Fachrichtung

Fachrichtung (plural: Fachrichtungen) is a German term used to denote a field of study or a specialization within a broader subject area. The word combines Fach (field or subject) and Richtung (direction), signaling a directed focus within a discipline.

In higher education and teacher training, Fachrichtung refers to a specific subject area within a degree program or faculty. Students may choose or declare a Fachrichtung as their major or concentration, such as Biologie as a Fachrichtung within the life sciences or Geschichte within the humanities. The Fachrichtung can influence curriculum, examination requirements, and progression within a program.

In medicine and other professional fields, Fachrichtung is used to identify a specialty or subspecialty, for example die Fachrichtung Kardiologie within der Inneren Medizin. It denotes the clinical or professional focus rather than a broad department.

Distinctions: Fachrichtung is usually narrower than Fachgebiet (field or discipline) or Fachbereich (department or division). A single Fachbereich can contain multiple Fachrichtungen, and a university may organize its offerings with several Fachrichtungen under a larger Fachgebiet.

Usage varies by institution and region, reflecting differences in how subjects are organized academically. The term is common in both educational and professional contexts to describe a targeted area of study or practice. See also Fachgebiet, Fachbereich, Studienrichtung, Spezialgebiet.