In the Master’s programme with the professional goal of teaching at advanced secondary and comprehensive school (GymGe) as a minor subject, the focus is on developing professional teaching competence based on subject knowledge and subject didactics. The curriculum covers biological topic areas as well as methods of academic work and media competence.
A key component of the degree programme is the teaching methodology of biology, which combines subject-specific knowledge with its application in the classroom. The focus is on the planning, delivery and reflection on biology lessons, the effective use of experiments, models and media in teaching, and the examination of diagnostic, differentiated and assessment-related issues in the classroom. The aim is to present biological topics in a way that is academically sound, pupil-centred and skills-based.
The practical semester in the Master’s phase links preparation, school-based practice and reflection within the framework of research-based learning and is coordinated across subjects by the BiSEd.
A wide range of elective courses is available in both the major subject and the minor subject. The Master’s thesis can be practice-oriented or subject-specific. Career paths are primarily in schools, second-chance education, adult education and extracurricular provision.
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
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.
The standard period of studies is 4 semesters. Information on studying part time.
The studies Continuation Minor Subject (Advanced Secondary and Comprehensive Schools ('Gymnasium' and 'Gesamtschule')) Biology comprise 40 credit points.
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
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.
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
Praxissemester
Das "Praxissemester" ist ein verpflichtender Bestandteil des Master of Education-Studiums.
Direkt zur Übersicht der Studiengangsvarianten.
Deutsch als Zweitsprache
Deutsch als Zweitsprache (DaZ) ist ebenfalls ein verpflichtender Bestandteil des Master of Education-Studiums.
Direkt zur Übersicht der Studiengangsvarianten.
Qualitätsbericht Master of Education (GymGe)
Qualitätsbericht für den Kombi-Master Lehramt an Gymnasien und Gesamtschulen