Universities of applied sciences (UAS) have been around for more than 50 years. Nevertheless, the professional career path of UAS professorships was little known for a long time – and completely unjustifiably so:
As a professor at a university of applied sciences (UAS), you hold a responsible and future-oriented position. You are a learning guide, advisor and coach for your students, shaping their educational careers and preparing them for the future (working) environment. In addition, you conduct research on applied-science oriented topics, maintain networks in business, politics and research – and add your own personal stamp to the whole process.
Find out more about the requirements, responsibilities, conditions and benefits of a UAS professorship here!
Perhaps in your chosen field, too?
The five faculties at the HSB provide an initial insight into the manifold spectrum of subjects on offer:
School of International Business
School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering
The biographical backgrounds of our professors vary greatly, but they all have one thing in common: they are anything but dull!
To become a professor at the HSB, you need three qualifications: a doctorate, teaching experience and several years of professional experience in business, industry or non-university research institutes. When or how long it took you to complete each of these stages is less relevant – a gap in your CV is not only accepted, but formally speaking hoped-for!
We are consistently on the lookout for highly qualified individuals who would like to enrich the teaching, learning and research at our university!
Perhaps a professorship is the ideal opportunity for you to bring together all your previous interests and experience?
There are three key requirements: professional experience, a doctorate and teaching experience.
In addition to scientific expertise, proof of professional experience in one’s own field is essential for a UAS professorship.
In the Federal State of Bremen, at least three years of professional experience, including two years outside the university realm, are required to qualify for a UAS professorship. Professional experience is only valid from the point at which a master’s degree, Magister, Diploma or comparable degree was obtained.
In certain individual cases, at least five years of professional experience in cooperation between a university and an institution outside the university realm may also be considered as non-university professional experience (Bremen Civil Service Act, section 116, article 3). Self-employed occupations are generally recognised as non-university professional experience if they are subject-relevant and were carried out as a primary occupation.
In order to be appointed a UAS professorship, you typically need a completed doctorate in your field. This may however depend on the respective discipline: this requirement may vary in certain fields.
At the time of your application, an uncompleted doctorate is acceptable, provided the doctoral degree will have been awarded with presentable certification by the time a possible appointment takes place. The particular proficiency necessary for scientific work is usually demonstrated by a doctoral degree, which in most cases must be graded at least with ‘cum laude’. In a small number of disciplines where a doctoral degree is not customary, this competence can be demonstrated by proof of an equivalent scientific achievement. Please refer to the respective position offer for this option.
A certified educational and didactical qualification, particularly in the form of teaching practice, is required for a professorship at a university of applied sciences.
Previous training in university teaching methods is desirable but does not replace the required practical teaching experience. One should certainly be prepared and willing to undertake further training in didactics at university level. The respective position offer will specify the detailed teaching requirements and define which further types of teaching experience may be taken into consideration here. This, however, depends heavily on the respective subject area and the exact nature of the professorship.
Further criteria required for individual professorships may be specified in the respective position-offers themselves.
Appointment procedures are criteria-based, consist of multiple stages and are, unfortunately, somewhat time-consuming. With respect to equal opportunities, the equal opportunities officer and, where applicable, the representative for disabled employees is involved comprehensively at an early stage in every procedure.
The basis for the appointment procedure is primarily the appointment regulations, the guidelines for the implementation of the HSB’s equality mandate, the Bremen Higher Education Act (Bremer Hochschulgesetz, BremHG) and the General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG).
Highly qualified young scientists and practitioners who are not yet eligible for a UAS professorship because they have not yet fulfilled all the required qualifications for such, can obtain or catch up on their doctorate, teaching qualification and/or professional experience as part of a so-called qualification programme at the university. Find out more about the qualification programme here.
We welcome your interest in a UAS professorship – regardless of whether you are ready to launch or would just like to find out more first.
Regardless of whether you already meet the necessary formal qualifications, are currently working towards them or have just become aware of the career option of a UAS professorship for the first time – we would be interested in getting to know you, and would be happy to advise you on a possible next step, and the opportunities offered by Bremen City University of Applied Sciences!
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the career option for a professorship at a university of applied sciences, we are available for a confidential conversation at any time.
Contact us at: beratung-professur@hs-bremen.de
The HSB is a member of the UAS7 university alliance – an association of seven universities of applied sciences that place particular emphasis on internationality and high-quality standards in research and teaching. The information provided by the UAS7 alliance can also support you on your path to becoming a professor at a university of applied sciences.
More information on UAS7
The PROfessur project is an initiative launched by the women’s and equal opportunities officers of 19 universities of applied sciences. Its aim is to advise and support women, inter-, non-binary and trans persons on their path to becoming professors, e.g., with coaching for appointment procedures.
More about the PROfessur project
The nationwide initiative ‘UAS professorship – career with impact’ helps to strengthen the public perception of this career path and offers potential candidates an information platform. Feel free to take a look around!
UAS professorship – career with impact
The hlb-Federal Association is the professional alliance for all professors at universities of applied sciences (UAS). Becoming a member is worthwhile, as you will benefit from advisory services, networking opportunities, legal protection, professional liability insurance and interesting events.
hlb-Federal Association