• You should be enthusiastic about mathematics! Prior knowledge of mathematics will get you off to a good start in the program. Our preparatory courses help ensure that all students are on an equal footing after their secondary education.
• As an aspiring teacher, a love of teaching, an interest in an array of didactic methods, and a good instinct for working with pupils are important requirements.
• Those with a general intellectual curiosity, the ability to express themselves precisely and clearly, and the endurance and patience to work through frustration will be ideally equipped for the program.
• Strong proficiency in English will make it easier to read and understand the specialist literature in English (the international language of science). However, you will not have to provide proof of your language skills.

This program is studied as a part of the Bachelor of Education degree program (teacher education for Gymnasium). The degree program always includes two teaching subjects as well as the subject of Education Studies.

Program structure

The teacher education degree course “Bachelor of Education in Mathematics” combines the subject of Mathematics with one other subject. Mathematics can be combined with any of the other teaching subjects available at the University of Mainz. In addition to the subject-specific didactic methods, you will also become familiar with Education Studies. The standard period of study is six semesters. During the first two semesters, you will study the fundamentals of mathematics (basic studies). To facilitate the crossovers between the B.Ed. and B.Sc. degree programs easier, the mathematics courses in the first year of study are virtually identical to those in the first year of the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degree program. In the third through sixth semesters, the fundamentals of mathematics will be consolidated and fundamentals of numerical analysis and stochastics will be added (core studies). The core study program also includes teaching methods particular to the field of study. If Mathematics was chosen as the first of two subjects, the bachelor’s thesis and the final oral examination are designated to take place during the sixth semester.

Basic studies (1st–2nd semester)

• Fundamentals of analysis
• Fundamentals of linear algebra and geometry
• Elementary mathematics
• Introduction to subject didactics 

Core studies (3rd–6th semester)

• Consolidation of fundamentals from the first year of study
• Fundamentals of numerical analysis and stochastics
• Subject didactics

Stay abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Internships

In the Bachelor of Education, you will complete three 3-week internships and experience different types of schools firsthand. This practical experience will complement your theoretical training, help you practice your pedagogical skills in the classroom, and give you direction for your future career.

For more information, please visit the website for school internships provided by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Students interested in completing additional voluntary internships – including those in other professional fields – can find more information on the Career Service website.

The teacher education degree program prepares you – and is also a prerequisite – for teaching in secondary schools (Gymnasium) throughout Germany. Not only will you acquire comprehensive knowledge about the subject, you will also learn how to convey this knowledge to your future students in a fun and creative way, while inspiring interest for your subject.

To work as a teacher later on, you must also obtain the Master of Education after completing your bachelor’s degree and then complete a teacher traineeship (Referendariat).

However, you are not restricted solely to classroom teaching after completing the teacher education program. You can also work in a variety of professional fields beyond teaching in public schools.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.