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Home , Diplom, Magister degree, Master of Engineering, Master of Laws, Master of Science

GERMAN SYSTEM Master) was introduced to be offered parallel to or instead of integrated "long" programmes. The information on the national higher These programmes are designed to provide education system on the following pages enlarged variety and flexibility to students in provides a context for the qualification and the planning and pursuing educational objectives, type of higher education that awarded it. they also enhance international compatibility of studies. 1. Types of Institutions and Institutional Status The German Qualification Framework for Higher Education Degrees 2 describes the Higher education (HE) studies in are degrees of the German Higher Education offered at three types of Higher Education 1 System. It contains the classification of the Institutions (HEI) . qualification levels as well as the resulting qualifications and competencies of the - Universitäten () including various graduates. specialized institutions, offer the whole range of academic disciplines. In the German For details cf. Sec. 8.4.1, 8.4.2, and 8.4.3 tradition, universities focus in particular on respectively. Table 1 provides a synoptic basic research so that advanced stages of summary. study have mainly theoretical orientation and research-oriented components. 3. Approval/Accreditation of Programmes and Degrees - Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences) concentrate their study programmes To ensure quality and comparability of in and other technical disciplines, qualifications, the organization of studies and business-related studies, social work, and general degree requirements have to conform design areas. The common mission of applied to principles and regulations established by the research and development implies a distinct Standing Conference of the Ministers of application-oriented focus and professional Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in character of studies, which include integrated the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK).3 In and supervised work assignments in industry, 1999, a system of accreditation for enterprises or other relevant institutions. programmes of study has become operational under the control of an Accreditation Council at - Kunst- und Musikhochschulen (Universities of national level. All new programmes have to be Art/) offer studies for artistic careers in accredited under this scheme; after a fine arts, performing arts and music; in such successful accreditation they receive the fields as directing, production, writing in quality-label of the Accreditation Council.4 theatre, film, and other media; and in a variety of design areas, architecture, media and communication.

Higher Education Institutions are either state or state-recognized institutions. In their operations, including the organization of studies and the designation and award of degrees, they are both subject to higher education legislation.

2. Types of Programmes and Degrees Awarded

Studies in all three types of institutions have traditionally been offered in integrated "long" (one-tier) programmes leading to - or Magister Artium degrees or completed by a Staatsprüfung (State Examination).

Within the framework of the Bologna-Process one-tier study programmes are successively being replaced by a two-tier study system. Since 1998, a scheme of first- and second- level degree programmes (Bachelor and

Table 1: Institutions, Programmes and Degrees in German Higher Education

Transfer Procedures

UNIVERSITIES Bachelor (B.A./B.Sc./B.Eng./LL.B./B.Ed.) [1-2 years] (Universitäten ) & SPECIALISED [3-4 years] Master (M.A./M.Sc./M.Eng./LL.M./M.Ed.) INSTITUTIONS of standing (Dr.) (Theologische und Diplom & Magister Artium (M.A.) degree [4-5 years] Pädagogische ( research; Hochschulen) may include [Doctorate] Staatsprüfung (State Examination) [3-6.5 years] formal course work)

Transfer Procedures

Bachelor (B.A./B.Sc./B.Eng./LL.B) [1-2 years] UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED SCIENCES [3-4 years] (UAS) Master (M.A./M.Sc./M.Eng./LL.M)

(Fachhochschulen ) Diplom (FH) degree [4 Jyears] (FH) Transfer Procedures

Transfer Procedures

Bachelor (B.A./B.F.A./B.Mus./B.Ed.) [1-2 years] UNIVERSITIES OF Doctorate ART/MUSIC [3-4 years] Master (M.A./M.F.A./M.Mus./M.Ed.) (Dr.) (Kunst-/ Musikhochschulen ) Diplom & M.A. degree, Certificates, certified examinations [Some Doctorate] [4.5 years]

Integrated/long (One-Tier) Programmes Doctorate

Programmes/ Degrees Transfer Procedures

First degree Second degree

4. Organization and Structure of Studies An integrated study programme is either mono- disciplinary ( Diplom degrees, most The following programmes apply to all three programmes completed by a Staatsprüfung ) or types of institutions. Bachelor’s and Master’s comprises a combination of either two major or study courses may be studied consecutively, at one major and two minor fields ( Magister various higher education institutions, at Artium ). The first stage (1.5 to 2 years) focuses different types of higher education institutions on broad orientations and foundations of the and with phases of professional work between field(s) of study. An Intermediate Examination the first and the second qualification. The (Diplom-Vorprüfung for Diplom degrees; organization of the study programmes makes Zwischenprüfung or credit requirements for the use of modular components and of the Magister Artium ) is prerequisite to enter the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation second stage of advanced studies and System (ECTS) with 30 credits corresponding specializations. Degree requirements include to one semester. submission of a thesis (up to 6 months duration) and comprehensive final written and 4.1 Bachelor oral examinations. Similar regulations apply to studies leading to a Staatsprüfung . The level of Bachelor degree study programmes lay the qualification is equivalent to the Master level. academic foundations, provide methodological skills and lead to qualifications related to the - Integrated studies at Universitäten (U) last 4 professional field. The Bachelor degree is to 5 years ( Diplom degree, Magister Artium ) or awarded after 3 to 4 years. 3 to 6.5 years ( Staatsprüfung ). The Diplom The Bachelor degree programme includes a degree is awarded in engineering disciplines, thesis requirement. Study courses leading to the natural sciences as well as economics and the Bachelor degree must be accredited business. In the , the corresponding according to the establishing a is usually the Magister Artium (M.A.). In for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in the social sciences, the practice varies as a Germany. matter of institutional traditions. Studies First degree programmes (Bachelor) lead to preparing for the legal, medical and (B.A.), pharmaceutical professions are completed by (B.Sc.), (B.Eng.), a Staatsprüfung . This applies also to studies Bachelor of (LL.B.), preparing for teaching professions of some (B.F.A.), (B.Mus.) or Länder. (B.Ed.). The three qualifications (Diplom , Magister Artium and Staatsprüfung ) are academically 4.2 Master equivalent. They qualify to apply for admission to doctoral studies. Further prerequisites for Master is the second degree after another 1 to admission may be defined by the Higher 2 years. Master study programmes may be Education Institution, cf. Sec. 8.5. differentiated by the profile types “practice- oriented” and “research-oriented”. Higher - Integrated studies at Fachhochschulen Education Institutions define the profile. (FH) /Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) The Master degree study programme includes last 4 years and lead to a Diplom (FH) degree. a thesis requirement. Study programmes While the FH /UAS are non-doctorate granting leading to the Master degree must be institutions, qualified graduates may apply for accredited according to the Law establishing a admission to doctoral studies at doctorate- Foundation for the Accreditation of Study granting institutions, cf. Sec. 8.5. Programmes in Germany. Second degree programmes (Master) lead to - Studies at Kunst- and Musikhochschulen (M.A.), (Universities of Art/Music etc.) are more (M.Sc.), (M.Eng.), diverse in their organization, depending on the (L.L.M.), field and individual objectives. In addition to (M.F.A.), (M.Mus.) or Master Diplom/Magister degrees, the integrated study of Education (M.Ed.). Master study programme awards include Certificates and programmes which are designed for continuing certified examinations for specialized areas education may carry other designations (e.g. and professional purposes. MBA). 4.4 Doctorate 4.3 Integrated "Long" Programmes (One- Tier): Universities as well as specialized institutions Diplom degrees, Magister Artium, Staats- of university standing and some Universities of prüfung Art/Music are doctorate-granting institutions. Formal prerequisite for admission to doctoral work is a qualified Master (UAS and U), a

Magister degree , a Diplom , a Staatsprüfung , or system a foreign equivalent. Particularly qualified (http://www.kmk.org/dokumentation/deutsche- holders of a Bachelor or a Diplom (FH) degree eurydice- may also be admitted to doctoral studies stelle-der-laender.html) without acquisition of a further degree by - Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK) [German means of a procedure to determine their Rectors’ Conference]; aptitude. The universities respectively the Ahrstrasse 39, D-53175 Bonn; Fax: doctorate-granting institutions regulate entry to +49[0]228/887-110; Phone: a doctorate as well as the structure of the +49[0]228/887-0; www.hrk.de ; E-Mail: procedure to determine aptitude. Admission [email protected] further requires the acceptance of the - "Higher Education Compass" of the German Dissertation research project by a as Rectors’ Conference a supervisor. features comprehensive information on institutions, programmes of 4. Grading Scheme study, etc. (www.higher-education- compass.de) The grading scheme in Germany usually comprises five levels (with numerical equivalents; intermediate grades may be given): " Sehr Gut " (1) = Very Good; "Gut " (2) = Good; " Befriedigend " (3) = Satisfactory; 1 Berufsakademien are not considered as Higher "Ausreichend " (4) = Sufficient; " Nicht Education ausreichend " (5) = Non-Sufficient/Fail. The Institutions, they only exist in some of the Länder . minimum passing grade is " Ausreichend " (4). They offer Verbal designations of grades may vary in educational programmes in close cooperation with private companies. some cases and for doctoral degrees. Students receive a formal degree and carry out In addition institutions partly already use an an apprenticeship at ECTS grading scheme. the company. Some Berufsakademien offer Bachelor courses which 5. Access to Higher Education are recognized as an if they are accredited by a The General Higher Education Entrance German accreditation agency. 2 Qualification ( Allgemeine Hochschulreife , German Qualification Framework for Higher Abitur ) after 12 to 13 years of schooling allows Education Degrees (Resolution of the Standing Conference of the for admission to all higher educational studies. Ministers of Education Specialized variants ( Fachgebundende and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Hochschulreife ) allow for admission to Republic of Germany particular disciplines. Access to of 21.04.2005). Fachhochschulen (UAS) is also possible with a 3 Common structural guidelines of the Länder for the Fachhochschulreife , which can usually be accreditation of acquired after 12 years of schooling. Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses Admission to Universities of Art/Music may be (Resolution of the Standing based on other or require additional evidence Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the demonstrating individual aptitude. Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany of Higher Education Institutions may in certain 10.10.2003, as cases apply additional admission procedures. amended on 04.02.2010). 4 “Law establishing a Foundation ‘Foundation for the 6. National Sources of Information Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany’”, entered into - Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK) [Standing force as from Conference of the Ministers 26.2.2005, GV. NRW. 2005, nr. 5, p. 45 in of Education and Cultural Affairs of the connection with the Declaration of the Länder to the Foundation Länder in the Federal Republic “Foundation: Foundation of Germany]; Graurheindorfer Str. 157, D- for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in 53117 Bonn; Germany” (Resolution of Tel.: +49(0)228/501-0; Fax: +49(0)228/501- the Standing Conference of the Ministers of 777 Education and Cultural - Central Office for Foreign Education (ZaB) as Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of German NARIC; Germany of www.kmk.org; E-Mail: [email protected] 16.12.2004. - "Documentation and Educational Information Service" as German EURYDICE-Unit, providing the national dossier on the education