How does a degree programme work?
Source: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/before-your-studies/procedure Parent: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en
Table of contents
- The Bachelor's degree programme: your first professional qualification
- Exceptions
- What characterises a Bachelor's degree programme?
- Bachelor programme models
- The Master's programme: in-depth study and specialisation
- Study organisation and everyday study life
- Exemplary study week
- Important notes
- Course catalogue
- Student counselling
The Bachelor's degree programme: your first professional qualification
In the Bachelor's degree programme, which usually lasts three years, you will be taught scientific principles and methods, as well as qualifications related to your professional field. This enables you to enter the world of work afterwards. Or you can deepen your academic knowledge in a Master's programme.
At the HU, you can either obtain a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in the humanities and social sciences or a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in the natural sciences and mathematics.
Exceptions
Exceptions to the Bachelor-Master system at Humboldt-Universität are Law (examination) and Protestant Theology (theological examination).
What characterises a Bachelor's degree programme?
- Every degree programme has study and examination regulations. They contain clear guidelines on course content and organisation.
- The degree programme is divided into thematic modules, which consist of different types of courses, e.g. lectures, seminars, tutorials, and for each of which you take a final module examination (MAP). The Bachelor's thesis is written at the end of the programme.
- For successfully completed modules, you will receive credit points (CP) in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Up to 30 hours of work are allocated to each credit point, including preparation and follow-up work. In a typical degree programme, you earn 30 ECTS credits per semester so that you can complete your degree within the standard period of study. However, you can also adapt your studies to your needs and challenges by completing fewer credits or studying part-time.
- The standard period of study means that you can, but do not have to, complete your degree programme within this time. Funding programmes (BAföG, scholarships) are often linked to the standard period of study.
Bachelor programme models
Monobachelor
You will study a subject totalling 180 CP, usually over six semesters. The degree programme comprises a compulsory, a subject-specific compulsory elective and an interdisciplinary compulsory elective (ÜWP). The compulsory elective programme serves to acquire interdisciplinary skills and key qualifications for career entry.
Combination Bachelor
You study two subjects (three subjects in the degree programme Education at Primary Schools): a core subject (120 CP) and a second subject (60 CP). This degree programme also comprises a total of 180 CP and also lasts six semesters. Both subjects consist of a compulsory area and often also a compulsory elective area as well as an interdisciplinary compulsory elective area in the core subject. You always study for a teaching degree in the combined bachelor's programme.
Core and second subjects can be freely combined, with a few exceptions if there is too much subject overlap(check the degree programme finder). You must study both subjects at the same university, with a few exceptions in the teaching degree programme.
Study to become a teacher
If you want to become a teacher, you will always study a combined Bachelor's degree programme with a teaching degree option or a teaching degree. Degree programmes with a "teaching degree " were designed specifically for the teaching profession. In the case of degree programmes with a "teacher training option", on the other hand, there is one study option for the teaching profession and one for other professional fields.
You then study for a Master's degree in teaching (M. Ed.). This is followed by an 18-month traineeship and the state examination.
At the HU, the Professional School of Education is responsible for teacher training.
The Academic Year
Consists of winter semester ("WiSe", 01.10. to 31.03.) and summer semester ("SoSe", 01.04. to 30.09.). Most degree programmes start in the winter semester. Please always observe the academic deadlines for applications, enrolment and re-registration.
The Master's programme: in-depth study and specialisation
If you would like to specialise and deepen your academic knowledge after your first degree, you can apply for a Master's degree, i.e. a further professional qualification - either directly after your Bachelor's degree or if you have already been working.
You can obtain the degrees Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Master of Education (M.Ed.). The M.Ed. is specifically intended for the teaching profession. There are also others, especially in the continuing education Master's programmes.
What characterises the Master's degree programme?
The Master's degree programmes are also modularised and include examinations during the course of study, which are completed with a Master's thesis. They offer more opportunities for specialisation and in-depth academic work.
Master's types: consecutive? continuing education?
- Consecutive Master's degree programmes: Deepen or extend the specialist content of Bachelor's degree programmes.
- Postgraduate Master's programmes: require professional experience and may be subject to a fee.
The scope varies between 60, 90 or 120 CP, with a standard period of study of two to four semesters.
Application for a Master's programme
Each Master's degree programme has its own admission and selection criteria. You can find the admission and admission rules as well as information on the language of instruction and application modalities in the course offer for the relevant degree programme.
If you do not yet have a professionally qualifying degree (usually a Bachelor's degree), but only lack a maximum of 30 credit points, you may be able to apply for provisional admission to a Master's degree programme. You then have until the end of the first Master's semester to provide proof of your Bachelor's degree.
Study organisation and everyday study life
In the winter semester, the lecture period is from mid-October to mid-February, in the summer semester from mid-April to mid-July. The lecture-free periods in between are not simply holidays, but are also intended for examinations, writing assignments, internships and your personal specialisation.
You create your individual timetable based on your study and examination regulations (SPO). You can select courses from the course catalogue in the AGNES portal.
Exemplary study week
In addition to attending lectures, there's a whole lot going on: Coffee and lunch breaks, studying in the library, meetings with the study group, preparing for and following up on lectures, possibly working, travelling (not insignificant in Berlin!) - and last but not least, free time. A week during the lecture period could look like this, for example.
Important notes
Study abroad
The HU supports stays abroad through extensive exchange programmes. Information is available from your faculties/institutes and from the Department of International Affairs.
Commuting
When planning, take into account the travelling times to the university and between the HU locations (e.g. Adlershof, Campus Mitte, Campus Nord), especially for the combined Bachelor's degree.
c.t.? Academic quarter?
Courses usually begin "c.t." (cum tempore), i.e. 15 minutes after the full hour indicated (e.g. 10 a.m. c.t. starts at 10:15 a.m.). \ "s.t." (sine tempore) means punctual start.\ \ If there is no indication of the time, an event always starts c.t.
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[### Course catalogue
The annotated course catalogue with the current courses can be found on Agnes.](https://agnes.hu-berlin.de/lupo/rds?state=user&type=0 "zur Website der Agnes-Plattform")
[### Student counselling
If you have any questions about specific course content, specialisations and the like, the subject-specific student advisory service at the respective faculty or institute will be happy to help.](https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/service#c3080)