Would you like to combine studying and learning with work experience in the early child education sector? Would you like to apply your knowledge in a professional setting from the beginning?
If so, the dual bachelor's degree programme in Childhood Education Dual (BA) will be the right choice for you!
Start with your studies and practical training by choosing a partnering institution/workplace!
6 semesters, practice-integrated (incl. 300 practical hours per semester)
15/06 – 15/08 (admission-free) |
Note: start of studies for the winter semester 2026/27
180 ECTS credit points
What makes the on-campus and online Childhood Education Dual (BA) degree programme special is that, from the start of your studies, you will work in a daycare centre or other child or youth welfare facility of your choice and actively contribute to improving living conditions for children and their families.
The programme focuses on children from birth to 12 years of age and their families. During your studies, you will acquire the theoretical knowledge and skills to accompany children in their developmental and educational processes and to work with families.
You will develop
The six-semester bachelor's degree programme in Childhood Education Dual (BA) is structured as a weekly model of "3 days of teaching and 2 days of practice". This proven model of practice-integrated study not only provides continuity, but also space to reflect on your practical experience.
You will receive monthly financial remuneration from the workplace/cooperating partner. Fixed contact persons at the university and aour workplace will support you in your professional development. Upon completion of the degree programme, you will receive state recognition as a childhood educator.
You can find more information under Career Prospects, Programme Content, Practice Partners, Application and Contact.
The future research kindergarten at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam aims to do research with children aged 0 to 6 years.
The knowledge gained from early childhood development processes will serve as a base for your term papers and dissertations.
Would you like to ask any questions about crèche, kindergarten or child and youth welfare services?
Our advice service is available to answer your questions on Tuesdays from 9 am to 10 am. Please register in advance via e-mail: kindheitspaedagogikdual@fh-potsdam.de
Anniversary conference 2024: 20 years of Early Childhood Education degree programmes at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Research project "Social work in daycare centres and family centres in Brandenburg" by Prof. Dr Tanja Salem:
The project deals with the implementation of social work in daycare centres and family centres.
The aim of the certificate programme is to provide scientific, conceptual, strategic and action-oriented skills for managerial, planning, coordinating and evaluating activities in the field of fan and spectator management.
Social work in daycare centres, also known as daycare centre social work, has been a growing field of activity in Germany for the last ten years. The aim is to mitigate the consequences of social inequality for children's education. This issue is currently under discussion as part of the planned Startchancen programme for daycare centres, which the federal government intends to implement from 2026…
Extended reality and AI-supported counselling for parents in understanding and dealing constructively with their children's emotions
The colleagues at the Student Counselling Services provide information to prospective and first-year students, parents, teachers and other students on all general questions relating to the degree programme. If you have specific questions and concerns about a dual bachelor's degree programme in Childhood Education, please contact the degree programme development team. For subject-specific questions, the Student Counselling Services are the correct point of contact.
Counselling and advice is provided by the team of the Childhood Education Dual degree programme
Please send your e-mail to:
kindheitspaedagogikdual@fh-potsdam.de
| Department | Degree programme | Teaching language | Start of study | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Childhood Education (BA)* | German | Winter semester | 15/05 - 15/07 (admission restricted) | |
| |
Childhood Education Dual (BA)* | German | Winter semester | 15/06 – 15/08 (admission-free) | |
| |
Early Childhood Education (BA) | German | Winter semester | 15/05 – 15/07 (admission restricted) |
| |
Early Childhood Studies (MA) | German | Winter semester | 15/06 – 15/10 (free of admission) |
| |
MA Social Work with a Focus on the Family | German | Winter semester | 15.05. – 22.06. (NC degree program) |
| |
Social Work (BA) | German | Winter semester | 15/05 – 15/07 (restricted admission) |
| |
Social Work (part-time for professionals) (BA) | German | Summer semester | 15/12 – 15/01 (admission restricted) |
| |
Social Work Dual-Digital (BA) | German | Winter semester | 15/06 – 15/07 (free of admission) |
| |
Sustainable Social Work: Child/hood and Family (MA)* | German, English | Winter semester | 15/05 - 22/06 (admission restricted) Note: Studies begin in the winter semester 2026/27 |
* The degree programme in Childhood Education Dual (BA) will start in the winter semester 2026/27, pending to approval.
Childhood Education at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam means: child-centred education with depth, diversity of perspectives and attitude. The degree and state recognition open up access to a career in all fields of childhood education. The professional profile of childhood educators.
If you take a dual degree, you will have the opportunity to grow directly into a social organisation, shape your professional career and lay the foundations for a career entry with professional experience, in addition to receiving regular funding throughout your studies.
After the bachelor's degree programme, you can complete a MA programme, which gives you access to the higher civil service or work in the academic and research sector.
After completing your bachelor's degree, you can apply for state recognition as a childhood educator. State recognition is based on the Brandenburg Social Professions Act. You can find all the important information on the website of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the State of Brandenburg and the State Office for Social Affairs and Care of the State of Brandenburg.
The information sheet from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the State of Brandenburg summarises the documents to be submitted for state recognition as a childhood educator.
The bachelor's degree programme in Childhood Education Dual has a modular structure and consists of compulsory and elective modules (Future Science 1, 2 or 3). The practical components with six "Integrated Professional Practice" module units create a close link between theory and practice in each semester and are supported and reflected on by the university via casuistry labs.
Accompanying mentoring in practice offers the opportunity to acquire reflection and action skills and to be able to work confidently in the professional field. The module units enable flexible study with face-to-face formats or digital-synchronous and asynchronous teaching-learning formats in order to offer you the greatest possible flexibility during the highly practice-oriented programme. The Casuistry Lab as a safe space, the Study Lab and the Research Lab offer space for reflection in research groups with the principle of the Scientific Community of Practice (SCoP).
In the module handbooks and study and examination regulations of the Department of Social and Educational Sciences, which will be available soon, you will find the module overview, a detailed description of the modules and course content as well as the study plan for the Childhood Education Dual (BA) degree programme.
Individual specialisation from the range of courses offered by the degree programme
The degree programme concept consisting of digital lectures with cumulative multimodal examinations, casuistry labs and a scientific community of practice offers you a great deal of flexibility for your individual course of study and the opportunity to gain experience in a research-based community. The programme concludes with the completion of a thesis and a colloquium.
The following semester model provides an overall view of all modules in the degree programme.
The practice-integrated bachelor's degree programme in Childhood Education Dual at the Department of Social and Educational Sciences will start in the winter semester 2026/27 in October 2026.
The potential practice partners and the already recognised practice partners in the joint training network introduce themselves.
Contact: Katja Dieckmeyer (overall management)
E-mail: buero@spatzennest.info
Applications are no longer being accepted as the study place has already been filled.
Do you want to study Childhood Education Dual (BA) and are you missing a practice partner? These organisations are potential practice partners of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.
Simply send us an unsolicited application!
Would you like to become a practice/transfer partner/workplace partner for our bachelor's degree programme in Childhood Education Dual? Child and youth welfare organisations as well as comparable institutions and facilities outside the social economy can be recognised as practice/transfer partners. Find out more about our principles for recognition.
The currently valid module handbook and the study and examination regulations for the bachelor's degree programme in Childhood Education Dual can be found on the website of the Department of Social and Educational Sciences after publication.
The most important deadlines, dates and admission requirements for the dual bachelor's degree programme in Childhood Education are summarised here. You can find out which steps you need to follow for a successful application in the next section.
Below you will find out which aspects are important from the application to a practice partner or the recognition of your own practice partner, to the conclusion of an education contract andenrolment.
Under the following links you, and especially international applicants, will find further information on the topics of application and enrolment at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.
Would you like to apply for a degree programme in your first or higher semester, having obtained your school-leaving certificate and/or university degree abroad? If so, you can have your qualifications and achievements recognised and study with us.
The Application and Study Service provides information and advice on general questions about the application process, admission and enrolment at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, application for a higher semester, but also on topics such as compensation for disadvantages, part-time study, waiting semesters and hardship applications.
The Student Counselling Services provides information and advice on general questions about studying and on topics such as choosing a degree programme, application, enrolment and study organisation. For subject-specific questions about module content, credit transfer, examinations or study specialisations in the Childhood Education Dual degree programme, the programme-specific student advisory is the right place to go.
Subject counselling is provided by the team of the dual degree programme of Childhood Education Dual (BA).
Please send your e-mail to:
kindheitpaedagogikdual@fh-potsdam.de
Study Info Service
studien-info-service@fh-potsdam.de
bewerbungs-service@fh-potsdam.de
campuskarte@fh-potsdam.de
Study Service
studien-service@fh-potsdam.de
Exam Service
pruefungs-service@fh-potsdam.de
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