientation (i.e. degrees that do not encompass a teaching qualification)
- a degree from another university.
Access to the Master of Education may be subject to the completion of alignment studies. The fulfilment of the access requirements is checked in each case during the application procedure.
The exact regulations for the access procedure can be found in the examination and study regulations for the Master programme (see navigation).
Access to the preparatory service (German ‘Referendariat’) requires knowledge of two foreign languages. This is usually provided via the German ‘Abitur’. The Bielefeld School of Education (BiSEd) counselling service will respond to further questions.
What formalities are important?
Course start
Studies can be commenced in both winter and summer semesters. Courses are targeted to commencing studies in winter semester. Student counselling to plan the course of studies is recommended.
Length and scope of studies
The standard period of studies is 4 semesters. Information on studying part time.
The studies Continuation Major Subject (Primary Schools) English Studies: British and American Studies comprise 20 credit points.
Application, admission, and enrolment
The study places for this degree programme are not subject to any admission restrictions (numerus clausus). Nevertheless, you need to apply within the currently applicable application deadlines.
As soon as you receive positive responses in the application- and status portal (notices of access), you can submit your application for enrolment within the set deadline.
Important notice: Please note the applicable deadlines for application, enrolment, and change of degree programme. If you want to do the preparatory training within the 1st and 2nd semester, shortened deadlines may apply for the practical semester.
Step by step to a Master programme without NC
The courses
You will find the programme of lectures for this course in the eKVV.
An overview of the introductory and information events is provided by the central student counselling services.
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The information on admission restrictions / numerus clausus (NC) refers to applications for the winter semester 2026/27 and summer semester 2027.
Information on NC values from previous years