Englisch 
Deutsch Who this programme fits and what you need to get in
This part-time bachelor is designed for practitioners who work with children and want to earn an academic degree alongside employment. It suits: early years educators in nurseries or after-school care aiming to deepen pedagogy and qualify for more responsibility; professionals from adjacent fields such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or social work who support children and plan to shift into early childhood education; career changers already engaged in educational settings (e.g. teaching assistants, childcare workers) who can commit to the regular on-site phases in Neubrandenburg.
Admission requirements
To enrol you need a valid higher education entrance qualification plus professional eligibility. In detail:
- Language of instruction: German. You must be able to study, discuss and write academic texts in German at an advanced level (typically CEFR C1). Universities in Germany commonly accept certificates such as TestDaF (TDN 4 in all parts), DSH-2 or Goethe-Zertifikat C1 as proof.
- University entrance: a recognised higher education entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur or an equivalent foreign school-leaving certificate). Alternatively, admission via the university’s entrance examination for this programme is possible.
- Professional eligibility – provide one of the following:
- A completed, state-recognised vocational qualification in Germany in a relevant field (e.g. educator for 0–10 years, social pedagogy/social work, education studies with comparable qualification, remedial/curative education, teaching qualification with first state exam, social assistant or childcare worker, community/music/dance/sport/theatre pedagogy, speech therapy, family care, paediatric nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy). Comparable qualifications can be recognised; the examination board decides on equivalence.
- Or: at least three years of professional experience with relevant pedagogical practice of 15 hours per week over a minimum of 24 months.
- On-site study phases: ability to attend in Neubrandenburg for approx. one block week plus four Friday/Saturday sessions each semester; plan for travel, accommodation and any visa arrangements.
- Start and deadlines: intake each winter semester; typical application deadline 15 August.
- Accreditation: programme accredited (ACQUIN) through 30 September 2028.
Personal requirements
Working and studying in parallel demands firm self-organisation, reliability and support from your employer for the block week and Friday/Saturday sessions. Expect sustained independent study between presence phases and regular reflection on your own practice. You need confident academic German for readings, seminar discussions and assessments; if German is not your first language, plan extra time for literature and writing. Stable internet access and basic digital skills are necessary for the learning platform. Finally, be realistic about logistics: book travel early for the on-site phases in Neubrandenburg and build a study routine that fits your weekly work and family commitments.
What will you study in the Pedagogy of Childhood (B.A.) at the University of Neubrandenburg?
The programme is taught in German. You will need proven German proficiency suitable for academic study; common certificates in Germany include TestDaF, DSH or a Goethe-Zertifikat. Content focuses on early childhood education (ages 0–10) and combines theory, research and practice in a professionally oriented, part-time format over 6 semesters (180 ECTS).
You build a foundation in early childhood pedagogy and development: modules such as Foundations of Early Education, Developmental Psychology, and Socialisation–Education–Learning help you understand how children grow and learn in family, daycare and community contexts. You also work on self-reflection and biographical learning to develop your professional identity.
Language, cognition and well-being are a second focus: you examine Language–Perception–Thinking, Aesthetic Education, Body and Health, and how to create developmentally supportive learning environments. Diversity and Inclusion (parts I and II) address gender sensitivity, special needs and equitable participation.
Practice, research and quality shape the third strand: you learn Qualitative and Quantitative Social Research, engage in Reflected Practice (studienbegleitende Praxis) linked to your job, and study Leadership and Quality Management to prepare for supervisory roles in early years settings.
Law, organisation and community complete the profile: you cover Legal Frameworks, Organisational Structures and basic management/economics of childcare providers, plus Networking and Social-Space Orientation to work effectively with families and local partners.
Electives: you choose one elective module to deepen a topic (e.g. inclusion, leadership, creative education). The programme concludes with a research colloquium and a Bachelor’s thesis. The degree includes state recognition as a childhood pedagogue (staatliche Anerkennung). Explanations: Fernstudium = distance learning; Fachhochschule = a German university of applied sciences focusing on applied teaching and research; ZFU = the German authority approving private distance-learning courses.
How does the Pedagogy of Childhood distance programme work?
This is a part-time, blended programme with mandatory on-site teaching in Neubrandenburg. It is not a fully online Fernstudium. Teaching is in German, and study activities combine in-person block phases with guided self-study via the learning platform.
Teaching language and language certificates
Teaching takes place in German. For admission you must demonstrate sufficient German proficiency for academic study. In Germany this is commonly evidenced through DSH, TestDaF or Goethe-Zertifikat. All classes, materials, assignments and examinations are in German.
Learning format and study materials
You study alongside your job over 6 semesters. Each semester includes roughly one block week plus four Friday/Saturday presence phases. Between these dates you work with digital materials on the university’s learning management system and in small study circles. Typical class days run 09:00–17:00 (CET/CEST).
Examinations and where you take them
Assessments include written assignments, presentations, practical projects and written exams that are generally tied to the scheduled on-site phases in Neubrandenburg. There is no network of international exam centres and no stated online proctoring for final exams. Public degree programmes of universities are not subject to a ZFU approval number (ZFU governs private Fernunterricht).
Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany
Attendance in Neubrandenburg is required each semester: about one block week plus four Friday/Saturday sessions on campus. If you live outside Germany, you must be able to travel for these dates. A purely remote study path is not possible; a visa is not needed for online study, but recurring entries to Germany may require appropriate travel/visa planning.
Workload, time model and time zones
The programme is designed for employed professionals. Contact hours are concentrated into the block and weekend phases; self-study and practice projects occur between sessions. Live activities follow German time (CET/CEST), typically 09:00–17:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
What does the Pedagogy of Childhood cost?
Tuition is listed at about €588 per semester, payable in monthly instalments of around €100 per month. Over the standard 6-semester duration this totals roughly €3,800. Fees are modest compared with many international programmes, especially given the public-university setting. Payments from abroad are generally possible via standard international transfers; check any bank charges on your side.
Budget for personal travel and accommodation for the on-site phases in Neubrandenburg; these costs are not included in tuition. If you need more time than the standard duration, ask early about extension rules and any administrative fees; public institutions often allow limited extensions at low or no additional tuition, but travel costs would still apply.
What careers and recognition does the Pedagogy of Childhood offer?
You graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (180 ECTS) aligned with the Bologna system. The programme is ACQUIN-accredited through 30 September 2028 under Germany’s Accreditation Council. Degrees from a public Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) are state-recognised and widely understood across Europe. ECTS credits facilitate international comparison and mobility; outside Europe, credential evaluators typically treat the B.A. as an undergraduate degree in early childhood/education studies.
In Germany the degree carries state recognition as a childhood pedagogue (staatlich anerkannte Kindheitspädagogin/Kindheitspädagoge). Internationally, the qualification supports roles that value early years expertise but do not mandate a country-specific teacher licence. Typical career paths include:
- Educator or pedagogical specialist in nurseries, preschools and after-school care
- Family and community outreach in child and youth services
- Centre leadership, team lead or quality coordinator in early years settings
- Inclusion and language-development specialist across early childhood programmes
- Project roles in NGOs or municipalities focused on early childhood and social space work
Salaries vary by country, employer (public/NGO/private), and leadership responsibility. In Germany, public-sector pay follows collective agreements; moving into leadership and quality roles typically increases pay bands. Outside Germany, employers often benchmark against local early childhood education roles; your accredited, 180-ECTS degree and applied practice will be key signals.
Who is the Pedagogy of Childhood right for – and who not?
This programme suits working professionals in early childhood education who want an accredited, practice-oriented degree without pausing their careers. The schedule concentrates on-site learning into block and weekend sessions and supports self-study between dates.
- You already work with children aged 0–10 and want to formalise and deepen your expertise with a university degree
- You seek a state-recognised qualification with clear leadership and quality-management components
- You prefer small cohorts (about 20–25 students) with close academic support and practice integration
- You can travel to Neubrandenburg several times per semester for intensive sessions
- You value a German public university degree and the portability of 180 ECTS credits
It is not the right choice if you need a fully online programme or if you cannot study in German. Be realistic about recurring travel and the Friday/Saturday time blocks in the German time zone.
- You need a 100% online programme with remote exams and no on-site days
- You do not have the German language skills for academic study; all teaching and exams are in German
- You cannot travel to Germany for the block week and four Friday/Saturday sessions each semester
- You require a degree that grants a country-specific teacher licence for regulated K-12 teaching; this programme targets early childhood and does not replace national teacher training
Advisory Service
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