During the programme

The first year focuses on what it means to be a teacher. You will do an internship at a Dutch school for one day a week. You will also work on improving your German proficiency and learn about the culture of the German-speaking countries.

Subjects

You will get subjects on German culture and its surprising contrasts, e.g., How is it possible that a nation with such a grand musical history could be so enamoured of the canned Tirolean music broadcast on TV? How could Weimar be the home of both Goethe and the Buchenwald concentration camp? Or take Berlin with its stunning blend of ancient and modern architecture. A city without limits in the 1920s that became a symbol of corruption during the Nazi regime – and after the war, it was ruled by communism and repression in the east while embracing capitalism in the west. Currently, it is politically, commercially and culturally amongst the major cities in Europe.

The main phase of the programme consists of literature, teaching methodology, German culture, linguistics, second language acquisition and language proficiency. You will spend a semester as an exchange student at a German or Austrian university to improve your German proficiency. The semester abroad is mandatory unless you are an international student from Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

During your third year, you further develop your knowledge, and undertake more internships. You create your own lesson plans and teach classes (almost) independently, while still getting feedback from your school supervisor.

Your final year focuses on completing your degree. About half of your time is spent doing an internship at a Dutch high school, where you teach your own classes and undertake a research project for the school, supported by us and your school supervisor. The rest of the week consists of optional course subjects, study-work supervision, weekly reflection meetings and preparing for your final assessment.

Are you ambitious? Do you want more from your degree? You can follow our Honours programme alongside your regular coursework. You will do extra projects that take about eight to ten hours extra per week.

At the end of your first year, you will receive study advice. For example whether the programme is suitable for you or not, or that you may need to draw up a study plan with the study career counsellor. This advice is not binding. Of course, we assume that you will weigh the advice carefully and take it into account in your choice of study.

Unique to this course is that talented and ambitious students can opt for a fiveyear course that leads to a double Bachelor’s degree. For example, one in German and one in English. You will have an additional workload of around eight to ten hours a week.

From day one, you are allocated a "professional development mentors", who supports you during your time with us. He or she helps you with all study-related issues, from time management to study methods and career planning.

Are you dealing with an auditory, visual or physical impairment, chronic illness, psychological vulnerability or neurodiversity such as dyslexia, ADD, ADHD or ASD? Or do you experience challenges due to (informal) care duties or family circumstances? At HU, you can count on appropriate support. Together, we will ensure that you can continue your studies successfully.

Be advised that this part-time programme will require a lot of your own time spend on studying. Teaching hours per week: 3-4 Contact hours per week: avg 16 (year 1) and 12 (year 2 onwards) Hours of self-study per week: 24 hours in year 1; 28 hours from year 2 onwards.

Want to find out what you will be paying? Use our tuition fee calculator.

Courses conclude with exams, tests, assignments, essays or portfolios. Exams may also be broken down into partial exams (or partial tests). Exams are held at the end of each term and are posted on the examination timetable.

During the programme you work in learning teams: small groups of students who learn and study together: a fun way to get to know people and build language skills too! A team has five to seven students, guided by a coach and lecturers.