Initial training 

In general, the initial training of teachers takes place at teacher training colleges and universities:

• Nursery (“pre-primary education”), primary and lower secondary school teachers are trained at high schools of education (ISCED-5B).
• Teachers in upper secondary education and high school teachers are generally trained at universities and at high schools of long duration (ISCED-5A).
• Teachers of art classes are trained at high schools of education or at high schools/academies of art.

• Teachers working in special educational needs schools must have a general education qualification and then undergo additional training of 10 ECTS points in the field of special educational needs, orthopedagogy or therapeutic pedagogy.

  In the German-speaking Community, only the training of kindergarten and primary school teachers is organised. This is a non-university higher education (Bachelor, ISCED-5B). From the beginning of school year 2025-2026 on, the training takes 4 academic years (240 ECTS points).

  Kindergärtner

  The bachelor's degree course "Lehramt Kindergarten" (LK) (“pre-primary teacher”) prepares prospective kindergarten teachers for the varied and demanding tasks of teaching at kindergarten level. During the studies, students are trained in eight subjects: German, mathematics, French, natural sciences, history, geography, art, music and sports.

  The main goal is the development of didactic skills in order to create stimulating and varied activities for the kindergarten level. The students learn how to initiate, accompany and evaluate the learning processes of children according to their stage of development.

  Besides the scientific and didactic courses, the programme includes general didactic courses and lessons in the field of educational and social sciences, for example psychology, sociology or deontology. Competencies in the field of teaching research are also taught, which are applied in the diploma thesis.

  Practical training, which consists of laboratories and internships, plays a central role in the development of professional skills and thus in the bachelor’s degree course.  

  Primarschullehrer

  In the bachelor’s degree course “Lehramt Primar” (LP), students are also trained in eight subjects: German, mathematics, science, history, geography, art, music and physical education. In addition, from the second year of study on, students can complete an additional qualification (in French, religion or remedial education.

  Students acquire the basics for teaching in these subjects. The main goal is the development of didactic skills in order to stimulate, accompany and evaluate the learning processes of the children in class.

  Besides the scientific and didactic courses, the programme includes general didactic courses and courses in the field of educational and social sciences, for example psychology, sociology or deontology. Competencies in the field of teaching research are also taught, which are applied in the diploma thesis.

  Practical training, which consists of laboratories and internships, plays a central role in the development of professional skills and thus in the bachelor’s degree course. 

  Further Training

  The Autonomous University of Applied Sciences is responsible for the organisation and implementation of further education and training. The annually designed continuing education programme is aimedaims at the teaching and educational staff of primary and secondary schools, of institutes of continuing educationacademies for adult education, of part-time teaching, of middle-class education and training, employees working in education and middle-class training, and Kaleido staffstaff of “Kaleido Ostbelgien”. Kaleido Ostbelgien is the centre for the healthy development of children and youth in the German-speaking Community.

  The pedagogical further education commission, which is made up of representatives of the Centre for Special Needs Education, the SME training and further education, external evaluation, school inspection and school development consultancy, the higher education institution of the German-speaking Community the Autonomous University in the German-speaking Community and school representatives of the various school networks, determines the continuingfurther education priorities in dialogue with the players stakeholders in the teaching system.

  The annual yearly continuing education and advisory services for staff employed in of the teaching sector include 

• the supervision of young teachers during the initial phase of their careers
• the internal teacher training
• cross-school and cross- school network continuing education events that promote classroom management and personal competences as well as educational, social, pedagogical, didactic and technical competences
• Continuing training of the school development counselling services in primary and secondary education

Additional qualifications

The higher education institution of the German-speaking Community (AHS) also supports obtaining additional qualifications that allow you to go one step further. Additional qualifications can be obtained in the fields of:

• French foreign language didactics
• Special Education Needs
• Philosophical subjects (ethics/ catholic religion)
• Teacher for foreign language activities in pre-primary schools

Admission requirements

See above. 

Curriculum, level of specialisation and learning outcomes

See above. 

Teacher educators

See above. 

Qualifications, evaluation and certificates

See above. 

Alternative training pathways

In the German-speaking Community, several alternative training paths are offered:

CAP

In secondary education, the pedagogical certificate of competence “CAP” is considered a teaching qualification for subsequent offices:

• Teacher for technical secondary education courses
• Teacher for vocational secondary education courses
• Teacher for technical and vocational education courses
• Teacher for specialized courses (except sports)
• School’s librarian

The training to acquire CAP is offered by the higher education institution of the German-speaking Community (AHS) and comprises 15 ECTS points. The courses are organised on a part-time basis and mainly take place in the evening.

To enrol in the CAP, the applicant must have one of the following qualifications: 

• a master craftsman diploma,
• a graduate diploma from a Belgian university,
• a bachelor's degree from a Belgian higher education institution,
• a certificate of general qualification for university entrance and already have 3 years of professional experience in teaching with a favourable report from the inspectorate and school management.

CAP+

In secondary education, the CAP+ teaching qualification is considered a teaching qualification for subsequent offices:

• Teacher for general education courses
• Teacher of ethics
• Teacher for specialized courses (sports)

The training to acquire CAP is offered by the higher education institution of the German-speaking Community (AHS) and comprises 30 ECTS points. The courses are organised on a part-time basis and mainly take place in the evening.

To enrol in the CAP+, the applicant must hold one of the following certificates: 

• a bachelor's degree from a Belgian higher education institution,
• a graduate degree from a Belgian higher education institution,
• a licence from a Belgian college/university,
• a master’s degree from a Belgian college/university.

Brückenstudium

In this one-year training, qualified pre-primary school teachers can obtain a qualification as a primary school teacher. The programme is offered by the higher education institution of the German-speaking Community (AHS) and comprises 60 ECTS credits. 

It is a full-time programme with classroom teaching, internships and self-study lessons. Successful completion of the programme leads to a bachelor's degree as a primary school teacher and is based on the objectives, skills and job profile of the bachelor's degree programme ‘Primary School Teacher’, which is also offered by the higher education institution of the German-speaking Community (AHS).

Brückenstudium Plus 

In this training, people with a bachelor's and/or master's degree (in any subject area) can obtain a qualification as a primary school teacher. The programme is offered by the higher education institution of the German-speaking Community (AHS) and comprises 90 ECTS credits. 

It is a full-time programme with classroom teaching, internships and self-study lessons. Successful completion of the programme leads to a bachelor's degree as a primary school teacher and is based on the objectives, skills and job profile of the Bachelor's degree programme ‘Primary School Teacher’, which is also offered by the higher education institution of the German-speaking Community (AHS).