Vocational Education and Personnel Capacity Building

The Master's course of study "Vocational Education and Personnel Capacity Building" presupposes a university degree in a scientific-technical area, in economic science or education science. Its goal is the acquisition of scientific and technical performance competence for tasks in pre-service and continuous vocational education and training, and in human resource development. The following tasks are essential:
1. Teaching in vocational education and further vocational education
2. Administrative tasks in institutions of vocational education and further vocational education
3. Administrative and concept designing tasks in projects of vocational education
4. Administrative and concept designing tasks in teacher education for the vocational education area
5. Research activities in vocational education and further vocational education as well as in adult education
The study programme extends and intensifies existing knowledge and experience in the domains of project planning, design, and evaluation of vocational education as well as adult education and human resource development according to varying country-specific contexts.
The study programme aims at showing students how to further the manifold integration of a vocational education system, from measures and projects of vocational education and further education, into the structure of a society. Students will be able to put the resulting influences and developments into practice.
The training should enable graduates to work in institutions of vocational education and further vocational education, universities and research institutes, administration, planning and consultancy bureaus, human resources and education departments in economic enterprises and in national and international organisations, which deal with the development of human resources on national or regional levels.

Educational organisation

This four-semester postgraduate programme always starts in October. It consists of lectures and seminars amounting to about 22 classes per week in three semesters. The course is completed with one semester of work on the Master's thesis. The programme is divided into a compulsory section for basic training and a section of optional classes chosen in accordance with the student's later professional field. It includes two internships of four weeks each.

Study abroad unit(s)

Field research - minimum of four weeks

Internships

Two internships are part of the examination regulations. The first one will take place in institutions of vocational education and further education for four weeks. The second one serves as field research for your Master's thesis and will last for a minimum of four weeks.

Forms of assessment

The Master's examination consists of modular examinations and the Master's thesis including a colloquium (defence). A module ends with a modular examination, which usually comprises several examination achievements or different parts.
Examination achievements are to be rendered through written tests, semester papers and other appropriate written papers, project work, oral tests, presentations and/or other examinations.
Examination achievements are to be gained throughout the course of study.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, graduates will have obtained the qualifications for employment in the field of Vocational Education and Personnel Capacity Building in areas like administration, in offices of planning and consultation, in departments of personnel management, education, continuing education and retraining in enterprises, in national and international organisations, in vocational, technical and engineering schools.
They obtain qualifications for planning, design and implementation of teaching processes and projects, analysis of educational needs and management of education as well as supervision and evaluation of courses and projects in vocational education and personnel capacity building.

Language requirements

German Language: DSH 2 or TestDaF 4

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

• A degree in engineering, business studies, or education, or an equivalent qualification recognised in Germany
• DSH language test
• age limit for DAAD scholarships: 36

Enrolment fees

The enrolment fee is currently about 260 EUR per semester and includes a semester ticket, which entitles students to use public transport in and around Dresden and regional trains within the federal state of Saxony. Additionally, it offers benefits (e.g. price reductions) for many cultural and leisure activities in Dresden.

Costs of living

The cost of living varies according to personal needs and preferences. However, about 700 EUR per month represents an average budget for a student in Dresden, including expenses for accommodation, food, items of everyday life, and insurance.
(This figure is relatively low compared to other big German cities.)

Arrival support

The university provides counselling via e-mail and personal appointments regarding all matters related to arrival and living in Dresden, guided campus tours, and welcome receptions to which new students are invited to meet other students and professors.
For PhD students and researchers, the Welcome Center also provides additional support services concerning visa issues, finding suitable accommodation, etc.

Services and support for international students

TU Dresden International Office offers a tutor network that helps new international students organise their studies. All international freshers are invited to an introduction day at the beginning of their first semester, on which they will also meet their tutors.
Furthermore, the International Office's cultural office and various student initiatives provide a plethora of social and cultural activities each semester (guided city tours, trips in the region and to other cities in Germany or neighbouring countries, language tandems, etc.).

Accommodation

It is quite easy to find accommodation in Dresden. Accommodation is available either via the Studentenwerk Dresden or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 250 EUR.
Private housing can be found online. We recommend moving into a hall of residence at the beginning of your stay in Dresden and later find a place on the private market or in a shared apartment, known in German as a "Wohngemeinschaft".