Education System
Germany Offers free education for pupils between 6 to 18 years.
Age 3 to 6 - Children may attend Kindergarten
Grade 1 to 4 - Elementary school/ Grundschule is mandatory
Based on the recommendation of Elementary school teachers, academic ability of the pupil & parents choices, students attend one of the 3 different kinds of secondary schools
Hauptschule
Grades Covered: 5 to 9 (some schools offer 10th grade)
Duration: 5 to 6 years
Age level: 10 to 15 years
Degree: Hauptschul abschluss
Direction: Leads to part-time enrollment in a vocational school combined with apprenticeship training until the age of 18
Realschule
Grades Covered: 5 to 10
Duration: 6 years
Age level: 10 to 15 years
Degree: Mittlere Reife
Direction: Leads to part-time and higher vocational schools
Students with high academic achievement may switch to Gymnasium
Gymnasium
Grades Covered: 5 to 13
Duration: 9 years
Age level: 10 to 18 years
Degree: Abitur
Direction: Prepare students for university study or for a dual academic and vocational credential
Gesamtschule
Grades Covered: 5 to 10
Duration: 6 years
Age level: 10 to 15 years
Degree: Hauptschulabschluss in the 9th grade/Mittlere Reife in the 10th grade
Direction: May follow one of the directions from either Realschule or Gymnasium
Higher education
Post secondary education, students have a wide choice from more than 200 University of Applied Sciences & 300 universities offering variety of courses & degree programs.
University/ Universität
More theory oriented
Degrees offered includes Bachelor, Master & Doctorate
Research plays an integral part of the study
Gaining knowledge & not practical application is the goal
Faculties include Education, Law, Medicine, Social & Cultural sciences, Business Management
Technical University / Technische Universität
Offers courses only in Engineering & Science
Degrees offered includes Bachelor, Master & Doctorate
Research plays an integral part of the study
University of Applied Sciences / Fachhochschule
More practice oriented
Offers Bachelors programs in general
Some institutions also offer Masters Program
Though research is gaining importance but the focus remains at application oriented study
Excellent job opportunities owing to the close tie up with industry
College of Arts & Music
College of Music offer courses in composition, directing, training on an instrument, voice, jazz, music theater, stage dance, and music education
College of Arts offer courses in Painting, Graphic Design, Sculpture and art education, architecture, stage design, ceramics, glass painting, restoration work, and art media
To get admission one should have demonstrate ability & exceptional talent
