German EQF Referencing Report 13th June 2013 Table of Contents Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................... 5 0. Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... 5 1. The German Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (DQR) and its objectives ... 11 2. The education system in the Federal Republic of Germany ............................................... 14 2.1. Political responsibilities ........................................................................................................ 14 2.2. Design and basic structure ................................................................................................... 17 2.3. General education ................................................................................................................. 21 2.3.1. Pre-school education: day-care for children ............................................................. 21 2.3.2. Primary education: Grundschule (primary school) .................................................. 22 2.3.3. Transition from primary to secondary education ..................................................... 22 2.3.4. Lower secondary education ...................................................................................... 23 2.3.5. Upper secondary education ...................................................................................... 24 2.4. Vocational education and training ...................................................................................... 27 2.4.1. In-company initial and further vocational education and training............................ 31 2.4.1.1. Dual system of vocational education and training ................................................... 31 2.4.1.2. Regulated vocational further training under the Vocational Training Act and Handicrafts Code ...................................................................................................... 33 2.4.2. Initial and further training at school ......................................................................... 35 2.4.2.1. Full vocational qualification and assistant training at Berufsfachschulen ................ 35 2.4.2.2. Fachoberschulen, Berufsoberschulen, Berufliches Gymnasium/Fachgymnasium ... 36 2.4.2.3 Further training at Fachschulen/Fachakademien..................................................... 37 2.4.3. Transitional sector between general education schools and vocational education and training ..................................................................................................................... 37 2.5. Higher education ................................................................................................................... 40 2.5.1. Universities and equivalent higher education institutions, universities of applied sciences .................................................................................................................... 40 2.5.2. Berufsakademien ...................................................................................................... 43 2 2.6. Continuing education ........................................................................................................... 44 2.6.1. Legal bases ............................................................................................................... 44 2.6.2. Education institutions in the continuing education sector ........................................ 45 2.6.2.1. Types of continuing education ................................................................................. 46 2.6.2.2. Degrees and certificates in continuing education ..................................................... 49 2.7. Non-formal and informal learning ...................................................................................... 49 3. The drawing up of the DQR .................................................................................................. 55 3.1. Overview of the process ........................................................................................... 55 3.2. The concept of ‘competence’ in the DQR ................................................................ 57 3.3. The DQR matrix ....................................................................................................... 59 3.4. Pilot phase ................................................................................................................ 66 3.5. Communication ........................................................................................................ 68 3.6. Participation of stakeholders .................................................................................... 68 4. Compliance with the referencing criteria .................................................................................. 71 4.1. Criterion 1 ………………………………………………………………………………………71 4.2. Criterion 2 ………………………………………………..…………………………………….73 4.2.1. Structural comparison of the DQR and EQF ............................................................ 74 4.2.2. Relationship to the European Higher Education Area .............................................. 80 4.2.3. Referencing at descriptor level ................................................................................. 81 4.3. Criterion 3……………… ............................................................................................................ 97 4.3.1. Learning outcome orientation in the German education system .............................. 97 4.3.1.1. School-based general education ............................................................................... 99 4.3.1.2. Dual vocational education and training .................................................................. 101 4.3.1.3. Higher education sector .......................................................................................... 103 4.3.2. Credit points and credit systems in the German educational sector ....................... 105 4.3.2.1. Initial and continuing vocational education and training ....................................... 105 4.3.2.2. Higher education sector .......................................................................................... 107 4.3.3. Measures to validate non-formal and informal learning ........................................ 108 4.4. Criterion 4 ……………………………………………………………………………………..110 4.4.1. Allocation methodology ......................................................................................... 110 4.4.2. The level allocations and their justification ............................................................ 113 3 4.5. Criterion 5 ……………………………………………………………………………………..170 4.5.1. Quality assurance and the DQR ............................................................................. 170 4.5.2. General and vocational schools .............................................................................. 171 4.5.2.1. Specific legal framework........................................................................................ 171 4.5.2.2. Responsible bodies ................................................................................................. 171 4.5.2.3. Quality assurance measures.................................................................................... 171 4.5.3. In-company vocational training in the dual system ................................................ 173 4.5.3.1. Specific legal framework........................................................................................ 173 4.5.3.2. Responsible bodies ................................................................................................. 174 4.5.3.3. Quality assurance measures.................................................................................... 176 4.5.4. Continuing education ............................................................................................. 178 4.5.4.1. Specific legal framework........................................................................................ 178 4.5.4.2. Responsible bodies ................................................................................................. 178 4.5.4.3. Quality assurance measures.................................................................................... 179 4.5.5. Higher education .................................................................................................... 181 4.5.5.1. Specific legal framework........................................................................................ 181 4.5.5.2. Responsible bodies ................................................................................................. 182 4.5.5.3. Quality assurance measures.................................................................................... 182 4.6. Criterion 6 ……………………………………………………………………………………..185 4.7. Criterion 7 ........................................................................................................................... 185 4.7.1. Workshops and conferences involving international experts ................................. 185 4.7.2. Involvement of international experts in the context of the referencing process ..... 186 4.7.3. Country network meeting Germany – Lichtenstein – Austria – Switzerland (D-L-A-CH) ........................................................................................................... 189 4.8. Criterion 8 ……………………………………………………………………………………..190