The Faculty of Education of Sopron Benedek Elek University is a prestigious pre-school teacher training institution with a long history in Sopron, Hungary. This institution has played a key role in Hungarian pre-school education since 1899. The building, which belonged to the Congregation of the ‚Saviour‘ nuns, was the home of pre-school education and primary education from 1899/1900 until the academic year in which it housed the pre-school and primary education. The impressive main building, which serves as the current faculty campus, was built in 1927 by the Department of Education. Since September 1959, the institution has provided college courses for student kindergarten teachers. Since the1989/90 academic year, students have been trained on the basis of a new curriculum. In 1992, the school was named after the famous Hungarian publicist and writer Elek Benedek.
The faculty is not only the best known, but also the most respected institution with a long tradition in pre-school education in Hungary. The skills and knowledge of the graduates of the college areaccepted and highly recognized at the national level. The faculty’s professional childcare training is very popular and courses start with the highest number of first-year students in Hungary. Today, the Faculty is one of the four faculties of the University of Sopron, which, thanks to its advantageous geopolitical location, has always played the role of a bridge between the East and the West.
University philosophy: The interpretation and understanding of the first years of human life, early childhood and childhood have undergone paradigmatic changes in recent years. Recent national and internationalresearch highlights childhood as a key factor in the course of an individual’s life. Children’s development and education are crucial for national and economic development, as only happy, balanced and talented children can build prosperous and sustainable societies. Intelligent investment is the key to creating a happy life, so there is unlimitedchance and extreme responsibility.
Currently, the faculty with its 35 full-time teachers offers 900 undergraduate, masters and doctoral courses. It consists of three institutes and two special centres:
– Institute of Educational Sciences and Psychology
– Institute of Social Sciences and Communication
– Institute of Arts and Sports
– Centre for Adult Education
– Centre for Science of Science
Faculty offers courses in B.Sc. in the following training programs:
– Infant and Early Childhood Educator
– Kindergarten Educator (preschool teacher)
– Kindergarten Educator for Ethnic Minorities (German language)
– Social Pedagogy
– Educator and Therapist with Special Needs (Learning Disabilities and Difficulties)
– Communication and Media Science
Mgr. Courses:
– Educational Sciences
– Human Resource Counselling
– Economics Teacher
– Agricultural Engineering Teacher
– Engineering Teacher
The faculty’s PhD programme started in 2017 and is accepting students who wish to pursue a PhD in Forestry and Environmental Education.
– Forestry and Environmental Education
The four faculties of the University of Sopron offer programmes in 8 training fields and 58 courses. The forestry and timber industry education and research activity of the university is known throughout Europe and has a unique character nationwide. Its kindergarten and early childhood educator trainings and vocational teacher education is one of the most prominent in Hungary. Its economics, IT and arts education satisfy important regional labour market needs. University of Sopron offers competitive knowledge and a project- and experience-based learning environment to its students through the balanced development of the university by supporting scientific activity and innovativeness. The mediation and belief of the nearly three centuries old traditions and the main values – creativity, cooperation, value orientation, environmental awareness– are represented by the following still valid basic philosophy.
Here you can find more information about Sopron University.