Master's in Education

At master's level, Education can be studied as a mono master's, a major or a minor. The single-subject (mono) master's consists of 120 ECTS credits and usually takes four semesters to complete.

The master's degree program is an in-depth study program focusing on independent working on problems, the writing of a thesis and implementation of research methods. One of the following focus areas can be selected as part of the master's program: General and Historical Education, Pedagogical Psychology, Sociology of Education or School and Classroom Research.

Master Erziehungswissenschaft
Basic information
Degree: Master of Science in Education, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 120 ECTS credits
Degree programs:
  • Mono 120 ECTS credits
  • Major 90 ECTS credits

 

Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor 30 ECTS credits
Combination possibilities: several
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: German
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Mono master's (120 ECTS credits)

For students holding a bachelor's degree, study content takes the form of courses such as seminars, practical research training, colloquia, internships in the education sector, special educational theory and master's thesis. For students holding a Swiss recognized teaching diploma based on a bachelor's or master's degree for teaching staff, study content takes the form of lectures, seminars, practical research training, colloquia, extracurricular academic attainments and master's thesis.

Master's major (90 ECTS credits)

Specialist skills acquired as part of a bachelor's degree are enhanced and skills for independent academic work and problem analysis are developed. Students achieve this by attending seminars and colloquia, completing practical research training and writing a master's thesis.

Master's minor (30 ECTS credits)

With Education as a minor, students can earn 30 ECTS credits by attending seminars.

The master's in Education can be completed as a single subject (mono) master's with 120 ECTS credits, or as a major (90 ECTS credits) and a minor (30 ECTS credits).

The major can be combined with all other minors at the University of Bern to attain the number of credits required; only majors and minors in the same degree program are not permitted.

Minors at other universities may also be permitted, on request.

Study program structures
Mono program / major ECTS Minor ECTS 
120 -
  90 30

Important dates

Registration for courses (lectures, introductory seminars, research methods)

Course registration is via CTS. The deadlines for registration and deregistration can be found in the CTS for the relevant course and are stated on the Institute of Education's website at the beginning of the semester.

Registration and deregistration for performance assessments (examinations)

Deadlines for registration and deregistration for courses and performance assessments (examinations) are set via CTS and are stated on the Institute of Education's website at the beginning of the semester. After the deadlines have passed, the definitive number of places is allocated: seminar places are restricted to 25 students and introductory seminar places are restricted to 35 students.

Performance assessment dates

Performance assessments (examinations) usually take place in the last course session.

Individual academic requirements 

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in Education (mono or major):

a) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university in the branch of studies Education *
b) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university with a major in another branch of studies, provided that the master's degree can be successfully completed with an additional maximum 60 ECTS credits. *
c) Swiss recognized teaching diploma based on a bachelor's or master's degree from a university of teacher education, provided that the master's degree can be successfully completed with an additional maximum 60 ECTS credits.
d) Bachelor's degree from a recognized foreign university:
Academic qualifications will be assessed to ensure that they are consistent with the University of Bern bachelor's degree. Admission can be granted, provided that the master's degree can be successfully completed with an additional maximum 60 ECTS credits. *
* Additional attainments can either be admission requirements which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program or admission requirements which must be fulfilled before admission to the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

Please consult the admission requirements for the minor as presented in the plan of studies.

The bachelor's degree is valid for five years without restriction. Recognition will be individually decided upon if the degree is more than five years old.

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M Sc in Education with special qualification in ..., Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration
   

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration
 

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Career opportunities and professional profiles

  • Doctoral studies
  • Education administration
  • Education management
  • Education planning
  • Educational authorities
  • Private education institutions
  • Further education institutions
  • Human resources offices
  • Human Resources
  • Counseling institutions

Counselling Centre Universities of Bern

Master's - what next?