Please also note the information at the official 8.2 Types of Programmes and Degrees Website of the German Rector’s Conference on Awarded https://www.hrk.de/activities/higher-education- system/ Studies in all three types of institutions have traditionally been offered in integrated "long" (one- tier) programmes leading to Diplom- or Magister Artium degrees or completed by a Staatsprüfung (State Examination). 8. INFORMATION ON THE GERMAN Within the framework of the Bologna-Process one- SYSTEM1 tier study programmes are successively being replaced by a two-tier study system. Since 1998, two- 8.1 Types of Institutions and Institutional tier degrees (Bachelor’s and Master’s) have been Status introduced in almost all study programmes. This change is designed to enlarge variety and flexibility Higher education (HE) studies in Germany are for students in planning and pursuing educational offered at three types of Higher Education Institutions objectives; it also enhances international (HEI).2 compatibility of studies.

- Universitäten (Universities) including various The German Qualifications Framework for Higher 3 specialised institutions, offer the whole range of Education Qualifications (HQR) describes the academic disciplines. In the German tradition, qualification levels as well as the resulting universities focus in particular on basic research so qualifications and competences of the graduates. that advanced stages of study have mainly The three levels of the HQR correspond to the levels theoretical orientation and research-oriented 6, 7 and 8 of the German Qualifications Framework 4 components. for Lifelong Learning and the European 5 Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning . - Fachhochschulen (FH)/Hochschulen für For details cf. Sec. 8.4.1, 8.4.2, and 8.4.3 Angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW) (Universities of respectively. Table 1 provides a synoptic summary. Applied Sciences, UAS) concentrate their study programmes in engineering and other technical disciplines, business-related studies, social work, and design areas. The common mission of applied research and development implies an application- oriented focus of studies, which includes integrated and supervised work assignments in industry, enterprises or other relevant institutions.

- Kunst- und Musikhochschulen (Universities of Art/Music) offer studies for artistic careers in fine arts, performing arts and music; in such fields as directing, production, writing in theatre, film, and other media; and in a variety of design areas, architecture, media and communication.

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

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 university standing (Dr.) (Theologische und Diplom & Magister Artium (M.A.) degree [4-5 years] Pädagogische ( research; Hochschulen) may include [Doctorate] Staatsprüfung (State Examination) [3.5-6.5 years] formal course work)

Transfer procedures UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED SCIENCES Bachelor (B.A./B.Sc./B.Eng./LL.B.) [1-2 years] (UAS) (Fachhochschulen, [3-4 years] Master (M.A./M.Sc./M.Eng./LL.M.) FH, and Hochschulen für Angewandte Wissenschaften, HAW) Diplom (FH) degree [4 years] 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

8.3 Approval/Accreditation of Programmes 8.4.2.1 Integrated "Long" Programmes (One- and Degrees Tier):Diplom degrees, Magister Artium, Staatsprüfung To ensure quality and comparability of qualifications, the organisation of studies and general degree An integrated study programme is either mono- requirements have to conform to principles and disciplinary (Diplom degrees, most programmes regulations established by the Standing Conference completed by a Staatsprüfung) or comprises a of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of combination of either two major or one major and two the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany 6 minor fields (Magister Artium). The first stage (1.5 to (KMK). In 1999, a system of accreditation for 2 years) focuses on broad orientations and Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes has become foundations of the field(s) of study. An Intermediate operational. All new programmes have to be Examination (Diplom-Vorprüfung for Diplom accredited under this scheme; after a successful degrees; Zwischenprüfung or credit requirements for accreditation they receive the seal of the 7 the Magister Artium) is prerequisite to enter the Accreditation Council. second stage of advanced studies and

specialisations. Degree requirements include 8.4 Organisation and Structure of Studies submission of a thesis (up to 6 months duration) and comprehensive final written and oral examinations. The following programmes apply to all three types of Similar regulations apply to studies leading to a institutions. Bachelor’s and Master’s study Staatsprüfung. The level of qualification is equivalent programmes may be studied consecutively, at to the Master’s level. various higher education institutions, at different types of higher education institutions and with phases - Integrated studies at Universitäten (U) last 4 to 5 of professional work between the first and the second years (Diplom degree, Magister Artium) or 3.5 to 6.5 qualification. The organisation of the study years (Staatsprüfung). The Diplom degree is programmes makes use of modular components and awarded in engineering disciplines, the natural of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation sciences as well as economics and business. In the System (ECTS) with 30 credits corresponding to one humanities, the corresponding degree is usually the semester. Magister Artium (M.A.). In the social sciences, the

practice varies as a matter of institutional traditions. 8.4.1 Bachelor Studies preparing for the legal, medical and pharmaceutical professions are completed by a Bachelor’s degree programmes lay the academic Staatsprüfung. This applies also to studies preparing foundations, provide methodological competences for teaching professions of some Länder. and include skills related to the professional field. The The three qualifications (Diplom, Magister Artium and Bachelor’s degree is awarded after 3 to 4 years. Staatsprüfung) are academically equivalent and The Bachelor’s degree programme includes a thesis correspond to level 7 of the German Qualifications requirement. Study programmes leading to the Framework/European Qualifications Framework. Bachelor’s degree must be accredited according to 8 They qualify to apply for admission to doctoral the Interstate study accreditation treaty. studies. Further prerequisites for admission may be First degree programmes (Bachelor) lead to Bachelor defined by the Higher Education Institution, cf. Sec. of Arts (B.A.), (B.Sc.), Bachelor 8.5. of Engineering (B.Eng.), (LL.B.), (B.F.A.), - Integrated studies at Fachhochschulen (B.Mus.) or (B.Ed.). (FH)/Hochschulen für Angewandte Wissenschaften The Bachelor’s degree corresponds to level 6 of the (HAW) (Universities of Applied Sciences, UAS) last 4 German Qualifications Framework/ European years and lead to a Diplom (FH) degree which Qualifications Framework. corresponds to level 6 of the German Qualifications Framework/European Qualifications Framework. 8.4.2 Master Qualified graduates of FH/HAW/UAS may apply for admission to doctoral studies at doctorate-granting Master is the second degree after another 1 to 2 institutions, cf. Sec. 8.5. years. Master’s programmes may be differentiated by the profile types “practice-oriented” and “research- - Studies at Kunst- and Musikhochschulen oriented”. Higher Education Institutions define the (Universities of Art/Music etc.) are more diverse in profile. their organisation, depending on the field and The Master’s degree programme includes a thesis individual objectives. In addition to Diplom/Magister requirement. Study programmes leading to the degrees, the integrated study programme awards Master’s degree must be accredited according to the 9 include certificates and certified examinations for Interstate study accreditation treaty. specialised areas and professional purposes. Second degree programmes (Master) lead to (M.A.), (M.Sc.), Master of 8.5 Doctorate Engineering (M.Eng.), (L.L.M.), (M.F.A.), Universities as well as specialised institutions of (M.Mus.) or (M.Ed.). Master´s university standing, some of the FH/HAW/UAS and programmes which are designed for continuing some Universities of Art/Music are doctorate-granting education may carry other designations (e.g. MBA). institutions. Formal prerequisite for admission to The Master’s degree corresponds to level 7 of the doctoral work is a qualified Master’s degree (UAS German Qualifications Framework/ European and U), a , a Diplom, a Qualifications Framework. Staatsprüfung, or a foreign equivalent. Comparable degrees from universities of art and music can in exceptional cases (study programmes such as music programme in sports may be based on other or theory, musicology, pedagogy of arts and music, additional evidence demonstrating individual media studies) also formally qualify for doctoral work. aptitude. Particularly qualified holders of a Bachelor’s degree Applicants with a qualification in vocational or a Diplom (FH) degree may also be admitted to education and training but without a school-based doctoral studies without acquisition of a further higher education entrance qualification are entitled to degree by means of a procedure to determine their a general higher education entrance qualification and aptitude. The universities respectively the doctorate- thus to access to all study programmes, provided granting institutions regulate entry to a doctorate as they have obtained advanced further training well as the structure of the procedure to determine certificates in particular state-regulated vocational aptitude. Admission further requires the acceptance fields (e.g. Meister/Meisterin im Handwerk, of the Dissertation research project by a as Industriemeister/in, Fachwirt/in (IHK), Betriebswirt/in a supervisor. (IHK) und (HWK), staatlich gebrüfte/r Techniker/in, The doctoral degree corresponds to level 8 of the staatlich geprüfte/r Betriebswirt/in, staatlich German Qualifications Framework/ European geprüfte/r Gestalter/in, staatlich geprüfte/r Qualifications Framework. Erzieher/in). Vocationally qualified applicants can obtain a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife after 8.6 Grading Scheme completing a state-regulated of at least two years’ duration plus professional practice The grading scheme in Germany usually comprises of normally at least three years’ duration, after having five levels (with numerical equivalents; intermediate successfully passed an aptitude test at a higher grades may be given): "Sehr Gut" (1) = Very Good; education institution or other state institution; the "Gut" (2) = Good; "Befriedigend" (3) = Satisfactory; aptitude test may be replaced by successfully "Ausreichend" (4) = Sufficient; "Nicht ausreichend" completed trial studies of at least one year’s (5) = Non-Sufficient/Fail. The minimum passing duration.10 grade is "Ausreichend" (4). Verbal designations of Higher Education Institutions may in certain cases grades may vary in some cases and for doctoral apply additional admission procedures. degrees. In addition, grade distribution tables as described in 8.8 National Sources of Information the ECTS Users’ Guide are used to indicate the relative distribution of grades within a reference - Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK) [Standing group. Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal 8.7 Access to Higher Education Republic of Germany]; Graurheindorfer Str. 157, D- 53117 Bonn; The General Higher Education Entrance Qualification Phone: +49[0]228/501-0; www.kmk.org; E-Mail: (Allgemeine Hochschulreife, Abitur) after 12 to 13 [email protected] years of schooling allows for admission to all higher - Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) as educational studies. Specialised variants German NARIC; www.kmk.org; E-Mail: (Fachgebundene Hochschulreife) allow for [email protected] admission at Fachhochschulen (FH)/Hochschulen - German information office of the Länder in the für Angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW) (UAS), EURYDICE Network, providing the national dossier universities and equivalent higher education on the education system; www.kmk.org; E-Mail: institutions, but only in particular disciplines. Access [email protected] to study programmes at Fachhochschulen - Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK) [German (FH)/Hochschulen für Angewandte Wissenschaften Rectors’ Conference]; Leipziger Platz 11, D-10117 (HAW) (UAS) is also possible with a Berlin, Phone: +49 30 206292-11; www.hrk.de; E- Fachhochschulreife, which can usually be acquired Mail: [email protected] after 12 years of schooling. Admission to study - "Higher Education Compass" of the German programmes at Universities of Art/Music and Rectors’ Conference features comprehensive comparable study programmes at other higher information on institutions, programmes of study, education institutions as well as admission to a study etc. (www.higher-education-compass.de)

1 The information covers only aspects directly relevant to purposes of 5 Recommendation of the European Parliament and the European the Supplement. Council on the establishment of a European Qualifications 2 Berufsakademien are not considered as Higher Education Framework for Lifelong Learning of 23 April 2008 (2008/C 111/01 – European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning – EQF). Institutions, they only exist in some of the Länder. They offer 6 educational programmes in close cooperation with private Specimen decree pursuant to Article 4, paragraphs 1 – 4 of the companies. Students receive a formal degree and carry out an interstate study accreditation treaty (Resolution of the Standing apprenticeship at the company. Some Berufsakademien offer Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Bachelor courses which are recognised as an if Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany of 7 December 2017). they are accredited by the Accreditation Council. 7 Interstate Treaty on the organization of a joint accreditation system 3 German Qualifications Framework for Higher Education Degrees. to ensure the quality of teaching and learning at German higher (Resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education education institutions (Interstate study accreditation treaty) (Decision and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and of 16 February 2017). Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany of 4 German Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (DQR). Joint 8 December 2016), Enacted on 1 January 2018. 8 resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education See note No. 7. and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of 9 See note No. 7. Germany, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the German Conference of Economics Ministers and the German 10 Access to higher education for applicants with a vocational Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Resolution of the qualification, but without a school-based higher education entrance Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural qualification (Resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany of 15 of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal November 2012). More information at www.dqr.de Republic of Germany of 6 March 2009).