Support for your choice of study
What is the best way to find out about degree programmes and how can I narrow down my search? Which fields of study are I interested in? What skills do I already have and for which degree programmes am I particularly suited with my strengths? And last but not least, the sometimes most difficult question: Which degree programme do I choose?
Deciding which degree programme to choose is often the first major decision in the lives of young people. A course of study is a stage of life full of new experiences and challenges. That is why it is important to take enough time for the study choice process, to inform yourself and, if necessary, make an appointment with our study counselling service.
1. orientate | 2. narrow down & inform | 3. decide | 4. implement | 5. check
Orientation - looking inside
What interests and skills do I have? Which degree programmes suit me? What is important to me regarding my studies?
- Discussions with teachers, friends and family
- Individual counselling at the Central Student Counselling Office
- Attending study and university information days
- Participation in workshops and events at the university
- Online interest and competence tests (OSAs, SIT, ...)
In your individual counselling provided by the Student Counselling Service, you have the opportunity to gain inner and outer orientation. The student counselling service provides information about the study programmes, helps you to identify your personal interests and competences and supports your study decision with suitable counselling methods.
Counselling is free of charge, confidential, and neutral. The aim of counselling is the joint development of individual solutions. We share the GIBeT's understanding of counselling.
OSAs are often developed by higher education institutions for very specific degree programmes and can be a very useful orientation aid in choosing a suitable degree programme, for example by matching interests, checking necessary prior knowledge or correcting expectations.
The Study Interest Test (SIT) of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and ZEIT ONLINE can be an important building block in your study orientation and a useful supplement to personal study counselling at the universities.
The test "Career Counselling for Teachers" (CCT) is an online-based self-exploration opportunity to assess personal aptitude and motivation for the teaching profession.
You are also welcome to take personal suitability counselling at the Centre for Teacher Education in Kaiserslautern or Landau.
Orientiation - looking outwards
What degree programmes and are there actually? How can I get a good overview of the wide range of courses on offer?
- Find out about the study programmes offered at the RPTU
- The "Hochschulkompass" offers a complete overview of all study programmes currently offered in Germany
- Visit exhibitions in your area and study information days at universities
- Inform yourself about fields of study at the student counselling service
Here you will find an overview of all degree programmes offered at RPTU in Kaiserslautern and Landau.
Open lectures and discussion rounds will give you an insight into our study programmes. Laboratory tours and hands-on activities allow you to immerse yourself in the everyday research and study life of our university. If you have any questions about studying, please contact the Student Service Centres Kaiserslautern or Landau.
programme
Your're not from the surrounding area? No problem! The RPTU also comes to study and career exhibitions near you. You can find locations and dates for 2023 here.
The Higher Education Compass provides an overview of all degree programmes at state and state-recognised German higher education institutions, as well as daily updated and detailed information on each higher education institution.
Narrow down
With almost 10,000 Bachelor's degree programmes on offer in Germany, it is not possible to obtain detailed information on every degree programme. Therefore, it helps to be able to exclude some fields of study that do not correspond to one's own interests and competences (and access possibilities). The best way to further narrow down the (too) large offer is to select and weight criteria, for example:
What interests me? What do I also like to do in my free time? What would I like to learn more about? Can I / would I like to turn my hobby into a profession? What do I like to talk about with friends and family?
What is (particularly) easy for me? What can I already do well? What do friends and family say I am particularly good at?
Is it important for me to stay close to home? Would I like to go further away and experience a (completely) different environment? What cultural and leisure activities are important to me? (How) can I finance my studies in a larger / different city further away?
Are there already concrete career aspirations for which only certain courses of study can be considered as qualifications? Do I want to work later in a professional field that offers a high level of job security and a regulated / certain income?
Sustainability - Justice - Security - Self-realisation etc.: What is important to me in general in my life? Which fields of study might clash with my values? Which occupational fields are (not) suitable for me because of my values?
Informieren
After narrowing it down, it's now down to the nitty-gritty: Which specific degree programmes are worth considering? Which universities offer them? Which of these universities correspond to my desired place of study? How is the programme structured? Which focus can I choose in which degree programme? What additional qualifications are possible? If possible for you, please consider to visit the campus and the city.
The websites of the respective universities provide comprehensive information about the courses offered, but also about student life, the campus, sports and leisure activities at the university. They are the best source of reliable and up-to-date information on specific degree programmes.
Another important source of information is the Higher Education Compass, whose content on degree programmes is also maintained by the universities themselves.
A visit to the city and campus at the desired place of study enables a personal impression and can help with the decision.
Entscheiden
The decision to study is often the first major decision in the lives of young people and can set the course for later (professional) life. The decision is made in can be separated into two steps:
- For which specific degree programmes do I want to (and can I formally) apply?
- If there are several admission offers: Which degree programme should I choose and enrol for?
It can help to prioritise the degree programmes when applying, so that the decision can be made more easily if there are several offers. The student counselling service will also support you in the decision-making process if necessary.
Implement
The decision has been made - now it's time to implement it. If your housing situation changes, you need to look around for flats, rooms in shared flats or dorms and register in time. Now it's also time to look for concrete financing, for example, BAföG, scholarships or part-time jobs. Universities often offer preparatory courses in advance, and internships are a prerequisite for some degree programmes.
Review
The decision has been made and the first semester has begun. Why should you now think about the decision again? Reflecting on your choice of study programme means comparing your expectations of the programme with reality. Almost 30% of Bachelor's students decide not to finish their chosen degree programme and are thus given the opportunity to find a suitable alternative - if you have doubts about your degree programme, the student counselling service will help you find the right path for you.
The student advisory service provides information about the range of courses on offer and helps you to make the right decision.