News from
News from the universities: In the winter semester 2025/26, the new degree course "Teaching Qualification for Secondary Schools with Special Needs Education" is to start in East Saxony as a joint course offered by Leipzig University and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. With this cooperation, Leipzig University and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences are setting new standards in teacher training.
In particular, it is planned that classroom teaching will take place at both locations of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and that school internships will be completed in the region of Eastern Saxony - an important contribution to the regionalization of teacher training.
This concept is unique in Saxony in that it combines the study of two subjects for the teaching profession at secondary schools with the supplementary subject of special educational focus on learning. The prospective teachers are thus prepared in a special way for the challenges of inclusive school practice.
They can choose from the subjects mathematics, biology, German and economics/technology/household/social studies. The secondary school subjects are combined with a focus on learning. The duration of study for the planned course, which concludes with the first state examination, and the extension subject is a total of 10 semesters or 300 credit points (CP). The course qualifies students for the preparatory service at secondary schools or special schools.
In a first reading last week, the Senate of Leipzig University has already approved the establishment of the joint degree course in secondary school teaching with special needs education, as has the Senate of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.
Prospective students can now register on the websites of both universities:
Information page of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
Leipzig University information page
Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow says: "The Free State of Saxony is responding to the shortage of teachers in Upper Lusatia with this innovative range of courses. I am very pleased that the course is already scheduled to start in the winter semester 2025/26. Thanks to the unique cooperation between Leipzig University and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, we will then bring the undergraduate teacher training course to Eastern Saxony and thus to one of the regions where the demand for teachers in secondary schools and special schools is particularly high."
Minister of Education Conrad Clemens adds: "Become a teacher and stay in Upper Lusatia. The new teacher training course at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is great news for eastern Saxony and an important contribution to combating the shortage of teachers. It is an attractive option for young people to stay here after school or come to the region - and then teach later on."
Eva Inés Obergfell, Rector of Leipzig University, emphasizes: "The range of courses on offer shows what an innovative solution for society can look like, especially in rural areas. This will enable us to actively address the shortage of teachers at schools in Lusatia. We are delighted to be able to take the final steps together with the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences towards the start of the course in the winter semester 2025/26. We would also like to thank the two ministries involved for their support during the concept phase and at the start."
Alexander Kratzsch, Rector of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, also emphasizes the importance: "With this forward-looking study model, we are sending a strong signal for the education of our children, for strengthening our schools and for the future of our region. It is a matter close to my heart to offer young people in East Saxony a real opportunity: an education with prospects, right on their doorstep. I would like to thank Leipzig University and the ministries involved. Their support makes this joint success possible."
