Where To Study In Germany: Find Your Right Path

There are many paths that lead to an academic degree in Germany. The conventional path runs through university. Apart from that, there is the option to attend a Hochschule, or a university of cooperative education (Berufsakademie). Which path is the “right“ one for you depends, among other things, on your interests and qualifications targeted. Each study path has its own advantages. To make an adequate decision, one is advised to carefully enquire about each path in advance.

Universities are scientifically oriented higher-education institutions with a wide spectrum of study fields, ranging from natural sciences, humanities, mathematics and computer science, through medicine law and economics, to engineering as well as agriculture and forestry. Despite university education’s strong focus on science and research, universities partially offer dual and artistic courses of study as well. Also on offer are teacher education programs.

Depending on your occupational and career goals, there is no alternative to studying at a university (e.g., lawyer, physician). Those who seek a doctorate, habilitation or a career in academia usually must attend (public) university or a university-level higher-education institution. Prerequisite to study at university, typically, is general or subject-related higher-education entrance qualification. In specific cases, admission to university is also possible with a technical diploma, or by way of an admission examination. Studying at university involves a high degree of independence and flexibility. Students at universities are responsible for coordinating their lectures themselves. Some universities specialize in specific study areas, for example technical universities, as well as universities of medicine, veterinary medicine and sports.

Added to this are universities of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), located in Hamburg and Munich, whose purpose is to provide academic education to officers and officer candidates. Students graduating at such a university will be qualified to pursue a civil academic profession after their military service period of 13 years.

There are four types of Hochschulen in Germany: Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences), artistic Hochschulen, theological Hochschulen, and pädagogische Hochschulen (universities of teacher education).

Fachhochschulen, or universities of applied sciences, provide study programs with a strong focus on practice. Unlike German universities, Fachhochschulen center on the application of theoretical knowledge in consideration of occupational requirements. Hence an integral part of studying at a Fachhochschule are practice phases in terms of internships and project phases both nationally and abroad. On offer are study courses in engineering, media, social affairs, and business & economics. Fachhochschulen focusing on social affairs are often sponsored ecclesiastically. Common admission requirements in addition to higher-education entrance qualification or a technical diploma include a subject-related pre-study internship. Fachhochschulen, just like universities, offer education through Bachelor and Master degree programs, but unlike the latter, they are not entitled to confer doctoral degrees.

A special type of Fachhochschule is the Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung (university of applied sciences for public administration). Fachhochschulen für öffentliche Verwaltung are internal higher-education facilities for public administration run by the federal government and federal states aimed at providing training to prospective higher intermediate public service officials. Admission to a dual study course at a Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung, which takes place both at the relevant university of applied science and at the appropriate training authority, is granted by virtue of a public body.

Artistic Hochschulen exclusively provide art-related study courses (e.g., music, fashion design, film, architecture). Completing an artistic aptitude admission test is a mandatory requirement in addition to higher-education entrance qualification. In the case of outstanding artistic aptitude, however, higher-education entrance qualification is usually not required.

Among the artistic Hochschulen in Germany are art schools/art academies, music schools, academies of film and TV, as well as drama and dance schools. While some art schools offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and Diploma degrees, others do not provide for any final examinations. In the case of teaching-related art studies that either lead to a Bachelor or Master of Education respectively or are completed with a state examination, the educational part of a study program usually takes place at a nearby university. Study programs offered by music schools include intermediate examinations as well as a final examination (artistic maturity examination or Bachelor, Master, Diploma examination). In most cases the language of instruction at artistic Hochschulen is German. Some artistic Hochschulen have a limited right to confer doctorates.

Theological Hochschulen usually are ecclesiastically sponsored higher-education institutions whose main purpose is to provide theological training to clergies. Admission requirements, therefore, typically include not only higher-education entrance qualification but also the appropriate denomination. Teacher education programs may be offered at theological Hochschulen as well. Some theological Hochschulen are equivalent to universities, hence they are entitled to confer doctoral degrees.

The characteristic feature of pädagogische Hochschulen is teacher training. There, students are enabled to work as teachers at primary schools, secondary schools, secondary modern schools, comprehensive schools and special schools. Upper secondary school teacher education as well as vocational school teacher education is carried out in cooperation between pädagogische Hochschulen and universities/universities of applied sciences. In addition to teaching-related study courses, the scope of studies offered at universities of teacher education also includes some courses that are not related to teaching. In Germany universities of teacher education exclusively exist in Baden Wuerttemberg. Since they are equivalent to universities, they have the right to grant doctoral degrees and habilitation.

Berufsakademien are universities of cooperative education, which only provide dual courses of study. As is customary with dual study courses, studies alternate between theoretical and practical phases. While the theoretical part is conducted at the relevant Berufsakademie, the practical part takes place at a company. In most cases, prerequisite to take part in a three-year Bachelor degree program at a Berufsakademie is general or subject-related higher-education entrance qualification, on the one hand, and a training contract with the partnership company, on the other. The Bachelor’s thesis is written in coordination with the Berufsakademie and the cooperation company. The advantage of studying at a Berufsakademie is that upon completion of studies students have several years of professional experience. The downside is that larger companies, in particular, tend to allocate vacant management positions to graduates of universities or Hochschulen.