The university entrance examination at the University of Kassel

To apply for admission to the university entrance examination for the fields of linguistics and cultural studies or education, degree programs for teaching at elementary school, secondary schools and special schools, please use this online form and select "Application for admission to the university entrance examination".

To apply, you will need the following documents (in PDF format):

• Your curriculum vitae,
• your last school report and vocational training certificates,
• complete proof of the type, duration and location of your professional activity,
• proof of further training (the duration must be clear) and
• a detailed justification.

Information on the examinations:

The examination consists of a written and an oral examination. In both examinations, the candidate should demonstrate that he/she is able to develop an approach to selected areas of the following sub-areas of pedagogy: General pedagogy:

- Historical development of pedagogy, educational theories

- School pedagogy: didactics, teaching theories, school development

- Research and research methods in educational science and empirical educational research.

• Written examination: The written examination consists of the completion of tasks on a relevant text dealing with a relevant topic in education. The aim is to show that complex issues from one of the three areas of education can be dealt with in a basic way by identifying content-related connections and working out central statements. The written work should be used to check whether the candidate has the basic scientific propaedeutic skills required to complete a degree in education. This includes an adequate ability to express oneself in written language, which expresses the ability to abstract as well as the ability to reflect and analyze.
• Oral examination: In the oral examination, the candidate should demonstrate, on the basis of selected topics from one of the three sub-areas of pedagogy, that he/she has the oral expression skills required for success in the field of pedagogy. The candidate should demonstrate that he/she is able to deal with pedagogical topics in a scientifically propaedeutic manner. In the oral examination, the candidate should also be given the opportunity to demonstrate special professional skills and abilities related to the intended teaching activity, such as basic communication and social skills. In addition, the candidate should explain his/her motivation for taking up a teaching degree course.

For the field of study Linguistics and Cultural Studies, related fields of activity include, in particular, educational and professional activities at private and public cultural institutions. In addition, other educational and professional activities may also be recognized by the Examination Board as related to the field of Linguistics and Cultural Studies. The proximity of the proven educational and professional activities to the field of linguistics and cultural studies must be stated in the application for admission and explained to the examination board upon request. Applicants who do not provide proof of educational and professional activities in a field related to the field of Linguistics and Cultural Studies must provide the examination board with proof of successful completion of qualified further education courses in the field of Linguistics and Cultural Studies.

The examination consists of a written examination in the form of a four-hour written exam and a 60-minute interview.

• Written examination:
  a) The first part of the written examination consists of an essay on a relevant subject. In particular, the aim is to show whether a complex topic can be dealt with systematically and whether relevant connections can be shown. In addition, it should be checked whether the candidate has the written language skills necessary for the subject studies.
  b) In the second part of the written examination, basic mathematical and English skills are tested.
• Oral examination:
  a) In the oral examination, the basic knowledge required for the subject study program and the necessary oral expression skills in German and English are tested on the basis of subject-relevant topics. At least two weeks before the examination date, the candidate submits a list of five proposed topics to the chair of the examination board, which must be agreed with and approved by the chair. One proposed topic must relate to knowledge of the German language and literature, while English language skills must be required to explain another topic.
  b) If the examination is not conducted in German, the examination of subject-related expressive skills in German shall be replaced by an examination in the language specified for the examination. The regulations for determining the examination topics remain unaffected by this.

Procedure of the examination process:

1. Your application documents submitted digitally via the online application will be reviewed by the chairperson of the examination board. You may be invited to a consultation via the email address you have provided (by the end of April/beginning of May).
2. The Examination Board may waive the written examination if this does not appear to be necessary due to previous written achievements during a guest study program, a continuing education program offered by the university or due to a comparably qualified previous education, which includes written examinations, in the opinion of the Examination Board. The written paper(s) should be submitted to the Examination Board by mid-April at the latest.
3. You will receive a letter of admission by post (vss. mid-May) with your examination date or your two examination dates if you are examined in writing and orally.
4. The oral examination will take place in mid-June. If a written examination also takes place, then not less than 7 and not more than 30 calendar days after the date of the examination interview.
5. Please submit your five proposed topics for the oral examination to the chairperson of the examination board no later than two weeks before the examination date.
6. Both parts of the examination must be passed in order to pass the examination as a whole.