More money, more choice: Start of applications for the dual study programme for secondary school teaching

"As announced in the government agreement, the new state government will work with the University of Erfurt to further expand capacities in dual study programmes," explains Thuringia's Minister of Education and Science Christian Tischner. "The state budget, which is to be adopted this week, provides for up to 20 additional places. This means that the new departmental organisation with joint responsibility for science and education in one house is already bearing fruit. This increase is an important first step, as we urgently need young talent for our mainstream and community schools."

There will also be a change in tuition fees compared to the previous year: In future, students will receive €1,550 for Bachelor's programmes and €1,800 for Master's programmes and will therefore benefit from the pay rises agreed by the collective bargaining community of the federal states last year.

"With the launch of our dual study programme for secondary school teaching last year, we as a university have taken an important step towards tackling the shortage of teachers at secondary schools in Thuringia," says University President Professor Walter Bauer-Wabnegg. Professor Julia Knop, Vice President for Academic Affairs, adds: "We are in close contact with the first-year students. In this way, we want to ensure that everyone feels well supported and that the dual study programme becomes a successful model. We are particularly pleased that we are able to expand the programme this year."

The second intake of students on the dual study programme for secondary school teaching will start in the winter semester 2025/26. The training schools will once again be spread across all five school district areas. Prospective students can choose between the subjects German (German Studies), Mathematics, English (English Studies), Business Studies/Technology and – this is new – Sport.

Students choose their first and second subject from these subjects. In the first year of study, the focus is on studying the first subject at the university. From the 3rd semester onwards, the academic component of the second subject increases. At the same time, practical school training begins two days a week.

The course offerings provide for a Bachelor's degree and, building on this, a Master's degree; the subsequent preparatory service is shortened to twelve months due to the practical school experience already gained. After successfully completing their studies, graduates commit to five years in the Thuringian teaching profession.

As in the previous year, applications for the dual standard school teaching degree programme are submitted via the career portal for the Free State of Thuringia: www.karriere.thueringen.de. The application and subsequent selection process is coordinated and carried out by the state education authorities. Interviews are scheduled for May/June 2025.

You can find more information on the dual study programme for secondary school teaching on the website of the teacher recruitment campaign www.lehrerinthueringen.de/duales-studium and the website of the University of Erfurt (www.uni-erfurt.de/en/studies/course-offerings/teaching-profession/duales-lehramt-regelschule).

For last-minute applicants, there is still the opportunity to find out more about the dual study programme on Saturday 26 April as part of the Open Day at the University of Erfurt. The Thuringian Teacher Recruitment Campaign will have an information stand here. State Secretary Dr Bernd Uwe Althaus will also give a presentation on teaching-related degree programmes and will be available for discussions afterwards.