Structured Analysis of Software Testing Education in Higher Education in Germany

Software testing plays a critical role in the success of software development projects. As the complexity of software grows, the demand for qualified software testing specialists is rising. Despite this, a gap persists between the knowledge required in the industry and the competencies offered in academic curricula. To delve deeper into educational strategies, this study investigates the state of software testing education in German higher education by analyzing module manuals from 162 Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences manually, focusing on Information Systems, Computer Science, and Information and Media Technology-related study programs. We assess in 754 study programs the integration of teaching methods and competencies of 1.552 modules related to software testing. The research identifies variations in educational approaches and gaps between the instructional content and industry standards, e.g., the ISTQB Foundation Level. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning software testing education with industry standards and suggest incorporating practical, project-based learning to better prepare students for the professional demands of software testing. Therefore, based on teaching approaches from the module manuals, we provide recommendations to enhance the integration of software testing in curricula, focusing on the broader inclusion of ISTQB standards, practical exercises, and interdisciplinary teaching approaches. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on improving software testing education and highlights areas for future research in academic and practical contexts.