大象传媒

1.1. Schematic Description of the Higher Education System

Source:

 

1.2. Description of Higher Education System

Due to the federal system in Germany, responsibility for education, including higher education, lies entirely with the individual federal states. Each state has its own laws governing higher education.

There are currently 422 higher education institutions in Germany with a combined student population of approximately 2.9 million. Of these, 122 are universities, 243 are universities of applied sciences (in German 鈥楬ochschulen f眉r Angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW)/ Fachhochschulen (FH)鈥�) or similar institutions, 57 are universities of the arts (in German 鈥楰眉nstlerische Hochschulen鈥�).

Higher Education Institutions

Higher education institutions (HEI) 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.

Universities including various specialized institutions, offer the whole range of academic disciplines. In the German tradition, universities focus in particular on basic research so that advanced stages of study have mainly theoretical orientation and research-oriented components. Universities have the right to confer doctoral degrees and cater for the education and training of the next generation of academics.

Universities of applied sciences concentrate their study programmes on engineering and other technical disciplines, business-related studies, social work, and design areas. The common mission of applied research and development implies a distinct application-oriented focus and professional character of studies, which include integrated and supervised work assignments in industry, enterprises or other relevant institutions. 1.15 million students attend universities of applied sciences.

The third major group comprises the universities of the arts, offering 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. A central characteristic is the uniting of arts teaching, artistic practice and research. There is a clear difference between teaching of arts subjects, and teaching at universities and universities of applied sciences. Their core objective is to allow students to develop as artistic individuals. 1.3% of all students attend a university of the arts. Almost all universities of the arts have the right to confer doctoral degrees and the post-doctoral 鈥楬abilitation鈥� qualification for the title of 鈥榩rofessor鈥�.

In total, German higher education institutions currently offer 22,310 study programmes, approximately 10,130 Bacherlor’s degree programmes, a further 10,458 Master’s degree programmes and 1,722 other study programmes. There are essentially two university-level academic qualifications, a Bachelor鈥檚 degree and a Master鈥檚 degree. In addition, there are some subject areas in which courses lead to state-certified exams, for example, medicine, law and the training of teachers.

Finally, there are still some remaining degree programmes that lead to a 鈥淪taatsexamen鈥�, a 鈥淢agister鈥� or a “Diplom” qualification.

Higher education institutions are either state-funded or state-accredited. In spite of the increasing presence of private HEIs, a large number of which have been established in the last few years, public HEIs remain clearly in the majority. There are 274 public, state-funded institutions of higher education, compared with 110 private, state-recognised and 38 church maintained and state-recognised ones. These are predominantly small institutions offering only a very limited range of subjects, e.g. Business Administration, Media Studies, and Design. 86% of all students are matriculated at public higher education institutions.

Organisation and structure

Within Germany鈥檚 federal structure, responsibility for education lies with the individual federal states. The states are responsible for the basic funding and organisation of HEIs. Each state regulates higher education through its own legislation. Therefore, the actual structure and organisation of the various systems of higher education may differ from state to state. The management structures of HEIs vary, as do the regulations governing the accreditation of new degree programmes.

Currently, no general study fees are charged at public HEIs, at least for citizens of the European Union. However, some states charge administration fees or, for instance long-term students may also be charged. Many private institutions, by contrast, do take fees for their degrees.

In order to ensure the same conditions of study and to guarantee mobility within Germany, certain basic principles have been agreed upon by the federal state ministers for education and science within the framework of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. State governments must take these into account when formulating their laws and regulations.

HEIs have a certain degree of autonomy as regards their organisation and the decision-making on academic issues. In the last two decades, institutional autonomy has been increasingly broadened to include issues related to human resources and budget control.

 

1.3. List of Higher Education Institutions

The so-called “” provides an overview of all public and government-recognised German higher education institutions.

422 higher education institutions:

• 122 Universities
• 243 Universities of Applied Sciences
• 57 Universities of the Arts,
  thereof
  • State (public) institutions: 274
  • non-state, state-recognised institutions: 148
    • of which private: 110
    • of which church maintained: 38

Source:

 

1.4. Number of Students in Higher Education

General number of students: 2.9 million (winter semester 2024/2025)

Number of students divided by type of institution:

• Universities: 1.68 million students
• Universities of Applied Sciences: 1.15 million students
• Universities of the Arts: 37,312 students

Proportion of foreign students enrolled in full degree programmes: 17.2% of all students

Number of outgoing German students: 136,816 (in total)

Sources:
(figures are for 2023/2024)

 

1.5. Structure of Academic Year

The academic year is divided into two semesters: winter semester (September/October 鈥� February) and summer semester (March/April to June/July). The exact beginning of the semester varies somewhat between the HEI types.

 

1.6. National Qualifications Framework (or Similar)

The higher education degrees (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) are described in the 鈥淨ualifications Framework for Higher Education Degrees鈥� (HQR), first issued in 2005 and revised in 2017. It is linked to the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area. The HQR is the relevant framework for the accreditation of Bachelor and Master programmes (cf. 1.7).

Moreover, there is a German overarching framework for all educational sectors (level 1-8), corresponding to the European Qualifications Framework, placing Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate at levels 6, 7 and 8, respectively.

 

1.7. Learning Outcomes in Higher Education

Learning outcomes on programme as well on degree level need to correspond to the learning outcomes described in the 鈥淨ualifications Framework for Higher Education Degrees鈥� (HQR, cf. 1.6). The correspondence is assessed during the accreditation process.

 

1.8. Admission Requirements to Higher Education

Bachelor programmes

Foreign higher education entrance qualifications

If a student has gained a higher education entrance qualification outside of Germany or at a German school abroad, the foreign academic qualification has to be recognised in Germany as suitable for entry to higher education. The main condition is that the foreign school-leaving qualification allows to enter higher education in the country of origin. If the certificate is not recognised as an equivalent, students have to attend a preparation class and do a final entrance exam at a Studienkolleg. In some countries, Studienkollegs have an outpost where they can sit the entrance exam. Further information is to be found on the Studienkolleg鈥檚 website. Usually, however, the students will need to come to Germany to the Studienkolleg in order to write the entrance exam. Details on recognition of certificates are available on the so-called  (in Germany only).

Part-time study

A part-time study abroad (two or three semesters) might be accepted as an equivalent to admission as well.

Language proficiency

All foreign students who did not receive their higher education entrance qualification at a school where German is the language of tuition have to prove their language proficiency in German. The assessment has to be based on a specific language certificate on an academic level comparable to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Citizenship

Students from EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, for example, enjoy unrestricted access to the German labour market and have practically the same rights as German students. This relates, for instance, to study fees, HEI entrance criteria, access to housing und student jobs.

Source:

Master programmes

A Bachelor鈥檚 degree from a non-German university grants access to a Master programme at a German university according to the Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning higher education in the European Region. This treaty is also signed by a number of non-European countries. In addition, Germany signed specific agreements with certain countries on access to Master and doctoral programmes.

For more information about equivalency agreements in Germany, please consult the  by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the L盲nder in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK).

The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is the central authority for the evaluation of foreign qualifications in Germany. These include school-leaving certificates and academic degrees. The ZAB provides services for educational institutions, public authorities and individuals. The ZAB works together closely with the National Academic Recognition Information Centres in the European Union (NARIC), the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Network of Information Centres in the European Region (ENIC). The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) takes up the role of both, the German NARIC and the German ENIC.

Source:

 

1.9. Grading System

The grading scheme in Germany usually comprises five levels (with numerical equivalents; intermediate grades may be given):

• 鈥淪ehr Gut鈥� (1) = Very Good;
• 鈥淕ut鈥� (2) = Good;
• 鈥淏efriedigend鈥� (3) = Satisfactory;
• 鈥淎usreichend鈥� (4) = Sufficient;
• 鈥淣icht ausreichend鈥� (5) = Non-Sufficient/Fail.

The minimum passing grade is 鈥淎usreichend鈥� (4).

In addition, grade distribution tables as described in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) Users鈥� Guide are used to indicate the relative distribution of grades within a reference group.

Sources:

 

1.10. Tuition Fee System for International Students

Regulations on tuition fees are subject to the respective federal state鈥檚 Higher Education Law, as HEIs fall under the jurisdiction of the sixteen federal states. Generally speaking, HEIs in Germany do not charge tuition fees. However, there are exceptions 鈥� for example Baden-W眉rttemberg, where non-EU/ EEA students are required to pay tuition fees. Furthermore, private institutions and certain Master level continuing education programmes (such as MBA programmes) are usually fee-based.

 

1.11. Graduation Requirements and/or Qualification Awarding Requirements

The following regulations apply to all three types of institutions. Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 study programmes may be studied consecutively, at various higher education institutions, at different types of Higher Education Institutions and with periods of professional work between the first and the second qualification. The organisation of the study programmes makes use of modular components and of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) with 30 credits corresponding to one semester.

Bachelor鈥檚 degree (level 1 of HQR, cf. 1.6)

Bachelor鈥檚 degree programmes lay the academic foundations, provide methodological competences, and include skills related to the professional field. The Bachelor鈥檚 degree is awarded after 3 to 4 years.
The Bachelor鈥檚 degree programme includes a thesis requirement. Study programmes leading to the Bachelor鈥檚 degree must be accredited according to the Interstate study accreditation treaty.
First degree programmes (Bachelor) lead to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) or Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). The Bachelor鈥檚 degree corresponds to level 6 of the German Qualifications Framework (GQF) / European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Master鈥檚 degree (level 2 of HQR, cf. 1.6)

Master is the second degree after another 1 to 2 years. Master鈥檚 programmes may be differentiated by the profile types 鈥減ractice-oriented鈥� and 鈥渞esearch-oriented鈥�. Higher education institutions define the profile.

The Master鈥檚 degree programme includes a thesis requirement. Study programmes leading to the Master鈥檚 degree must be accredited according to the Interstate study accreditation treaty.
Second degree programmes (Master) lead to Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Master of Laws (L.L.M.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Master of Music (M.Mus.) or Master of Education (M.Ed.). Master鈥檚 programmes which are designed for continuing education may carry other designations (e.g. MBA). The Master鈥檚 degree corresponds to level 7 of the (GQF/EQF).

Integrated 鈥淟ong鈥� Programmes (One-Tier): Diplom degrees, Magister Artium, 厂迟补补迟蝉辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳

An integrated study programme is either mono-disciplinary (Diplom degrees, most programmes are completed by a 厂迟补补迟蝉辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳) or comprises a combination of either two major or one major and two minor fields (Magister Artium). The first stage (1.5 to 2 years) focuses on broad orientations and foundations of the field(s) of study. An Intermediate Examination (顿颈辫濒辞尘-痴辞谤辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳 for Diplom degrees; 窜飞颈蝉肠丑别苍辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳 or credit requirements for the Magister Artium) is prerequisite for entering the second stage of advanced studies and specialisations. Degree requirements include the submission of a thesis (up to 6 months duration) and comprehensive final written and oral examinations. Similar regulations apply to studies leading to a 厂迟补补迟蝉辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳. The level of qualification is equivalent to the Master鈥檚 level.

• Integrated studies at 鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟盲迟别苍 (U) last 4 to 5 years (Diplom degree, Magister Artium) or 3.5 to 6.5 years (厂迟补补迟蝉辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳). The Diplom degree is awarded in engineering disciplines, the natural sciences as well as economics and business. In the humanities, the corresponding degree is usually the Magister Artium (M.A.). In the social sciences, the practice varies as a matter of institutional traditions. Studies preparing for the legal, medical and pharmaceutical professions are completed by a 厂迟补补迟蝉辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳. This applies also to studies preparing for teaching professions of some federal states.
  The three qualifications (Diplom, Magister Artium and 厂迟补补迟蝉辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳) are academically equivalent and correspond to level 7 of the German Qualifications Framework / European Qualifications Framework.
  They qualify to apply for admission to doctoral studies. Further prerequisites for admission may be defined by the Higher Education Institution, cf. Sec. 8.5.
• Integrated studies at Fachhochschulen (FH) / Hochschulen f眉r Angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW) (Universities of Applied Sciences, UAS) last 4 years and lead to a Diplom (FH) degree which corresponds to level 6 of the GQF / EQF.

While most of the FH / HAW / UAS are non-doctorate granting institutions, qualified graduates may apply for admission to doctoral studies at doctorate-granting institutions, cf. Sec. 8.5.
Integrated studies at Kunst- and Musikhochschulen (Universities of Art / Music etc.) are more diverse in their organisation, depending on the field and individual objectives. In addition to Diplom/Magister degrees, the integrated study programme awards include certificates and certified examinations for specialised areas and professional purposes.

Doctorate (level 3 of HQR, cf. 1.6)

Universities as well as specialised institutions of university status, some of the FH / HAW / UAS and some Universities of Art / Music are doctorate-granting institutions. Formal prerequisite for admission to doctoral work is a qualified Master鈥檚 degree (UAS and U), a Magister degree, a Diplom, a 厂迟补补迟蝉辫谤眉蹿耻苍驳, or a foreign equivalent. Comparable degrees from Universities of Art and Music can in exceptional cases (study programmes such as music theory, musicology, pedagogy of arts and music, media studies) also formally qualify for doctoral work. Particularly qualified holders of a Bachelor鈥檚 degree or a Diplom (FH) degree may also be admitted to doctoral studies without acquisition of a further degree by means of a procedure to determine their aptitude. The universities or the doctorate-granting institutions, respectively, regulate the access to a doctorate as well as the structure of the procedure to determine the aptitude. Admission further requires the acceptance of the dissertation research project by a professor as a supervisor.
The doctoral degree corresponds to level 8 of the GQF / EQF.

 

1.12. Relevant Current and Prospective Reforms in Higher Education

Some of the most relevant HEI reforms and policies of recent years in Germany include the following:

• Strategy of the Federal and L盲nder Ministers of Science for the Internationalisation of Institutions of Higher Education in Germany
• Future Contract for Strengthening Studies and Teaching
• Pact for Higher Education / Hochschulpakt
• Quality pact for teaching in higher education / Qualit盲tspakt Lehre
• Excellence Strategy / Exzellenzstrategie
• Funding initiative 鈥淚nnovative Hochschule鈥�
• Women Professors Programme 2030 / Professorinnenprogramm 2030

Sources:

(in German only)

 

2.1. Quality Assurance Body in Higher Education

There are several quality assurance agencies based in Germany that, complying with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the EHEA (ESG), have undergone an assessment and are listed in the . The German accrediting body is the  (GAC; Akkreditierungsrat), tasked by the German federal states with deciding on the accreditation of study programmes (programme accreditation) and quality management systems (system accreditation).

 

2.2. Quality Assurance System

Accreditation is obligatory for Bachelor and Master programmes. Institutions can choose between programme accreditation, system accreditation (i.e. the accreditation of the internal quality management system in teaching and learning, comparable to a 鈥渟elf-accrediting鈥� institution) or alternative forms of accreditation that have to comply with the Interstate study accreditation treaty and the Specimen decree of the treaty. Internal quality assurance, therefore, is performed in different ways but on a regular basis. The accreditation period is 8 years for all types of accreditation.

 

2.3. Programme Authorisation and Quality Assurance

The necessity for programme authorisation differs according to the federal state (Land) where the institution is based. All accredited study programmes and institutions are listed in the Furthermore, the so-called  (Hochschulkompass), published by the German Rectors鈥� Conference, lists all study programmes offered in Germany and provides further information.

 

3.1. Description of Credit System

In Germany, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is used, appointing 1 credit to 30 hours of student workload; i.e. 30 credits per semester or 60 credits per year.

 

3.2. Credit Transfer System(s)

Adhering to the ECTS, Germany recognises European Credits obtained abroad. For knowledge and skills not classified under the ECTS, for example credits obtained outside the EHEA or vocational training, there are different individual recognition procedures.

All Higher Education Institutions in Germany are bound by law to apply the ECTS.

Source:

 

3.3. Additional Information

All Higher Education Institutions in Germany are bound by law to apply the ECTS.
All valid information on the credit system and learning outcomes can be found in the 

 

3.4. Is Application of Credit System in Higher Education Institutions Mandatory?

Each semester at a German HEI is foreseen to contain 30 ECTS, leading to 60 ECTS per academic year. Students are free to reduce or increase the number of courses taken and thus the number of credits obtained at their own choice.

 

3.5. Number of Credits per Academic Year/Semester

• A Bachelor鈥檚 degree at a German HEI consists of 180 to 240 ECTS, equalling a workload of three to four years.
• A Master鈥檚 degree at a German HEI usually consists of 90 to 120 ECTS, equalling a workload of one-and-a-half to two years. There are some exceptions to the rule, with Master鈥檚 degrees requiring only 60 ECTS, i.e. one year鈥檚 workload.

 

3.6. Number of Credits per Higher Education Cycle

In line with the ECTs, 1 credit equals 30 hours of student workload, with 1 studying hour representing 60 minutes.

 

3.7. Description of Credit Unit

Each programme at a German HEI is monitored (cf. Chapter 2 on Quality Assurance in Higher Education above) to establish whether the credit allocation, the defined learning outcomes and the estimated workload are achievable, realistic and adequate.