General professional skills courses (Allgemeine Berufsvorbereitung, ABV)

Good planning is half the battle.
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The General Professional Skills program is a central component of completing a bachelor’s degree at Freie Universität Berlin and serves to provide students with practical skills that will help them over the course of their careers. The goal is to prepare you for the ever more complex demands of the academic job market, regardless of your specific field or discipline.

During your studies at Freie Universität, you will gain special knowledge in your field of study while also acquiring professional skills and unique experiences through other educational opportunities organized centrally, through General Professional Skills modules offered through your department, and through your professional internship.

The information on this website will give you some impressions of the wide variety of opportunities you can find in the General Professional Skills program and how to incorporate them into your curriculum. You can find more detailed information in the degree program and examination regulations for your core subject. There is also additional information available regarding central and departmental aspects of the General Professional Skills programs in the respective degree program and examination regulations.

Students enrolled in teacher-training bachelor’s programs complete similar coursework within the Teacher-Related Professional Studies curriculum. Generally speaking, coursework in the General Professional Skills program is not transferable to the Teacher-Related Professional Studies curriculum. The Dahlem School of Education can provide you with more information and advising.

Degree Program Structure

Freie Universität Berlin’s bachelor’s degree programs consist of 150 credits to be completed in your core subject based on the modules offered in that area. In addition, students must complete 30 credits within the General Professional Skills program, which includes a professional internship and a variety of courses from eight different skills areas.

The number of modules that students need to complete and which skills areas they need to cover in addition to the internship is outlined in the degree program and examination regulations for their core subject.

Legal basis

Skills Areas and General Professional Skills Courses

Supplementary Skills (Subject-Related)

Many departments offer modules related to their specific subject area that also cover General Professional Skills. How do you want to supplement your studies in your academic field?

Further information

Research Practices

As a member of the academic community, research skills are indispensable. These modules look at how scientific knowledge is created and emphasize the importance of critical thinking.

Further information

Sustainable Development

Learn about the current challenges facing global sustainable development and better understand how you can contribute to social and ecological change.

Further information

Quality media production requires knowing the craft.

Media Practices

Producing content for television and online media outlets requires both theoretical and practical knowledge. Get first-hand experience as a part of the student media team!

Further information

Communication Skills

How do you create a positive work environment? What communication skills do you need when working on a group project? How can you better organize yourself?

Further information

Organization and Management

Knowing a thing or two about economics and business always comes in handy. Learn more about everything from marketing to entrepreneurship and beyond.

Further information

Gender and Diversity Competencies

In today’s world, everyone should know how to address gender and diversity competently. Given how quickly these issues evolve, it’s best to keep up-to-date.

Further information

Using digital tools well requires proper training.

Information Technology and Media

Whether you want to learn how to program, edit images, produce videos, or analyze sources, these modules provide you with the skills you need for today’s digital workplace.

Further information

Foreign Languages

Foreign language skills are essential to anyone looking for positions on the international job market – in Europe or further afield. The Language Center has a wide selection of language courses to choose from.

Further information

Image Credits

Professional Internship

Plenty of food for thought!
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All bachelor’s degree programs require that you complete an internship. You can choose between the following options:

Internship module worth 5, 10, or 15 credit points (depending on the length of the internship). You can do an internship abroad or in Germany.
International internship module worth 20, 25, or 30 credit points (depending on the length of the internship. Your internship abroad lasts longer (up to six months).

The internship modules are organized by the Career Service and consist of

An internship with an organization outside the university, either abroad or in Germany
An internship colloquium in preparation for the internship or as a follow-up.

In addition, the various departments offer their own internship modules. Visit your department’s website to find out if they include one in their curriculum.

If you have questions about getting credit for an internship you’ve completed in the past and whether it fulfills the subject-specific requirements, please contact the General Professional Skills coordinators and/or your department’s internship contact person. It may be possible to get internship credits for work you’ve done on student committees as within the framework of university government.

More details

Internship Modules through the Career Service

Advising and Information

Each department has several contact people who advise students on the General Professional Skills curriculum.
There is a contact person for each General Professional Skills area who can provide you with guidance and detailed information on the courses offered in their particular area. They are also responsible for assessing the equivalency of coursework for transfer credits in their skills area. Please visit the respective websites for more information.
You can find out more about General Professional Skills on your department’s website and in the degree program and examination regulations of your core subject.

Coordination and Quality Assurance

The Development of Academic Programs Team in Division V: Academic Affairs coordinates the General Professional Skills program. An advisory council for General Professional Skills meets to discuss questions concerning quality management, evaluation, and development.