RWTH Aachen University and the University of Wuppertal will jointly offer 80 places on the primary school teaching degree programme in Aachen. Even though final coordination between the two universities is still required, a decisive document has now been signed with the special university agreement between the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the universities.

"Our children get the tools for life at school. Well-trained and motivated teachers are the key to educational success. The creation of 80 additional study places is the best way to inspire more young people to take on this responsible task. I would like to thank the two universities, the StädteRegion Aachen and the city for their great commitment," said North Rhine-Westphalia's Science Minister Ina Brandes after signing the document.

"We are very grateful to all partners for their joint efforts to establish the primary school teaching programme at RWTH," said RWTH Rector Ulrich Rüdiger. Future students will be able to apply for the 80 Bachelor's places from May, with the Bachelor's course starting in autumn. The programme will be based in Aachen. The exact organisation is currently being discussed between the University of Wuppertal and RWTH.

The RWTH decided early on to partner with the university of Wuppertal. "The primary school teaching degree programme is new territory for us," says Professor Joost-Pieter Katoen, Vice-Rector for Teaching at RWTH, explaining the reasons for the cooperation. The RWTH is therefore very grateful to have an extremely experienced partner at its side in the University of Wuppertal. An impression shared by both sides: "Our faculties have met this unusual idea with openness and commitment, because the new cooperation offers many opportunities to jointly provide new impetus for the further development of primary school teacher training," confirms Professor Susanne Buch, Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching at the University of Wuppertal.

The primary school teaching degree programme consists of four sub-programmes. Wuppertal is responsible for educational science and basic language education, while RWTH is responsible for basic maths and subject teaching. The latter covers a broad spectrum; in addition to the classic STEM subjects, Faculty 5 (Earth Resources and Materials Engineering) and the Faculty of Humanities are also involved here - a welcome addition for the University of Wuppertal, as its rector, Prof Dr Birgitta Wolff, explains: "We have always broken new ground in order to offer students teacher training at a high level. With RWTH Aachen University, we have now gained a partner with particular excellence in technology subjects - a plus, especially for subject teaching. We are delighted that RWTH is joining forces with us in primary school teacher training, especially as more and more technical expertise is required."

"The desire to be able to offer a primary school degree programme in Aachen has long been on the city's agenda," says Joost-Pieter Katoen. His predecessor Aloys Krieg had already worked hard with all partners to find a solution. Katoen is therefore pleased that it has now been possible to create this offer thanks to the help from Wuppertal, but also thanks to the great support of the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Aachen and the StädteRegion. The city and StädteRegion will not only cover the costs of renting the necessary premises in Kackertstraße, they will also help to ensure that the primary school teachers of the future feel welcome and at home in Aachen. The Ministry of Culture and Science is also supporting this important project with an additional 300,000 euros per year as part of the Study Place Initiative II.

"I am delighted that primary school teachers will finally be able to train at RWTH from October 2025. This is very good news for young people who want to take this degree programme and for all of us who urgently need primary school teachers. As the StädteRegion Aachen, we will welcome the students with open arms and will certainly be able to convince them very quickly that our region is very attractive - and not just during their studies," said City Councillor Dr Tim Grüttemeier.

And Aachen's Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen adds: "When the dream team from the state, RWTH, StädteRegion and city work together, they can move mountains! We can be really proud of this joint success. It is the basis for ensuring that Aachen will remain an educational centre of the highest order in the future. First and foremost, I am delighted for the parents and children of the region, who will benefit from this success."

The aim of the joint efforts is clear: "If it's possible, then it's possible," says Joost-Pieter Katoen, who now also wants to make Aachen a highly attractive location for studying to become a primary school teacher.

Information for prospective students is available here.