History B.A., Gymnasium and Gesamtschule Teacher

 

The purpose of history is the reconstruction and interpretation of the human past. Using current questions, historians grapple with written and nonwritten evidence from antiquity to the Modern Age.

Accordingly, history studies should facilitate students the ability to interpret sources relevant to a topic by evaluating research literature and to compellingly depict historic facts either through text or orally.

The Bachelor course of study in history differs from history in schools through its academic method of approach. It prepares students for Master studies in teacher training. Students will be taught basic knowledge that they will need for their future career. These studies also lay the foundation for academic employment in the history field and other career fields, in which the skilled acquired in history studies are required.

 

Degree Content

The Bachelor teacher training course of study in history is broken down into three basic modules, Ancient History, Middle Ages, and Modern Age, during the first through third semesters. By teaching technical work methods and methods of approach, the foundation is formed for the two concentration modules that cover the fourth to sixth semesters. The pedagogy modules falls within the fifth and sixth semesters, and places a focus on facilitating school teaching processes.

You can find more details on the degree content on the Institute of History website.

Programs Abroad
The Moveonline Exchanges database is helpful if you want an overview of all of RWTH Aachen's exchange programs.

 

Combination Possibilities

Two of the following instructional subjects are combined in studies for teachers at Gymnasien and Gesamtschulen: biology, chemistry, German, English, French, history, computer science, Catholic religious education, math, physics, and Spanish. Every subject can be equally combined with another. Course of Study Model Lehramt at Gymnasien and Gesamtschulen (de)

 

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
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

Personal Prerequisites
Important prerequisits for studying history are curiosity, tenacity, joy on detective work, and interest in historical relationships. One must have fun reading a lot and writing.

Enrollment Prerequisite
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.

Language Requirements:
In order to participate in the main seminar during the fourth semester, students must submit proof of Latin skills at a level of 2.  This is possible through either a Latinum or an exam at RWTH Aachen.  Student can acquire Latin skills while completing their studies or in our bridge courses.  Master's studies require the Latinum.

 

Career Prospects

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

After successfully completing the Bachelor degree, you can continue with the Master of Education (4 semesters).  With this degree, you can start your teaching practice (This phase used to be called "Refendariat" instead of "Vorbereitungsdienst".)

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) (The current version applies to all first year students.)

 

Faculty

Studies in History are offered by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities .