Initial training

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

• Kindergarten teachers, primary school teachers and teachers in the first three years of secondary education (lower secondary level) are trained at university colleges (ISCED 5B).
• Teachers who teach in the upper years of secondary education and lecturers at university colleges are generally trained at universities or long-type higher education institutions (ISCED 5A).
• Teachers of arts subjects are trained at university colleges or at schools or academies of arts.
• Teachers working in special education must have a general pedagogical qualification and must subsequently complete an additional training of 10 ECTS credits in the field of remedial, orthopedagogical or special education.

In the German-speaking Community, only the training of kindergarten and primary school teachers is organised. This is non-university higher education (Bachelor, ISCED 5B). From the academic year 2025–2026 onwards, the course will last four years and cover 240 ECTS credits.

Kindergarten Teachers

The Bachelor's degree programme "Early Childhood Education" (Lehramt Kindergarten – LK) prepares future kindergarten teachers for the diverse and demanding role of teaching at the preschool level. In this programme, students are trained in various subjects: German, mathematics, French, science (natural sciences, history, geography), art, music and physical education. Additionally, interdisciplinary courses focus on cross-curricular competences, media literacy, political-democratic education, and education for sustainable development.

At the heart of the programme is the development of didactic competences that enable future teachers to stimulate, support and assess children's learning processes. In addition to subject-specific, general and subject-didactic courses, the programme includes modules in educational and social sciences. Competences in educational research are also taught and are applied in the final thesis.

Practical training, consisting of laboratory sessions and internships, plays a central role in developing professional competence.

Primary School Teachers

In the degree programme "Primary Education" (Lehramt Primar – LP), students are also trained in various subjects: German, mathematics, French, science (natural sciences, history, geography), art, music, and physical education. Additionally, interdisciplinary courses focus on cross-curricular competences, media literacy, political-democratic education, and education for sustainable development.

At the core of the training is the development of didactic competences to stimulate, support, and assess the learning processes of pupils in the classroom. Besides subject-specific, general, and subject-didactic courses, the programme includes modules in educational and social sciences. Competences in educational research are also taught and applied in the final thesis.

Practical training, consisting of laboratory sessions and internships, plays a central role in building professional competences.

Alternative Training Pathways

Several alternative training pathways are offered in the German-speaking Community: 

CAP

The pedagogical qualification certificate CAP is recognized in secondary education as a teaching qualification for the following positions:

• Teacher for technical courses
• Teacher for vocational practice
• Teacher for technical courses and vocational practice
• Teacher for subject courses (except physical education)
• Teacher-librarian

The CAP training is offered by the Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community. It comprises 15 ECTS credits. The courses are organized alongside professional work and mainly take place in the evenings. 

To enroll in the CAP programme, applicants must hold one of the following qualifications:

• A master craftsman diploma,
• A graduate diploma from a Belgian higher education institution,
• A bachelor’s diploma from a Belgian higher education institution,
• A high school diploma (Abitur) plus at least 3 years of professional experience in education with a positive report from the inspection and school management.

CAP+

The teaching qualification CAP+ is recognized in secondary education as a teaching qualification for the following positions:

• Teacher for general education courses
• Teacher for non-denominational ethics
• Teacher for subject courses (physical education)

The CAP+ training is offered by the Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community. It comprises 30 ECTS credits. The courses are organized alongside professional work and mainly take place in the evenings.

To enroll in the CAP+ programme, applicants must hold one of the following qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s diploma from a Belgian higher education institution,
• A graduate diploma from a Belgian higher education institution,
• A license from a Belgian higher education institution/university,
• A master’s degree from a Belgian higher education institution/university.

Brückenstudium

Through the one-year bridging programme, certified kindergarten teachers can obtain a degree as primary school teachers. The programme is offered by the Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community and comprises 60 ECTS credits.

It is a full-time programme with face-to-face classes, internships, and self-study components. Successful completion leads to a full bachelor's degree as a primary school teacher and is aligned with the objectives, competencies, and professional profile of the bachelor’s degree programme “Lehramt Primar,” which is also offered by the Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community.

Brückenstudium Plus

In the Brückenstudium Plus, individuals holding a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree (in any field) can obtain a degree as primary school teachers. The programme is offered by the Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community and comprises 90 ECTS credits.
It is a full-time programme with face-to-face classes, internships, and self-study components. Successful completion leads to a full bachelor's degree as a primary school teacher and is aligned with the objectives, competencies, and professional profile of the bachelor’s degree programme “Lehramt Primar,” which is also offered by the Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community.

Continuing education and additional training

The Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community is responsible for organizing and implementing continuing education and additional training programmes.

Further training

The Autonome Hochschule is responsible for the organisation and implementation of professional development and further training. The annually devised training programme is aimed at teaching and educational staff in primary and secondary schools, academies for adult education, part-time education, intermediate-level vocational training, as well as staff of Kaleido.

The pedagogical further training commission, which consists of representatives from the Centre for Special Education, intermediate-level vocational training, external evaluation, school inspection and school development counselling, the Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community, as well as school representatives from the various networks, sets the priorities for further training in dialogue with stakeholders in the education system.

The annual programme of further training and advisory services for personnel employed in the education sector includes, among other things:

• Support for newly qualified teachers during their induction period
• In-house training
• Cross-school and cross-network training events to promote classroom management self-competence as well as educational, social, pedagogical, subject-didactic and subject-specific skills
• Further training for specialist advisors in primary and secondary education

Additional Training Programmes

The Autonome Hochschule in the German-speaking Community also offers additional training programmes that enable participants to take a further step in their professional development. These are offered in various fields:

• French as a Foreign Language Didactics
• Special Education
• Philosophical Subjects (Ethics/Catholic Religion)
• Specialist Teacher for Foreign Language Activities in Kindergarten
• Pedagogical Additional Training for School Principals without Teaching Qualification
• Music Education
• Teacher-Librarian

Institutions, levels and models of training

See above.

Admission requirements

See above.

Curriculum, level of specialisation and learning outcomes 

See above. 

Teacher Trainers

See above.

Qualifications, assessment and certificates

See above.

Alternative training routes

See above.