Primary and Secondary School Education : Education in Germany is compulsory for all children ( six years to 15 years old) , although education generally lasts until the age of 18 years. The majority of schools in Germany are run by the state and are free, although parents can opt for one of the fee-paying private schools or international schools.
Higher Education system :
German Universities are known for its quality of higher education and institutes. In germany a student can study at universities, universities of applied sciences and colleges of art, film and music. Choosing a right type of university largely depends on your choice of study .
Universities are also divided into private and publicly funded institutions. There are 120 private universities – most of them universities of applied sciences – whose degrees are recognised by the state.
Programmes offered by the higher education institutes
Bachelor’s (B.A., B.Sc., Bachelor of Engineering, etc.)- 3 to 4 years of duration or 6 to 8 semester
Master’s (M.A., M.Sc., Master of Engineering, etc.)- 1 to 2 years of duration or 2 to 4 semester,
Doctorate The duration of your PhD programme depends on the topic of your research project, but usually takes between two and five years. For more information please see Research in Germany .
State examination
If you want to work in Germany as a doctor, lawyer, teacher or pharmacist, you will have to pass a state examination. You are allowed to take your First State Examination after completing a study programme in Law, Medicine, Pharmacy or a subject for teacher certification. After that, you begin a professional, practical training period to prepare for the Second State Examination and/or pursue a doctorate. The state examination is not an academic degree – it’s a state-recognised degree. That means that the examination regulations are not determined by the university, but rather the federal states.
Preparation and Foundation Programmes :-
If your secondary school-leaving certificate is not deemed sufficient to qualify you for university study in Germany, you will be required to pass a special examination called the “Feststellungsprüfung“. You can prepare for it by taking a foundation course (Studienkolleg) in Germany. Foundation courses last two semesters. Foundation courses are provided by institutes at the universities and offer courses in specific subject areas.
If you want to get your master’s degree, you don’t have to attend a foundation course. You can take a propaedeutic course instead. This ideal preparation enables you to equip yourself for the demands of German universities before the actual degree course begins. Then, when you begin your university studies, you get used to everyday life at a German university far more easily.
There are courses
- for foreign students who have already been admitted to a degree course in Germany,
- for foreign students who have not yet gained admission but already meet the formal requirements for studying at a university in Germany and
- for foreign students who have not yet met the formal requirements for a higher education entrance qualification