Automotive Technology B.Sc., Vocational School Teacher

 

Degree Content

You can only study automotive technology for the vocational school at RWTH Aachen University, in combination with machine technology for the vocational school. This course of study combination with both machine technology and automotive technology encompasses a broadly laid out basic education in engineering, mathematics, the natural sciences, the systems sciences, and manufacturing technology. Building on this foundation, studies in machine and automotive technologies will be intensified. In an elective area, additional specialized manufacturing-automotive content may be studied.

The course of study is also composed of a founded training in didactics, for example didactic studies for theoretical reflection on actual work in the field, the basics of curriculum training in industrial-technical fields, and the development and creation of a teaching-learning arrangement. The course of study also includes educational components including an orientation internship at a school. Furthermore, a career field internship of four weeks must be completed. This can be recognized as a co-op.  In order to be admitted to student teaching, students must have completed 52 weeks of field training.

Study Abroad
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering offers study abroad advising.  You can find more information the  Faculty's website.

 

Combination Possibilities

Training for vocational school teachers includes studying two subjects.  In course of study Model I, both subjects are equally studied.  In course of study Model II, one of the subjects is studied in a broader scope.
Detailed information on both course of study models

Textile Technology is a "small vocational subject" and only offers the combination possibility in course of study Model II: the unequally balanced combination with the "big vocational subject" Machine Technology.

 

Decision Aids

Should I become a teacher? Do I want to work as a teacher? If you are asking yourself these questions, there are a few services to help you get to know yourself:

RWTH Aachen Self Assessment "Teacher Training"
Career Counseling for Teachers
Fit für den Lehrerberuf

Suitability Experience
In the future, teaching training in NRW will include a so called “Suitability Experience,” which is recommended to be completed before the beginning of a student’s studies.  This is not a requirement for studies.  That means: it does not have to have been completed at the time of enrollment.  It can be completed during the course of study, and must be completed before the start of the teaching practice or internship (after studies).  More information is available on the Lehrerbildungszentrum page about the suitability experience and in the Ministry of Schools brochure.

 

Prerequisites

The  RWTH Aachen "Lehramt" Self Assessment is an enrollment prerequisite for this course of study.  You will need to submit your participation certificate when you enroll, but not in order to apply.

 

Career Prospects

With the Bachelor degree, students are qualified for work in the following fields:

• Human resources development, operational further training and education, operational continuing education
• In institutions and association for professional education and further development (professional associations or chambers)
• Professional education institutions and institutions for professional rehabilitation
• Development of teaching and learning media

The Master of Education qualifies an individual for the teaching practice period and to become a teacher afterwards. Students who study automotive and machine technology have good employment opportunities in public teaching service.

Teachers of automotive technology at a vocational school teach apprentices for careers including automotive mechatronics, mechanics for agricultural and building machinery, vulcaniser and tire mechanics, coachbuilding and automotive mechanics, and metal constructors for commerical vehicles.

Within metal construction, the following vocations are taught: industrial mechanic, metal construction worker, cutting machine operator, and toolmaker.

A further field of occupation are fulltime training courses and further training (technician, master) such as the state certified technician – automotive technician, automotive technician or master, state certified assistant for machine tool technology, and technicians in machine technology with a focus on plant mechanics, or industrial masters with a focus on metal.

You can find information from the NRW Ministry of Schools about the career prospects for various fields of teaching through 2030 in the brochure Prognoses on the Job Market for Teachers in North Rhine-Westphalia.

 

Master's Degree Prospects

The Master of Education (4 semesters) can be pursued after this Bachelor course of study. Only after completing the consecutive Master of Education, will graduates receive the admission qualification for the teaching profession. During the Master course of study, professionalization for a teaching career at a vocational school  is placed at the focus, through an advanced studies in education, further technical classes, and a school internship semester.

Since your Bachelor degree opens up various futher education possibilities, you can - depending on your subject combination - persue other Master's programs.  The respective exam board will decide whether or not you are qualified for a Master's that is not in the field of education.

 

Examination Regulations

Exam regulations regulate academic goals and prerequisites, the course of study layout, and exam procedures.  The appendix to the regulations contains the description of the modules, from which the course of study is composed.

General Regulations: Comprehensive Exam Regulations of RWTH Aachen Bachelor Teaching Training for Gymnasien, Gesamtschulen, and Berufskollegs

Special Regulations: Subject Specific Exam Regulations (de) (Coming soon)

 

Faculty

The Automotive Technology course of study is offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.