MA Research on Learning and Instruction

This English-language master’s programme prepares educators, teachers and researchers to recognise, assess and address educational challenges across K–12 settings, higher education and other learning environments. You will develop a deep, research-based understanding of how learning and instruction work and gain the skills needed to design, evaluate and ethically implement evidence-informed solutions in educational practice. The programme is geared toward producing graduates who can both interpret existing research and generate new empirical knowledge under expert supervision.

The curriculum is divided into two phases. The first phase emphasizes theoretical discussion across multiple disciplines (educational psychology, educational science, subject-matter didactics, media didactics) alongside an intensive research methods sequence. In the second phase, you specialise in two of five subject areas and conduct empirical research projects with close mentoring from instructors. The five specialisation areas are:

• Cognitive and instructional processes of learning and instruction
• Motivational and emotional processes of learning and instruction
• Teaching and learning with media
• Teacher professionalism and heterogeneity
• Technology-supported assessment and facilitation of learning and instruction

Key features that benefit international students include a strong focus on empirical research—students both critique and produce data—an interdisciplinary approach that integrates psychological, educational and subject-didactic perspectives, and encouragement to engage with the international research community (conference participation and research stays abroad are supported). Small instructor-to-student ratios mean intensive supervision and plentiful opportunities for discussion, while innovative course formats (debates, project seminars, academic retreats and conferences) provide authentic, high-level learning experiences.

Programme expectations (concise)

• Complete the theory-rich core and an intensive research methods curriculum
• Choose and specialise in two of the five offered subject areas
• Design and carry out empirical research projects under close instructor supervision
• Engage with interdisciplinary perspectives and integrate prior academic experience
• Participate in authentic learning formats (seminars, debates, retreats, conferences) and pursue international research collaboration when possible

Structure and core components:

• Semester structure: 4 semesters, full-time; courses are taught in English and the Master’s thesis may be written in English or German.
• Phase 1 (foundations): A theory-driven block covering multiple disciplinary perspectives on learning and instruction (educational psychology, educational science, subject-matter didactics, media didactics) together with an intensive research methods curriculum.
• Phase 2 (specialisation and research): Students choose two of five specialisation areas and undertake empirical research projects under close supervision. The five areas are:
  • Cognitive and instructional processes of learning and instruction
  • Motivational and emotional processes of learning and instruction
  • Teaching and learning with media
  • Teacher professionalism and heterogeneity
  • Technology-supported assessment and facilitation of learning and instruction
• Practical requirement: a compulsory 120-hour research internship at a research institution.
• Teaching and assessment formats: project seminars, empirical studies, debates, academic retreats and conference participation; strong emphasis on producing empirical evidence.

Learning outcomes:

• Gain advanced, research-based understanding of theories and empirical findings on learning and instruction.
• Develop applied methodological competence in designing studies, collecting and analysing educational data, and conducting diagnostics.
• Plan and carry out supervised empirical research projects and communicate results to academic and practitioner audiences.
• Apply research insights to inform and improve educational practice, assessment and instruction across diverse learning contexts.

Graduates are prepared for research-oriented roles in K–12 education, higher education, and educational research institutions, where they can contribute to evidence-based instructional design, assessment and policy. The programme’s strong methodological training also suits positions in curriculum development, educational technology, diagnostics, and evaluation.

The Master’s degree is also an appropriate stepping-stone to doctoral study and academic research careers for those who wish to pursue a PhD in education, educational psychology or related fields.