The course of studies equips the student with a fundamental social sciences qualification. It enables the student to work in direct contact with children and their families as well as in relevant supporting institutions within the education, social and health sectors or related planning committees on a communal, regional or federal level. Students who have completed the course are also in an excellent position to represent the needs and desires of children to the relevant political authorities.

The degree course in Applied Childhood Studies is a programme with a social sciences orientation. As an interdisciplinary subject, Childhood Studies involves knowledge and understanding of all disciplines and subjects that are relevant for working with and on behalf of children and young people. Apart from (social) pedagogy and psychology, these include in particular sociology (of childhood), health sciences/public health and political sciences.

Internship

The course includes a four-week practical study project at the end of the second semester and a practical internship semester in the fifth semester. This practical semester takes the form of 20 weeks of full-time employment in an institution relevant to the course of studies and can also be completed abroad.

A higher education entrance qualification is a general prerequisite for admittance to the programme of study. International applicants must provide proof of educational qualifications that permit study in Germany (school-leaving certificate, certificate of university attendance).

The DAAD database on admission requirements allows international students to check whether they meet the requirements for the degree programme of their choice in Germany.

The language of instruction is German. Foreign applicants must prove they have adequate knowledge of German. Evidence of the necessary German language skills can be provided in the form of:

• Goethe Certificate C2
• DSD II
• DSH II
• TestDaF (minimun 16 total points & minimun level3 in the examination modules)
• TELC Deutsch C1 Hochschule
• ÖSD C2
• evidence of having passed the entrance examination at a preparatory college

Applicants who are unable to fulfil the specified admission requirements may contact a preparatory college (‘Studienkolleg’). These specifically prepare foreign applicants for a course of study in Germany. Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences does not have its own preparatory college. The state-run preparatory college responsible for our institution is located at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Köthen.

An overview of all preparatory colleges in Germany can be found here.

In Magdeburg you can find a private preparatory college: Europäisches Studienkolleg der Wirtschaft (ESKW)