New master's degree program in adult education starts in Würzburg!

New master's degree program in adult education starts in Würzburg!

The field of adult education in Germany is experiencing a significant new impetus with the introduction of the master's degree program “Adult Education and Management in Lifelong Education” at the Julius Maximilians University (JMU) in Würzburg. The launch of this unique English-language offer in the winter semester of 2025/26 is intended to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in adult education. The JMU is thus expanding its offering and is focusing on promoting lifelong learning.

An information event will take place on May 8, 2025 at 8 a.m. via Zoom, where interested parties will have the opportunity to find out more about the new course of study. The application deadline for the master's program is July 15, 2025. Within the program, students can also take courses outside of adult education and thus acquire broader knowledge in other areas of the JMU, for example in museums or international relations.

International perspectives and practical relevance

A particularly attractive feature of this degree program is the option of a double degree with the University of Padua in Italy, which requires at least one semester in Italy. In addition, the international orientation of the course is strengthened through internships, a summer school in Florence and semesters abroad in Europe and North America.

JMU also hosts an annual Adult Education Academy, which attracts around 100 participants from over 20 countries. Exchange and networking are encouraged here; training participants can network with practical institutions and present their master's theses. A network meeting is planned for July 2, 2025 in Würzburg to intensify contact with potential employers.

Background and framework conditions of adult education in Europe

This step follows the demands of the “Memorandum on Lifelong Learning” launched by the European Commission in 2000. It places the promotion of active citizenship and professional skills as key objectives of lifelong learning. According to this initiative, the transition to a knowledge-based society is seen as essential to promote employability in Europe.

The memorandum aims to create uniformity in adult education by not distinguishing between vocational and general education. These approaches were supported by the Bologna Process, which was launched in 1999 to establish a single European Higher Education Area. The initiative has also contributed to the definition of key competences that are crucial for future educational work, including STEM skills, language skills and entrepreneurial skills.

In summary, it can be said that the introduction of the new master's degree program at the JMU Würzburg not only enriches the educational offering, but is also in line with European developments in adult education. It is a response to the increasing demands of the labor market and the need for lifelong learning, which have become increasingly important over the last two decades.