Professional Skills Development in Dual-Subject Bachelor
The professional skills development area
Dual-Subject Bachelor's students at Osnabrück University must acquire a total of 28 credit points (CP) in the so-called professional skills development area; this particularly involves the acquisition of subject-specific and interdisciplinary key competencies. Students who are aiming for a Master of Education after their Bachelor's degree study these 28 CP in the core curriculum for teacher education (KCL). For more information, please contact the Center for Teacher Education. Students who are not aiming for a Teacher Education degree study the 28 CP according to the so-called "4-steps +" model (i.e. four steps plus; explanations can be found further down on this page).
This is due to the polyvalence of the Dual-Subject Bachelor's degree program, i.e. it is possible to choose one of three profiles during the course of the Dual-Subject Bachelor's degree program, which allow for different options to follow on from the Bachelor's degree program. Profile 1 is aimed at Teacher Education, Profile 2 at a subject-related Master's degree and Profile 3 at a professional career.
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Course offerings for the 2025/26 winter semester
Dear students,
at the bottom of this page, you will find the current course offerings from the Professional Skills Development Office (KoPro) for the 2025/26 winter semester. Dual-subject Bachelor students can acquire interdisciplinary key skills in the seminars and workshops. Further options for acquiring credit points in the professional skills development area can be found in the overview in Stud.IP under Search >> Course catalog >> Events / For students on the Dual-Subject Bachelor's degree programme / Professional skills development area / Key skills / Interdisciplinary key skills / Interdisciplinary workshops and events
Important note: Please make sure you also register for the waiting lists! It is possible to move up.
The "4-steps +" model
The "4 Steps +" model is to be completed by Dual-Subject Bachelor students who are not aiming for Teacher Education. There are two profiles within this model: Profile 2 and Profile 3. There is also Profile 1, but this is only aimed at students who wish to complete a Master of Education following their Bachelor's degree. Here and in the download area on this page you will find an overview poster of the "4-Steps +" model (PDF, 82 kB).
Who should study which profile?
Profile 2 is recommended for students who wish to complete a Master's degree in a subject after their Bachelor's degree. Profile 3 is recommended for students who would like to start a career after completing their Bachelor's degree.
The four steps
In both profiles (profile 2 and 3), students must acquire 10 CP in the so-called 4 steps. The 4 steps are offered by the individual subjects and comprise the following course:
Step 1: Orientation course, 2 CP (preferably in the 1st semester)
- Content focus: active orientation, independent learning, cooperation, structured planning and action
Step 2: Methodological basics, 2 CP (preferably in the 1st or 2nd semester)
- Focus of content: Teaching interdisciplinary methods such as the structure and design of presentations, academic writing
Step 3: Applications in specialist courses, 2x1 CP (preferably in the 3rd and 4th semester)
- Application of the methods learned in at least 2 specialist courses, lecturers advise students and provide feedback
Step 4: Project work or tutor activity, 4 CP (preferably in the 5th or 6th semester)
- Students either work on a subject-specific task with a professional or academic orientation or they work as a tutor in the orientation and methods area.
It is up to each student to decide in which subject the individual steps of the model are carried out. If you have any questions about the content of the four steps, the representatives for the professional skills development area in the respective subject will be happy to help (contact details at the bottom of this page).
The Plus (+)
In the so-called Plus, you acquire interdisciplinary and/or additional subject-related key competencies. You can choose from a variety of offerings: workshops at the Professional Skills Development Office (the latter can be found further down of this website), language courses at the Language Center and/or open courses in the subjects for students from other disciplines. Obtaining a tutor certificate or participating in the Balu und Du program can also be credited as a plus. All offers are listed in Stud.IP by semester (Search I Course catalog I For students in the two-subject Bachelor's program I Professionalization area I Key competencies (4 steps +) I Interdisciplinary key competencies). Detailed instructions on how to find courses on Stud.IP can be found on page 9 of our information brochure. In Profile 2, you must earn 4 LP in the Plus; in Profile 3, you study 18 LP in the Plus. Note: Steps that are completed twice, i.e. in both subjects, can be credited in Plus. If you have any questions about the Plus, please contact the Professional Skills Development Office (KoPro).
The subject-specific specialization
Only in Profile 2 (not in Profile 3) must students who wish to continue on to a Master's degree course in a specialist subject after completing their Bachelor's degree complete 14 CP in the specialist subject specialization. In the case of a core subject-core subject combination, the specialization can be divided between the two subjects as desired. In the case of a combination of a major and minor subject, the 14 ECTS credits in specialization are studied in the major subject. If you have any questions about the content of the specialization, the representatives for the professional skills development area in the respective subject will be happy to help (contact details at the bottom of this page).
Course offerings for the 2025/26 winter semester
Here you will find the current workshop offerings from the Professional Skills Development Center (KoPro), for which you can register starting September 8, 2025. Registration takes place via Stud.IP. There you will also find detailed descriptions of the events, as well as registration and cancellation conditions. Please note that registration is binding. Especially for courses with small group sizes, your commitment is crucially important to us in order to ensure optimal course utilization.
You can register for our courses on Stud.IP starting on September 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Questions? kopro@uos.de
Successfully completing your studies – Stay motivated and competent throughout your thesis
October 24, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and October 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Self-management and time management for students
October 24, 2025, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (in person) and November 14, 2025, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (online)
October 27, November 3, November 10, and November 17, 2025, 2:30–5:30 p.m. each day
November 7, 2025, 10:00
Introduction to Intercultural Competence – Fundamentals for Study, Work, and Everyday Life
Friday, November 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Coach yourself: Self-coaching strategies for your studies and private life
Monday, November 10, 2025, Monday, November 17, 2025, Monday, November 24, 2025, and Monday, December 1, 2025, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day
Online workshop: Strong mindset – strong studies
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, and Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day
Stress management – Relaxed and calm throughout your studies with less stress
Friday, November 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 22, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 5, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Conflict perception – dealing with conflicts
Friday, November 28, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 29, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 12, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 13, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Online workshop: Learning and memory training
Friday, January 9, 2026, and Saturday, January 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day
Online workshop: Successfully completing your studies
Friday, January 9, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Personal development: Self-confidence through self-awareness during your studies
Friday, January 16, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Job application training – Success from job search to acceptance
Friday, January 23, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions about the workshops/organizational matters, etc., please always contact us by email at kopro@uos.de.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the professional skills development area or the "4-Steps +" model, please contact the KoPro team.
Overview of the representatives for the professional skills development area
| Specialist | Representative | contact |
| Geography/Earth Sciences | Sven Deeken | sven.deeken@uos.de |
| history | Tanja Kalmlage | studienbuero.geschichte@uos.de |
| Art/Art Education | Jens Pösse | jens.poesse@uos.de |
| Art History | Prof.in Dr.in Helen Koriath | helen.koriath@uos.de |
| Political Science | Jens Pösse | jens.poesse@uos.de |
| Sociology | Jens Pösse | jens.poesse@uos.de |
| Specialist | Representative | Contact |
| Education Science | Dr. Christoph Sturm | danny.sturm@gmx.de |
| Protestant Theology | Prof. Dr. Anselm Hagedorn (commiss.) | anselm.hagedorn@uni-osnabrueck.de |
| Catholic Theology | Apl. Prof. Dr. Thomas Nauerth | nauerth@friedenstheologie.de |
| Islamic Theology | Yilmaz Gümüs | yilmaz.guemues@uos.de |
| Music/Musicology | Prof. Dr. Michael Oehler | michael.oehler@uos.de |
| Sport/Sports Science | Carsten Keller | cakeller@uni-osnabrueck.de |
| Specialist | Representative | contact |
| Biology | Dr. Oliver Ambrée | oliver.ambree@uos.de |
Chemistry |
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| Specialist | Representative | contact |
| Physics | Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Harneit | wolfgang.harneit@uos.de |
| Mathematics | Prof. Dr. Stefan Kunis | stefan.kunis@uos.de |
| Computer Science |
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| Geoinformatics |
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| Environmental Systems Science | Dr. Jörg Klasmeier | jklasmei@uos.de |
| Specialist | Representative | contact |
| all subjects | Dr. Annette Clamor, by proxy: Dr. Ina Lehmkuhle | profbereich7@uni-osnabrueck.de |
| Specialist | Representative | contact |
| philosophy | Charles Lowe | lowech@uos.de |
| Specialist | Representative | contact |
| Business Administration | Elena Romanenchuk | elena.romanenchuk@uos.de |
| Economics | Elena Romanenchuk | elena.romanenchuk@uos.de |
Frequently asked questions about the professional skills development area
To achieve the first qualified degree (Bachelor), students must acquire 180 credit points (CP), 28 of which must be in the professional skills development area. This involves the acquisition of subject-related and interdisciplinary key competencies. Information on the professional skills development area in the dual-subject Bachelor's degree course can be found in our information brochure (PDF, 1.62 MB), for example.
Students who, after completing their Bachelor's degree, either wish to pursue a Master's degree in a subject or enter the profession, must acquire 28 CP in the professional skills development area or in the area of key competencies.
The 4 Steps + model specifies the areas in which at least 10 CP of these credit points must be earned and where further CP can be earned. You can find more information at the top of this page.
- Under "Browse the course catalog" on Stud.IP, click on "For students on the Dual-Subject Bachelor's degree program" under "Study area".
- Then click on the sub-item "Professional skills development area/key competencies".
- A window will open that also contains information on the professional skills development area. To access the courses for the interdisciplinary key competencies, please click on "Interdisciplinary key competencies".
- The courses are divided into the categories "Courses offered by the subjects for students from other subjects", "Language acquisition courses" and "Interdisciplinary workshops and courses".
You can also find further pictorial instructions in our information brochure (PDF, 1.62 MB).
Since the winter semester 2012/2013, there has been a uniform certificate that you can use for all interdisciplinary key competencies. It is already possible to register for many courses via HISinOne. In these cases, it is no longer necessary to fill out certificates.
Instructions for use:
- The template can be used to certify key competencies (subject-specific, steps 1-4, interdisciplinary).
- The template should be signed by the lecturer after the course and sealed by the Examination Office.
- Steps 1-4 and additional subject-related key competencies are recorded in HISinOne by the relevant Examination Office.
- Interdisciplinary key competencies are recorded in HISinOne by KoPro/PATMOS.
In principle, no grade is required for the successful completion of the professional skills development area. However, the decisive factor is whether a graded examination is prescribed for a specific course or module in one or both of the examination regulations for your subjects. If so, a graded performance must be completed and is included in the overall grade for the professional skills development area with the amount of your credit points.
If you have made a grade in the professional skills development area, then this grade is also included in the Bachelor's grade with the weight of the graded credit points. If, for example, 10 LP out of 28 LP are graded with a 1.7, then the 1.7 is included in the calculation of the overall Bachelor's grade with a weighting of 10/180.
The courses from the KCL can be credited up to a maximum of 14 CP for the area of interdisciplinary key competencies.
According to §2 (5) and §3 (4) "Interdisciplinary part of the degree-specific examination regulations for the 2-subject Bachelor's degree program", courses from Profile 1 KCL can be credited with up to 14 CP in Profile 2 or Profile 3. The crediting applies to the "4 steps +" model (not for the subject-specific specialization) and is carried out by the Professional Skills Development Office.
14 CP must be acquired in the subject specialization.
The distribution of credit points between the subjects depends on the subject combination. In the case of a major/minor subject combination, 14 CP must be studied in the major subject.
In the examination regulations (from 2010), the 14 CP can be divided as desired between the two subjects in the case of a core subject-core subject combination.
When selecting courses and modules, the admission requirements of the intended Master's degree programs must be taken into account; coordination with the subject advisors is strongly recommended.
Note in advance: If you have any questions regarding registration and access to language courses, please contact the Language Center of Osnabrück University.
The Language Center no longer conducts mandatory placement tests for foreign language courses, but relies on students' self-assessment based on the CEFR descriptors provided during registration. However, it is still possible to take a placement test via Stud.IP at least once per semester or on request.
The following applies to the crediting of language courses in the professional skills development area:
In principle, the Professional Skills Development Office will give credit for all language courses passed at the Osnabrück University Language Centre. However, this does not apply if the respective language is your mother tongue or first language or one of your core subjects or your major or minor subject, i.e. if you are studying a language, language courses in this language cannot be credited in the area of interdisciplinary key competencies.
The booking is made centrally at the end of the semester. Please do not contact us regarding credit transfer until you see the language course displayed in your transcript of records. Language courses often appear under additional credits; the Professional Skills Development Office can then include them in the interdisciplinary key competencies.
| Concerns/all questions on the topic | Contact person |
|---|---|
| Registration for the Bachelor's thesis | Examination office of the subject in which the Bachelor's thesis is to be written |
| Have BAföG form 5 filled out | Multi-subject examination office (PATMOS) |
| Balu & Du | Professional Skills Development Office |
| Application, enrollment, de-registration | Admissions Office |
| Preparation of final documents | Multi-subject examination office (PATMOS) |
| Subject internships | Internship representative of the subject in which the internship was/is to be completed, subject examination office |
| Subjects: Core subject/main subject/minor subject incl. HISinONE registration/rebooking of credits/credits etc. | respective subject examination office, academic advisor of the respective subject |
| Professional skills development area: Subject specialization and steps 1-4 | Examination office of the subject in which the course in question was/is to be completed |
| Professional skills development area: "+"/interdisciplinary key competencies and overall guidance | Professional Skills Development Office |
| Tutor certificate | Professional Skills Development Office |
| Provisional grade sheet, provisional overall grade, certified overview of achievements | Multi-subject examination office (PATMOS) |