German Literature Teaching Degree
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
In the Master of Education in German Literature, you will deepen your knowledge of literature, linguistics and cultural studies and deal with current topics from language use, literature and media. You will learn to analyze, interpret and didactically prepare literary and linguistic phenomena.
The master's program combines academic in-depth study with subject-specific didactic practice and prepares you specifically for the preparatory service for the teaching profession. You will learn how to convey content in the classroom in a clear and learner-centered way.
A special feature of the degree program are the subject-specific advanced seminars or advanced graduate courses, in which you can choose from different, current topics each semester. In these seminars, you usually work on term papers or presentations and discuss current research questions.
In the Master of Education, you will continue your two main academic subjects. In each subject, you will take 27 ECTS credits in subject-specific science and subject-specific didactics. The program is supplemented by the Pedagogical Additional Subject (33 CP) and the 12-week school practice semester (16 CP) as well as the master's thesis (17 CP).
Key Program Features
- • Zentrum für Lehrkräftebildung (ZLB) as a central point of contact for student teachers for interdisciplinary topics
- school internships and teacher training as well as an interface to institutions involved in teacher training • diverse subject combinations • additional practical relevance through student and teaching-learning labs • research-oriented teaching • contacts with EUCOR universities enable stays abroad
- e.g. in Basel or Strasbourg
Career Opportunities
After studying to become a secondary school teacher, there are various career options open to you. Of course, the most obvious path is to work as a teacher at a school. Once you have completed your master's degree, you can apply for an 18-month prepatory service (Referendariat). During this time, you will be employed as a trainee teacher at a school and receive a salary. You will be intensively prepared for your future work as a teacher and gain practical experience in the classroom. After successfully completing your traineeship, you will usually be taken on as a teacher. As a teacher, you can become a civil servant if you meet the necessary requirements such as age limits. You can find out more about the preparatory service on the website of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.
There are also interesting alternatives to becoming a teacher. For example, you could choose to work in education administration, where you could work in school supervision, curriculum development or other administrative areas of the education system. Another option is to work in research and development. With your expertise, you could work at universities or research institutes to develop educational programs or shape educational policy. If you are interested in the field of educational technology, you could work in companies that develop educational software or operate digital learning platforms.
There are also opportunities outside the education sector. You could work in publishing houses, particularly in teaching materials companies or textbook publishers. You can also find employment in institutions whose field of activity is closely linked to school education, such as branches of ministries of education or foundations, associations and government institutions. The cultural sector or journalism as well as jobs in marketing and public relations also offer possible career prospects for teachers. Depending on your choice of subject, you can also work as an aut
Program Curriculum
Detailed curriculum information is not available. Please check the university website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date course information.
Visit Program WebsiteAdmission Requirements
The requirements for admission to the major subject German Literature in the master's degree program in Secondary School Teaching Degree are based on the current admission regulations:
• bachelor's degree
a successfully completed bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in the major subject German Literature of the bachelor's degree program Secondary School Teaching Degree (or a program with essentially the same content). The course of study in the teaching-related bachelor's degree program must include study components from two major subjects, subject-specific didactics, educational science and practical school studies. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits (CP).
• admission with a subject-related bachelor's degree
in exceptional cases, admission to the master's program can also be granted with a subject-related bachelor's degree (not a teaching degree) if
teaching-related elements are included in the degree program and
a maximum of 50 credit points (CP) from a teaching-related bachelor's degree program are missing.
Missing credits must be completed by the time of registration for the master's thesis.
• proof of personal aptitude as a future teacher:
participation in the Karlsruhe Individual Aptitude Check for Teachers (KAiAC-T) or an equivalent aptitude, advisory or support program.
proof can be submitted at a later date up to the end of the first semester.
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas
Modern German Literature amounting to 24 CP
Medieval Studies amounting to 14 CP
Language and Media amounting to 22 CP
Didactics amounting to 8 CP
• teaching-related elements are included in the degree program and
• a maximum of 50 credit points (CP) from a teaching-related bachelor's degree program are missing.
Missing credits must be completed by the time of registration for the master's thesis.
• participation in the Karlsruhe Individual Aptitude Check for Teachers (KAiAC-T) or an equivalent aptitude, advisory or support program.
• proof can be submitted at a later date up to the end of the first semester.
• Modern German Literature amounting to 24 CP
• Medieval Studies amounting to 14 CP
• Language and Media amounting to 22 CP
• Didactics amounting to 8 CP
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
No tuition fees (German public university — see fee_details)
Semester contribution ~€235 covers public transport (KVV) and student union services.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
No tuition fees at KIT (German public university). Semester contribution of approx. €235 covers public transport and student services. Funding available via DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, Baden-Württemberg Stipendium, and KIT internal scholarships.
About Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe, Germany
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Germany's leading public research universities and among Europe's most prestigious institutions for science, engineering, and technology....
University Profile- Application Deadline EU/German nationals: September 30 | Non-EU nationals: September 30
- Start Date Winter semester
- Language German
- Duration 4 semesters
- Credits 120 ECTS
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