The IPA's Bachelor's Programmes: Comprehensive Preparation for Teaching
The Institute of Applied Pedagogy offers six Bachelor's programmes, organised around the key subjects of Burundi's Basic and Post-Basic Schools. Each programme lasts three years and combines two fundamental convictions: (1) in-depth subject expertise is essential — a teacher must master the content — and (2) mastering the content is not enough — a teacher must also know how to teach it effectively and thoughtfully.
The six Bachelor's programmes cover the priority areas for Burundian education. Three programmes focus on languages: English and French (languages of international communication), and Kirundi-Kiswahili (preserving and promoting African languages). Three programmes focus on the sciences: mathematics (the foundation of the quantitative sciences), biology-chemistry (natural sciences and experimentation) and physics-technology (applied sciences and preparation for the technological challenges of the 21st century).
Each programme is not a simple accumulation of courses. It is an intentional three-year progression — from subject foundations, to deeper content, to teaching mastery, to supervised practice in a real context. Graduates leave the IPA not only as specialists in their subject, but as reflective educators able to transform teaching in their schools.
Explore the Six Programmes
Each programme lasts three years (six semesters) and combines 2,700 hours of teaching divided into lectures, tutorials, practical work and projects. On completion, you receive the official Bachelor's Degree recognised by the University of Burundi.
Bachelor's in English
A 3-year programme combining English linguistics, English-language literature (British, American, African) and communicative pedagogy. Prepare to teach English as a language of regional and global communication in Africa.
Bachelor's in French
A 3-year programme combining French linguistics, French and Francophone literature, and pedagogy adapted to the Burundian context. Prepare to teach French as a language of culture and communication in Africa.
Bachelor's in Kirundi-Kiswahili
A unique 3-year programme combining the linguistics and didactics of Kirundi (the mother tongue of Burundi) and Kiswahili (the regional language of East Africa). Prepare to preserve, promote and teach Bantu languages.
Bachelor's in Mathematics
A 3-year programme combining pure and applied mathematics (algebra, geometry, analysis), pedagogy and didactics. Prepare to teach mathematics as a discipline of reasoning, problem solving and modelling.
Bachelor's in Biology-Chemistry
A 3-year programme combining biology (cellular, genetics, ecology), chemistry (general, organic, analytical), experimentation and pedagogy. Prepare to teach and design experiments that develop scientific curiosity.
Bachelor's in Physics-Technology
A 3-year programme combining physics (mechanics, electricity, thermodynamics), digital technologies, renewable energy and pedagogy. Prepare to teach physics and technology as tools for transformation and innovation.
Common Structure: Three Years, Six Semesters, an Intentional Progression
All six Bachelor's programmes follow a common structure that guarantees balanced and progressive training.
Duration and Academic Workload
Each programme lasts three years, organised into six semesters, two per year. Each semester represents 30 ECTS credits, i.e. 60 credits per year, for a total of 180 credits and 2,700 hours of teaching (450 hours per semester). Hours are divided between lectures (theory), tutorials (applications), practical work (laboratory, simulated classroom, field), independent study (individual study and projects) and group work (collaborative learning).
A Structured Teaching Progression
Semesters 1-2 (Year 1): Subject foundations. Students master the core content of their subject (English, French, mathematics, etc.) and understand how learners develop cognitively.
Semesters 3-4 (Year 2): Deeper subject knowledge and an introduction to pedagogy. Students explore advanced content and discover general teaching principles — learning objectives, teaching strategies, assessment.
Semesters 5-6 (Year 3): Special didactics and supervised practice. In semester 5, students apply teaching principles to their specific subject. In semester 6, they complete 75 hours of teaching placements in a partner school, supervised by IPA staff.
Final Outcome
After three years, students receive the official Bachelor's Degree in their subject (English, French, Kirundi-Kiswahili, Mathematics, Biology-Chemistry or Physics-Technology), awarded by the University of Burundi.
Career Prospects and Further Study
Career Prospects
The main career paths for Bachelor's graduates include: public and private secondary teaching, in-service teacher training and mentoring, research and educational innovation, and educational leadership (inspectors, coordinators, head teachers) for experienced graduates.
Progression to Master's Programmes
Bachelor's graduates who wish to continue their studies can progress directly to the eight Master's programmes offered by the IPA: in Languages, the Master's in TESOL (didactics of English as a foreign language), French, Kirundi and Swahili; in Sciences, the Master's in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. These Master's programmes deepen research, educational innovation and academic leadership.
Impact
Bachelor's graduates teach in schools in Burundi. Their IPA training enables them not only to teach effectively, but also to help improve teaching practice in their schools.