Lateral entry into the teaching profession opens up promising prospects for you in Brandenburg. The state is urgently looking for qualified teachers and offers committed specialists from other professional fields attractive opportunities to contribute their expertise to everyday school life. Your professional experience and specialist knowledge are valuable resources and a good basis for a successful career as a teacher.
Brandenburg is increasingly focusing on lateral entry in order to counter the growing shortage of teachers. You will benefit from a structured qualification program. Combine your previous professional experience with a career in education. In addition to a secure job, you can expect the opportunity to actively shape the future of education and accompany young people on their way.
Basic requirements for lateral entry
To enter the teaching profession in Brandenburg as a career changer, you must fulfill certain basic requirements. These requirements ensure that you have the necessary professional basis for a successful teaching career:
- University degree (Master's, Magister or Diplom) in a subject relevant to the teaching profession
- Subject-specific aptitude (subject of study must correspond to a teaching subject)
- German language skills at C2 level (for non-native speaker applicants)
- Police clearance certificate without relevant entries
- Health suitability
- Willingness to undergo pedagogical qualification and, if applicable, in-service preparatory service
- EU citizenship or recognized third country
- Flexibility to work at different school locations in Brandenburg
Required educational qualifications
Certain academic requirements must be met for lateral entry into the teaching profession in Brandenburg. The following qualifications are required to prove professional suitability for the teaching profession:
- DegreeMaster's degree, diploma or state examination with at least 300 ECTS (credit points).
- Professional aptitude90 ECTS in a teaching subject, ideally two subjects.
- Foreign degrees: Certificate of recognition required.
- Post-qualificationSecond subject can be completed while working.
- Basic pedagogical qualification500 hours during the first 13 months.
Professional experience and additional qualifications
Previous professional experience is not a mandatory requirement for lateral entry into the teaching profession in Brandenburg. The decisive factor is a suitable university degree. Before starting to teach, lateral entrants must complete a basic pedagogical qualification, which starts with a four-week compact course and is then continued on a part-time basis.
Additional qualifications can significantly strengthen your application and underline your suitability for the teaching profession. Experience in working with children and young people, for example through voluntary work in clubs or youth work, is particularly valuable. Further training in the field of education, foreign language skills or digital skills are also valued positively.
Photo: siripimon2525/Adobe Stock
Pedagogical qualification and preparatory service
The pedagogical qualification is an essential part of lateral entry into teaching in Brandenburg. It prepares students specifically for the challenges of everyday school life and provides them with the necessary pedagogical tools. The qualification process begins with a one-month compact pre-qualification prior to the first school assignment. This is followed by a two-month in-service qualification spread over twelve months. During this time, basic pedagogical skills, didactic methods and knowledge of school law are acquired. The training takes place in the form of face-to-face events at the relevant pedagogical centers and is supplemented by online modules.
After successfully completing the basic pedagogical qualification and if you have a permanent employment contract, you can apply for the part-time preparatory service. This normally lasts 24 months, but can be completed after 12 months at the earliest with the state examination. During this time, you will teach independently at a school and take part in seminars at the same time. This dual structure makes it possible to apply theoretical knowledge directly in practice and to continuously develop your teaching skills.
Subject combinations and school types
For lateral entrants in Brandenburg, the employment opportunities depend on the degree and the teaching subjects that can be derived from it. It is desirable that two subjects can be demonstrated that correspond to the teaching subjects. If a second subject is missing, this can be studied while working.
Possible subject combinations:
- Mathematics with physics or computer science
- German with history or political education
- English with another foreign language
- Biology with chemistry
- Art with music
- Sport with a natural science subject
Available areas of application:
- Elementary school (grades 1-6)
- Secondary schools (grades 7-10)
- Comprehensive schools (grades 7-13)
- Grammar schools (grades 7-12)
- Special schools (with appropriate additional qualification)
The exact deployment options depend on the current demand situation and the specific requirements of the respective type of school. It is therefore advisable to obtain information directly from the relevant education authorities or schools in Brandenburg.
Career prospects in Brandenburg
Brandenburg offers you exceptionally attractive future prospects as a career changer in the teaching profession. The current demand for qualified teachers is particularly high, and forecasts show a further increase in demand in the coming years. This opens up long-term career opportunities with a high level of professional security in the Brandenburg teaching profession.
The state of Brandenburg actively supports a career change with a comprehensive support and mentoring system. You will benefit from structured induction programs, continuous mentoring support and a wide range of further training opportunities. There are also financial support options, for example in the form of scholarships, which can make it easier for you to enter the teaching profession. This support enables a successful start to a new career and offers clear development prospects.
Brandenburg specialists portal: discover career opportunities
You can find all relevant information on current job vacancies and development opportunities in the education sector in the Brandenburg specialist portal. Our platform offers you a comprehensive overview of available positions at various school locations, detailed information on the job market in the education sector and practical support in your job search. Use this central point of contact to plan and shape your career in Brandenburg's education system.
Salary and remuneration
During your qualification phase as a career changer in the Brandenburg education system, you will receive a salary that depends on your qualifications and the area in which you work. As a rule, you will be graded according to the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L), whereby your previous professional experience may be taken into account.
After successful completion of the preparatory service, there is the possibility of being taken on as a civil servant. Teachers in Brandenburg are paid in salary group A13. In addition to the basic salary, various allowances can be granted, for example for special functions or deployment in certain regions.
As a civil servant teacher, you also benefit from comprehensive social security, including an additional pension scheme and entitlement to benefits. Further information on your individual classification can be obtained from the relevant education authorities in the state of Brandenburg.
Your next steps towards a career as a teacher
Seize the opportunity for a fulfilling career change! The first step is to clarify your individual requirements and opportunities. Don't be put off by the formal requirements - advice centers and information services will support you on your path to becoming a teacher.
Familiarize yourself with the available support services and prepare yourself specifically for your entry into the teaching profession. Your experience and commitment will be a valuable asset. Start your new professional future now!