Machine Technology B.Sc., Vocational School Teacher

 

Degree Content

You can study machine technology at RWTH Aachen University, in combination with a vocational or instructional subject. The Machine Technology course of study encompasses a broadly laid out basic education in engineering, mathematics, the natural sciences, and the systems sciences. 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.

An overview of degree content is available in the curriculum plan. (de)

Programs 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

The subject Machine Technology is a vocational subject and offers the following combination possibilities:

1. In course of study Model I:

• Balanced combination of the instructional subjects: biology, chemistry, German, English, Catholic religious education, math, physics, and economics/political science. A combination with “political science” is not possible.
• Balanced combination with the vocational subjects: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, textile technology, and economics.

2. In course of study Model II:

• Unequally balanced combination with the following small vocational subjects: automotive technology, manufacturing technology, and supply technology.

Combination Recommendation: We recommend combining Machine Technology with one of the small vocational specializations: automotive technology, manufacturing technology, or supply 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"
All About Teacher Training
Career Counseling for Teachers
Fit für den Lehrerberuf

 

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, vocational further training and education, vocational continuing education
• In institutions and associations 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 to enter teacher training for vocational schools during the teaching practice period and to become a teacher afterwards. Students who study machine technology have good employment opportunities in public teaching service.

Teachers of machine technology at a vocational school teach apprentices for careers including plant mechanics, precision machinists, industrial mechanics, metal constructors, cutting machine operators, and toolmakers. A further field of occupation are fulltime training courses (assistant) and further training (technician, master) such as the state certified technician machine technology assistant, technicians in machine technology with a specialization in 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 2039/2040 in the brochure Prognoses on the Job Market for Teachers in North Rhine-Westphalia (de).

 

Master's Degree Prospects

The Master of Education 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 for the two study models (see combination possibilities):
Subject Specific Exam Regulations for the big vocational subject (study modell II, de)
Subject Specific Exam Regulations for the vocational subject (study modell I, de)

 

Faculty

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