Below, you can read about the countries' and regions' education systems listed below. The information helps you to get a comprehensive view and general idea about different types of higher educations and how they are embedded into the whole national school system. The first link covers the newly implemented EU norm concerning higher education in the EU. Click on the flag or the excerpt if you would like to see a short summary of the so called Bologna system which is obligatory to inaugurate until 2010 in all the countries of the European Union.

EU - This section tells you more about the Bologna higher education system. According to this, after high school graduation the higher education will be divided into two levels. Bachelor studies(BA, BSc) and Master's studies (MA, MSc.) . More >>>

American - The educational structure of the United States is a very multi-level one. Students have the choice to go to several types of schools even before high school. Besides attending middle schools, students can go to various grammar schools and high schools, too. The American higher education is more or less similar to the divided education described at the EU section but. More >>>

Canadian - The vast majority of the Canadian system is parallel to the American type, especially in terms of admission processes. The main source of the differences may come from the diverse provincial responsibilities and regulations. But generally, you may find the same private and public schools even from Kindergarten. More >>>

English - The educational system in the United Kingdom follows the Bologna norms. The main difference and characteristics of the region is in its standardized tests. Although, international applicants can cope with different admission requirements because they use the UCAS system at their applications. . More >>>

Hungarian - Due to the inauguration of the Bologna system (March 2006) Hungary undergoes its third large educational reform from the early 90'. First, students went through a general curriculum, then the credit system was implemented and now bologna creeps in suddenly. The big advantage of studying in Hungary is the wide range of financial aid. Most levels of education from Kindergarten to university the tuition of the first degree is covered by the State. . More >>>

German- In Germany it is up to the provinces what type of education system the use. For example, elementary schools last for 4 year, generally. But in Berlin and Brandenburg it is 6 years. The palette of secondary education is very different, too according to various regions and specialties. Still there are four main types of high schools: Haupschule, Realschule, Gymnasium és Gesamtschule. After graduation the higher education now - after the reforms of year 1990 and 1998 - follows the EU norms. More >>>

French - The most characteristic feature of French education is their national language. Knowledge of French is almost a must everywhere in the country. The structure of education follows a standard path. Children from 6 to 11 go to primary schools ( Ecole Primaire) and obligatory studies last until the age of 16 when they finish high school (College). More >>>

Italian - The Italians have a diverse system with a lot of options and vocational opportunities. Students after the age of 11 ( Scuola Elementare) may choose professional trainings and schools. The secondary school that follows is - normally - divided into a 3-year lower level and a 5-year higher level studies. Finishing high school they receive the so called Diploma di Maturita after graduation. This is minimum requirement fot university entrance. More >>>

Spanish - After the educational reform in 1990 the primary school in Spain lasts for 6 years. After the further 2-year obligatory studies (ESO) students can graduate and obtain Graduado en Educación Secundaria Certificate. Once they've received this, they can go for their "Bacchilerato" studies until their age of 18. Without this Bacchilerato and the university entrance exam (Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad) they are not allowed to gain admission to higher education . More >>>

School education:

Primary education (Grundschule) lasts for four years in most Länder except Berlin and Brandenburg where it lasts for six years. The secondary school system (grades 5/7 to 12/13) in the Länder is divided in educational paths (depending on the Land) with the respective leaving certificates and qualifications for which different school types and/or school careers are responsible. All types of vocational schools (grade 10/11 onwards) offer the opportunity to acquire general education certificates. There are general secondary education schools, special schools for the physically or mentally handicapped within the system of general and vocational education, and full- or part-time vocational schools (10th/11th grade on). Four main types of general secondary schools covering compulsory schooling exist: Haupschule, Realschule, Gymnasium and Gesamtschule. Secondary education is compulsory and tuition is free. Textbooks and other school material are either free or lent out. From grade 10, pupils may obtain grants if no other financial sources exist. Types of schools differ according to Länder.

Higher education:

There are public and private state-recognized institutions of higher education categorized as: 1. universities (Universitäten) and equivalent higher education institutions (Technische Hochschulen/Technische Universitäten, Universitäten-Gesamthochschulen, Pädagogische Hochschulen); 2. Colleges of art and music (Kunsthochschulen and Musikhochschulen); 3. Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences) and Verwaltungsfachhochschulen and company training centres. Since the early 1990s, the structure of higher education study and the internal organization have been the subject of reform. This has involved a review of the standard periods of study and examination requirements and improvements in teaching and a separation of study aimed at preparing students for the practice of a profession and the qualification of a new generation of academics and scientists. One priority is to expand Fachhochschulen and consolidate applied research and technology transfer. Institutions of higher education will be granted further autonomy. Some Länder have already amended their laws on higher education accordingly. Following the adoption in 1998 of the Amendment to the Framework Act for Higher Education, further reform concerning the staff structure and recruitment requirements for professors was introduced through the Act's amendment in 2002. An alternative to institutions of higher education is provided by Berufsakademien. These professional academies have taken the principle of the dual system of vocational education and applied it to the tertiary sector. The qualifications they award are recognized as tertiary sector qualifications that fall under the EU directive on higher education degrees by a resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder of 29 September 1995.

Academic year:

Classes from: Oct to: Jul

Languages of instruction: German, English

Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level :

Non-university tertiary education is provided by the Höhere Fachschulen and Akademien. These institutions offer advanced technical courses to holders of the Abitur or Fachhochschulreife who have at least two years' practical training experience. Courses include periods of practical training and last three to four years. Successful completion of the courses leads to the award of a professional title in the student's specialization. The abbreviation grad is included on the certificate to indicate the practical emphasis of the course.Berufsakademien are established in 8 Länder. The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulsreife, fachgebundene Hochschulreife or Fachhochschulreife is required for admission, together with a training contract with a company. Students are registered to study by the company responsible for their training. The courses alternate periods of study with periods of on-the-job training. The first two years consist of basic studies followed by one year of advanced study. At the end of the course, students are awarded a qualification for entry to a profession, e.g. Diplom-Ingenieur in Engineering, Diplom-Betriebswirt in Business Management. The word Berufsakademie or the initials BA are added to this title to distinguish it from other forms of higher education Diplom.Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences) offer application-oriented study courses mainly in Engineering, Economics, Social Work, Public and legal Administration and Health and Therapy. A Diplomgrad (Diplom degree) is awarded after the Diplomprüfung (Diploma examination), e.g., Diplom-Ingenieur (FH). The initials "FH" are added to the Diplom degrees from Fachhochschulen. According to the Regelstudienzeit (guideline period defined for each programme of study), a degree programme at Fachhochschulen should be completed in 6/8 semesters (2 semesters = 1 academic year), practical semesters excluded/included. Success in the final academic examination usually qualifies the candidate for a particular profession. Some Fachhochschulen have adopted a similar approach to the Berufsakademien, particularly in Engineering and Business Management, and have introduced "courses of study combined with practice" (Studiengänge im Praxisverbund) also called "cooperative courses of study" (kooperative Studiengänge). The students have training or employment contracts. A Diplomgrad to which the word Fachhochschule is added is conferred upon completion. Fachhochschulen also confer Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

University level studies:

University level first stage : Grundstudium:

Stage I, or basic studies (Grundstudium), usually lasting four semesters (2 academic years) at universities culminate in an intermediate examination (Diplom-Vorprüfung, Zwischenprüfung). This examination gives the right to continue in Stage II (Hauptstudium). A degree is not awarded. Since 1998, a basic higher education degree, the Bachelor (or Baccalaureatus) has been introduced in universities and Fachhochschulen requiring a minimum of three years' study (maximum four years). It normally leads to a career.

University level second stage : Hauptstudium:

Stage II consists of more advanced studies (Hauptstudium) leading to the final degree examination. The Hauptstudium usually lasts for five more semesters and leads to the award of the Diplom. The Magister is awarded by universities, predominantly in the Arts, on the basis of the Magister examination. The course of study comprises either two equally weighed major subjects or a combination of one major and two minor subjects. As a first degree, the Magister is usually awarded as a Magister Artium/MA without specifying individual subjects. The Magistergrad can also be awarded at the end of one or two years' postgraduate studies following upon the acquisition of a first degree. Alongside this one-tier system, a two-tier system leading to a BA/BSc after three to four years and an MA/MSc after another one to two years has been recently introduced.

University level third stage : Promotion:

Doctoral studies are only pursued in universities (Universitäten).The period of doctoral studies, known as the Promotion, consists of two to four years' independent research and the submission of a thesis following the award of the Diplom/Erstes Staatsexamen/Magister Artium. The title of Doktor is conferred following upon a written thesis and either an oral examination or the defence of a thesis. The Habilitation is a post-doctoral qualification proving ability to teach and engage in research in an academic subject. It is awarded by the departments of universities and equivalent higher education institutions, usually on the basis of a post-doctoral thesis and a public lecture followed by a discussion. Following the amendment of the Framework Act for Higher Education in 2002, the Habilitation will be phased out as a recruitment requirement for professors.

Distance higher education

Distance learning courses are subject to approval - under the terms of Fernunterrichtsschutzgesetz (Correspondence Course Protective Law) - by the Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht der Länder der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Central office for distance learning). Approval procedure includes an examination of the teaching course objectives, advertising practices, and the form and content of the contract concluded between the course participants and the distance-learning institution. Courses leading to a Diplom and Magister are offered by the Fernuniversität Hagen, distance Fachhochschulen and a number of institutions. Distance learning associations have been set up at Fachhochschulen in a number of regions. In addition, the Akademiker-Gesellschaft für Erwachsenenfortbildung runs a Hochschule für Berufstätige, a private, state-recognized institution that offers higher education to those already in employment in Rendsburg and Stuttgart . It offers courses in Business Management, Industrial Engineering and Business Computing.

GERMAN GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: 1: sehr gut; 2: gut; 3: befriedigend; 4: ausreichend; 5: mangelhaft; 6: ungenügend. In the gymnasiale Oberstufe, marks equal points: 1 = 15 points; 2 = 12 points; 3 = 9 points; 4 = 6 points; 5 = 3 points; 6 = 0 points.

Highest on scale: 1; Pass/fail level: 4/5; Lowest on scale: 6

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: Marks: 1: sehr gut; 2: gut; 3: befriedigend; 4: ausreichend; 5: mangelhaft

Highest on scale: 1; Pass/fail level: 4/5; Lowest on scale: 5

Other main grading systems

Students are required to do oral and written work, practical work and receive course certificates (Scheine) needed to take the examination; this is the main performance assessment during the course.