International Programmes 2024/2025

MA Research on Learning and Instruction MA Research on Learning and Instruction

University of Augsburg • Augsburg

Degree
Master of Arts
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

Courses are held in English. Participants can choose to write the Master's thesis in English or German.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Application deadline

15 June for the following winter semester

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

Educators and teachers in K-12 education, universities, and beyond are increasingly expected to identify, assess, and analyse educational problems and to solve them in competent and ethical ways. To be able to achieve this, they require current and well-grounded knowledge about the conditions and effects of the processes of learning and instruction. In this Master’s programme, students will acquire profound knowledge and skills related to research on learning and instruction. Through this — and under the guidance of highly qualified instructors — they will gain knowledge that is urgently needed in educational practice. 

The first part of the Research on Learning and Instruction Master’s programme is characterised by (a) a discursive and theory-based consideration of diverse disciplinary perspectives on learning and instruction (educational psychology, educational science, subject matter didactics, media didactics) and (b) an intensive research methods curriculum. In the second part of the study programme, students will specialise in two out of five areas and work on empirical research projects under intensive guidance from their instructors. The areas of specialisation are:

  1. cognitive and instructional processes of learning and instruction
  2. motivational and emotional processes of learning and instruction
  3. teaching and learning with media
  4. teacher professionalism and heterogeneity
  5. technology-supported assessment and facilitation of learning and instruction

Across its modules and courses, the main features of the programme are:

  • Strong research orientation: The teaching concept strongly mirrors the process of empirical research. Students not only discuss, but also produce empirical evidence on the conditions, processes, and effects of learning and instruction (under close guidance of the instructors). 
  • Interdisciplinary focus: The courses take psychological and educational perspectives on learning and instruction. In addition, perspectives from various subject matter didactics and media didactics are included. The courses also build on students’ diverse experiences from their previous study programmes. 
  • Internationalisation: The students discuss the current state of international research on learning and instruction. Also, they are encouraged to travel to international conferences and to pursue research stays abroad. 
  • Intensive guidance: Students’ research projects are closely supervised by the instructors, with an excellent instructor-to-student ratio. There are also plenty of opportunities for interaction and discussion outside the boundaries of the courses. 
  • Innovative course formats: The students receive plenty of high-level learning opportunities in authentic contexts (e.g. debates, project seminars, academic retreats, conferences).
Course organisation
A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
Integrated internships

Students are asked to complete a research internship of 180 hours at a research institution.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
Yes
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
Yes
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

150.63 EUR

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements

This programme addresses students with a degree in teacher education or Bachelor’s degrees from disciplines related to empirical research on learning and instruction (e.g. educational science, psychology, communication science, etc.). Further requirements are: 

  • Theoretical, domain-specific knowledge (e.g. theories of learning and instruction, motivational theories, teaching and learning with media, teacher professionalism, heterogeneous learning prerequisites, technology-supported assessment and facilitation of learning and instruction) 
  • Methodological knowledge and skills (e.g. data collection and analysis, foundations of diagnostics, basic statistics)
Language requirements

English language proficiency: B2 (e.g. TOEFL, to be submitted by the end of the first semester, free courses available here)

German language proficiency: A2 (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat A2, to be submitted by the end of the first semester, free courses available here)

Application deadline

15 June for the following winter semester

Submit application to

Applications should be sent via e-mail to: rli@phil.uni-augsburg.de.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Tutors
  • Specialist counselling
  • Visa matters
  • Help with finding accommodation
  • Support with registration procedures
General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

Individualised counselling is offered by the International Office of the University of Augsburg (https://www.uni-augsburg.de/en/organisation/einrichtungen/aaa/).

University of Augsburg

Content Bild

As a medium-sized city with a lively past and a booming present, Augsburg offers a high quality of life and plenty of attractive career opportunities. Being part of the Munich metropolitan area in an attractive region in the Alpine foothills, Augsburg is well-connected to the city of Munich and offers affordable housing opportunities. Students benefit from the amenities that a campus university entails. All facilities are in a compact location south of Augsburg city centre, which includes a spacious park landscape and a relaxed, but focused, study atmosphere.

University location

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