Germany Education System and Requirements for Studying in Germany
The education system in Germany varies because the states create their own education policies. However, throughout the country, students between the ages of 6 and 9 receive primary school education and then continue to secondary school. In the German education system, secondary education is divided into two stages. The aim of lower secondary education is to provide students with basic education and prepare them for the next stage.
Germany is one of the top-performing countries in literacy, mathematics, and science, with students scoring an average of 515 on the PISA assessment test, above the OECD average of 497. Additionally, Germany has a less competitive education system compared to other OECD countries, leading to lower rates of bullying and higher levels of self-confidence in students. Since the 1990s, the goals of the German education system have included ensuring that schools adapt to technology and using up-to-date educational approaches.
What Types of Schools Are There in Germany?
The types of schools found in Germany are listed below.
- Kindergarten, Tageseltern and Kinderkrippe : These are the equivalent of pre-school education.
- Grundschule (primary school): Primary school covers the first 4 years. Only in Berlin and Brandenburg does primary school continue until the 6th grade.
- Weiterführende Schulen (secondary schools)
- Hauptschule : General school for grades 5 to 10.
- Realschule : Practical school for grades 5 to 10.
- Gymnasium : Academic school for grades 5 to 12-13.
- Gesamtschule : Art/vocational school for grades 5 to 12-13.
How Many Years is Compulsory Education in Germany?
In Germany, compulsory education begins at the age of 6, and is completed by completing a total of 9 years in Gymnasium and 10 years in other types of secondary school.
What are the stages of education in Germany?
The stages of education in Germany are listed below.
- Preschool Education
- Primary education
- Secondary education (secondary education)
- Tertiary education
- Continuing Education
What is the Education System Like in Germany?
In Germany, students start primary school at the age of 6. In addition to private and international schools that charge fees, most German schools are run by the state and do not charge any fees for education. The curriculum and course materials are not the same in every state of Germany. Children between the ages of 3 and 6 can start preschool education. After preschool education, compulsory education lasting nine or ten years begins. In the German education system, after the 4th grade, students choose one of the different secondary school systems according to their academic abilities, performance and family preferences. There are also private schools in Germany called Sonderschule or Förderschule.
Homework is given great importance in the German education system. Students, including primary school, spend about half an hour on homework every day. In Germany, students are tested and evaluated comprehensively at every stage of education. If a student does not receive the required minimum grade in two or more courses, they must repeat the entire year. The grading system scale in German schools is from 1 to 6. The highest score is 1, while the average score is between 2.0-3.5. The education system in Germany is quite different from the education system in Turkey in many ways, such as school types, grading and achievements.
What is the pre-school education system like in Germany?
Preschool education in Germany consists of optional education and care for children aged 0-6. German preschool education is largely provided by privately run daycare centres. Opening hours of preschools in Germany are planned jointly by parents and the management staff. Children usually receive 7 hours of childcare and care per day, including lunch and sometimes a lunch break.
The main mission of German preschool education for children under the age of 3 is to develop communication skills among children and to improve their language skills by enabling children to socially interact with adults. The German kindergarten education system for children aged 3-6 aims to improve the integration of children into daily life activities as well as to increase their teamwork skills. In German preschool institutions, children are constantly monitored by their educators regarding the gains they make from their learning activities rather than being evaluated in terms of academic success.
What is the Primary School Education System Like in Germany?
In Germany, children are required to attend primary and secondary education full-time after the age of 6 until they complete 9 years of education in Gymnasium and 10 years of education in other general education institutions. Lessons in German primary schools are usually 45 minutes long and a maximum of 6 lessons are given per day. The main purpose of German primary schools is to develop understanding, skills, talents and basic competencies among students. The curriculum consists of German, mathematics, foreign language (usually English), art, music, physical education, handicrafts/textile design, religion/ethics. In the German primary school education system, achievements are achieved by planning lessons in line with the students’ knowledge, curiosity and interests. In addition to private and international fee-based schools, the vast majority of primary schools in Germany are free and run by the state. In the German primary school education system, students are evaluated according to a 6-point grading system, with 1 being the highest score.
How are physical education lessons conducted in Germany?
In Germany, physical education classes vary between 2-5 hours per week, depending on the state. Physical education classes in Germany also cover some topics in social and natural sciences. Traffic rules for pedestrians and cyclists are also part of physical education classes in Germany.
What is High School Education Like in Germany?
In Germany, high school education is the second stage of secondary education, called Sekundarstufe II, which takes place after primary school. Upper secondary education is the education received by students who have completed the lower level of secondary education between the ages of 15 and 18 in order to enter university or gain vocational qualifications.
How Many Years Does High School Education Take in Germany?
High school education in Germany is 4 years in some states and 5 years in others.
What is University Education Like in Germany?
University education in Germany consists of three main types of universities: academic universities, universities of applied sciences, and universities of art, music, or film. There is no tuition fee for students, including international students, at Germany’s public universities. The academic year at German universities consists of two semesters: the winter semester from October to March and the summer semester from April to September. German universities, which have adopted the Humboldt theory of education, have a vision that emphasizes research and academic freedom.
In Germany, most education programs are conducted in German, but especially in universities of applied sciences, there are programs in English. Germany adopts the Bologna accreditation process in terms of degrees and grading system. Thus, university programs are standardized in line with other European countries. Student candidate visas for international students are obtained by those who want to study at German universities but have not yet received an acceptance from a university.
What is Specialist Training Like in Germany?
The main difference between specialized training in Germany and Turkey is that there is no master’s degree in the German higher education system. Normally, a person who has studied in Germany can apply to doctoral programs after university education. However, specially prepared master’s programs in Germany are open to applications from international students.
The documents that international students need to prepare to receive specialized training in Germany are; all past transcripts, passport and language proficiency documents. After obtaining a Germany master visa, these documents must be prepared completely for applications for specialized training in Germany.
What Are the Best Schools in Germany?
The best schools in Germany with international recognition are listed below.
- Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich
- Technical University of Munich
- University of Heidelberg
- Charité University Berlin
- Humboldt University Berlin
- University of Tuebingen
- Berlin Free University
- RWTH Aachen University
- University of Freiburg
- University of Bonn
What are the Institutions in Germany Where You Can Study Engineering?
Institutions where engineering education can be received in Germany are listed below.
- Technical University of Munich
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- University of Stuttgart
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- University of Erlangen Nuremberg
- Darmstadt University of Technology
Germany has the best universities in Europe for engineering education.
What are the Education Differences Between Germany and Türkiye?
When comparing the education systems in Germany and Turkey, the German and Turkish education systems are quite different from each other in terms of compulsory education period and secondary education structure. The compulsory education period, which is 9-10 years in Germany, has been increased to 12 years in Turkey with the 4+4+4 system. One of the differences in education between Germany and Turkey is the functioning of education. While students in Germany are guided according to their abilities, in Turkey, students are placed in schools based on their scores through a central exam. The differences in education between Germany and Turkey are most noticeable in the structure of secondary education. In Germany, there are more than one type of secondary education, each with two stages, established for different purposes.
The fact that state schools in Germany are free and that students and families have high academic success plays a major role in choosing German schools. Germany education consultancy institutions provide services for university, graduate and language school education in Germany.