1. Key competencies at the University of Göttingen Dr
Key competencies at the University of Göttingen Dr. Claudia Faust (Department for Academic Programme Development and Quality Management)
18/09/2018

2. Contents What are key competencies? Why do we need key competencies?
Framework for key competencies at the University of Göttingen
a) Key competencies in single-subject Bachelor degree programmes
b) Key competencies in two-subjects Bachelor degree programmes
c) Key competencies in Master degree programmes
Forms of teaching key competencies
Areas of key competency at the University of Göttingen
The range of key competency courses offered by the University of Göttingen

3. 1. What are key competencies?
≠ subject-related competencies
= non-subject specific competencies
“Someone who understands nothing but chemistry does not understand chemistry either.”
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg ( )
“Key competencies are skills, attitudes and elements of knowledge which are useful in solving problems and in acquiring new competencies in as many areas as possible, so that an ability to act is developed, which makes it possible to meet individual as well as social requirements” (Orth 1999; Schaeper, Briedis 2004).

4. 2. Why do we need key competencies?
to make teaching and learning easier and more effective
to enhance employability
to develop an ability for personal continuing education in the interest of sustainability of education and skills
rapid knowledge obsolescence
shortening of innovation cycles
Key competencies are part of a new teaching and learning culture which enables us to respond to changes in the professional world:
dynamic adjustment of professional profiles
change of professions and jobs
interdisciplinary challenges
increasingly intercultural working environments in a globalised world
increasing tendency towards self-employment

5. Half-life period of knowledge
Primary school 20 years
University studies 10 years
Professions 5 years
Technical professions 3 years
Software 1 year
Telecommunication 10 months

6. Employers’ expectations of university graduates (DIHK Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce 2007)

7. Further important competencies (DIHK 2007)

8. 3. Framework for key competencies at the University of Göttingen
Key competencies teaching at the University of Göttingen has the following objectives:
To improve study skills
To improve employability
For this purpose, key competencies are embedded in degree programme regulations as follows:
with a recommended value of 18 credit points for the BA. Depending on the degree programme, up to 18 further credit points from key competency modules are accepted. Students are free to select at least 6 credit points from all key competency modules offered by the university.
with a value of 12 credit points for the MA.
with varying credit values for doctoral degree programmes, depending on the degree programme and graduate school.
1 Credit = working hours spent

9. 3a. Key competencies in single-subject Bachelor degree programmes
Bachelor (6 semesters) (180 C)
Subject-related Bachelor’s thesis (12 C)
Subject-related studies
(132 C)
Area of professionalisation (36 C, of which 18 C are contributed by key competencies)

10. 3b. Key competencies in two-subjects Bachelor degree programmes
Subject-related studies (132 C) (identical for all profiles)
Area of professionalisation (36 C)
BA thesis
(12 C)
Subject A
(66 C)
Subject B
Optional modules
(18 C)
Key competencies
(a)
Specialised profile
66 C Subject A
66 C Subject B
18 C
specialised modules from subject A or B
12 C
(b)
Practical profile
practical modules
(c)
Profile for teaching profession
18 C subject-related didactic, educational and
key competencies (18 C)
(d)
“Studium generale” profile
optional modules

11. 3c. Key competencies in Master degree programmes
Master (6 semesters) (120 C)
Master’s thesis (30 C)
Subject-related
studies
(78 C)
Area of professionalisation (key competencies) (12 C)

12. 4. Forms of teaching key competencies
Additive key competency courses: to supplement subject-related studies – either subject-related or interdisciplinary (examples: foreign languages, leadership competence, intercultural competence)
Integrative key competency courses: are intended to teach key competencies subject-related within individual subjects (examples: learning and working techniques, project management, methods of academic and scientific work)

13. 5. Areas of key competencies at the University of Göttingen
The University of Göttingen offers a wide range of key competency courses. These are divided into the following areas of competency:
Areas of competency
Competencies taught (examples)
Language skills
foreign languages
Factual knowledge
orientation in the professional field
courses in interdisciplinary subjects
Methodological competencies
rhetoric skills
EDP/information technology
presentation skills
project management
work organisation
methods of academic and scientific work
Personal competencies
time and self-management
learning strategies
personality development
Social competencies
intercultural competence
capacity for teamwork
moderation techniques / communication skills
leadership competence

14. modules offered by central institutions
6. The range of key competency courses offered by the University of Göttingen
Key competency strategy of
the University of Göttingen
(5 areasof competency)
Key
competency
modules within
subject
disciplines or
faculties
Cross-faculty
key competency
modules offered
by individual
degree
programmes
Key
competency
modules offered by central institutions
Quality management