There is a shortage of teachers throughout Germany - including at Berlin schools. Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin (HU) is therefore introducing single-subject lateral entry master's degree programmes as part of a pilot project for the winter semester 2025/26. The innovative study format offers graduates of non-teaching degree programmes a targeted, academically sound and practice-oriented approach to the teaching profession - especially for the teaching profession at integrated secondary schools, grammar schools and vocational schools. Prospective students can still apply for the winter semester until 31 August 2025.
The single-subject teaching degree programme as an answer to the shortage of teachers
With the single-subject teaching master's programme, HU is consistently implementing the recommendations of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) "Designing additional pathways into the teaching profession" and is taking on a pioneering role in Berlin. The concept is part of the HU's overall strategy and the Berlin Higher Education Contract to sustainably increase the number of graduates in the teaching profession. It is geared towards the acute need for qualified teachers and complements the existing teacher training programmes.
Prof. Dr. Niels Pinkwart, Vice President for Academic Affairs at HU:
"With the introduction of the Master's degree programmes for lateral entry into the teaching profession in one subject, Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin is expanding its study programmes with an innovative qualification path in teacher training. We are thus responding to the increased demand for qualified teachers and at the same time creating new, permeable educational pathways for graduates of subject-specific degree programmes. The degree programme exemplifies our goal of combining academic excellence with social responsibility."
Special demand in the STEM subjects
The new single-subject teaching degree programmes will initially be offered in a total of seven subjects at the HU: Biology, Chemistry, French, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Business Education (Economics and Administration). The subjects are based on the specific needs of Berlin schools. They offer graduates from the STEM subjects in particular a targeted and innovative route into a teaching career and are attractive for career changers.
The degree programme offers a combination of in-depth subject knowledge, subject didactics, educational science, language education and professional profiling. It is supplemented by practical school studies and current cross-cutting topics such as inclusion, media education and democracy education.
Students benefit from the targeted, skills-orientated course, which optimally prepares them for the challenges of everyday school life and enables them to enter the preparatory service in Berlin. The programme is also open to students from other federal states.
Further information
To the website of the single-subject lateral entry master's programme
Website of the Berlin science administration "Berlin macht Schule"
Contact us
For questions about the framework concept and the model in general
Ann-Cathrine Liebsch and Magnus John
Professional School of Education (PSE) at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin
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If you have any questions regarding admission and study counselling, please contact the relevant contact person.