University of Education Freiburg

The University of Education, Freiburg (in German: Pädagogische Hochschule, or PH for short) was founded in 1962 and gained university status in 1971. It is the largest of six Universities of Education in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, which is known throughout Germany for the high quality of its education. There are currently 250 academic staff and some 5,100 students at the Freiburg University of Education. With its broad range of Bachelor and Master courses along with teacher training programmes, the University offers excellent research-based first-degree level qualifications and further education complemented by a large share of professionally accompanied practical and application-based modules. The change from State Examination to the Bologna structure means that the University of Education now works in close cooperation with the Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg. The new Freiburg Advanced Center for Education (FACE) provides a forum for collaborative work in Teacher Education and is the central focus for all key players. FACE combines Initial Teacher Education, Practice and In-service Training, Educational Research and Quality Assurance. FACE’s online campus provides entrants to the teaching profession with all the most important information, reforms, and opportunities for the exchange of ideas, and thus a space to develop their professional identity. This cooperation means that the University of Education covers Teacher Education for all levels: Primary, Secondary 1 and Secondary 2. Moreover, frequently the University’s international/languages and maths/natural science profile serves as the decisive factor for choosing the Freiburg University.

Main academic focus areas

Intercultural and cross-border courses Research with an emphasis on Europe This focus area comprises a large variety of undergraduate and graduate courses as well as renowned research projects that fully and systematically exploit Freiburg’s locational advantage. Emphasis on mathematics/natural sciences in research and teaching This focus area encompasses a large variety of courses as well as numerous interesting research projects run by the University. In addition, various chemistry, physics, geography and maths “learning labs” prepare students adequately for their future (practical and experimental) tasks. Here, too, theory and practice are closely linked: experiments in classes, e.g. as part of the NAWIlino project provide students with insight into the everyday life of a teacher. Involvement in topical research projects provides an impression of what it means to learn by discovering: for example the EU project mascil (research- and discovery-based in the classroom) or the project MATHElino (research the learning process of Kindergarten kids and primary school children).

Other features of Freiburg University

Targeted promotion of young researchers Various Ph.D. programmes and a large number of other (European) research projects promote a wide range of young researchers. Apart from the programme mentioned above, these include the research programme “Learning for the Knowledge Society”, “Task-based Learning and Teaching” and “Being Able to Explain”. In total, the University runs approx. 90 research projects. This lends the Freiburg University of Education a key position within Baden-Württemberg in the promotion of young researchers. More than studying Finally, the University boasts an equally ambitious and varied cultural campus life. The University offers numerous opportunities for creative activity: the University choir, orchestra, big band, sports activities, a literary workshop, drama groups in German, English, and French, and the campus radio station, to name just a few.