The eduaction system in Germany is what we will cover in this article. Continue reading.
The Education System in Germany
If you’re thinking about going to Germany to study, it’s important to understand the different levels of education available in the country and the various ways you can access them.
From vocational training programs and free open-access universities to world-class research institutions and competitive private universities, Germany has something for every academic level and learning style. Here’s an overview of the different types of education in Germany, from kindergarten through PhD.
Schooling in Germany
In Germany, education is divided into three parts: elementary school (grades 1 to 4), lower secondary school (grades 5 to 10), and upper secondary school (grades 11 and 12). In addition, a variety of educational options are available for adults.
The education system differs among states, but all states have laws mandating compulsory schooling until at least age 16. Education is a federal matter, although there are differences among states’ structures as well as teacher salaries and qualifications.
Education is free and compulsory between ages 6 and 18. In most states, education starts with a Grundschule (primary school), which consists of grades 1 to 4. Students then move on to a Hauptschule (grades 5 to 10) or a Realschule (grades 5 to 10). Both types of schools are comparable to middle schools.
German Curriculum
Students are required to attend school from age 6 through 16, or until they have completed a vocational or professional education. At that point, they have several options: they can enroll in an apprenticeship program (Duale Ausbildung) or continue on to higher education.
Since 2007, parents have been able to choose whether their children will receive an academic or a vocational education. In 2014, about 20% of German students were enrolled in academic schools, while 80% received vocational training.
The German school year consists of five terms, beginning with a three-week autumn term (September or October), followed by a winter term that lasts until Christmas, then spring and summer terms (both of which are usually six weeks long). Students typically receive one week off at Christmas and Easter. The school day is usually 7 hours long and usually runs from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, with an hour for lunch.
As students progress through school, their subjects become more advanced. At age 6, for example, students study reading and arithmetic (Grundschule). By 7th grade, they’re studying biology, chemistry and physics (Gymnasium). They usually have several breaks throughout the day that are devoted to physical education and lunch.
Career Academies
The German education system focuses on practical skills, so Career Academies are commonplace. These institutions combine traditional secondary education with vocational training and give students a taste of real-world application before they graduate.
In these academies, students learn for three to four hours a day, five days a week. The rest of their time is spent working at local businesses under professional mentors; aside from imparting practical skills to their students, these work placements also give businesses access to free labor.
After graduating from their Career Academy, students can choose to enter college and complete a bachelor’s degree program. If they don’t, they can either find a job or enroll in another Career Academy for further vocational training.
These programs are valued by German employers because they allow them to hire graduates who already have some practical experience and marketable skills.
Like their American counterparts, German students are required to complete a number of core classes as part of their academic curriculum.
These include classes like math, social studies, science and foreign language instruction. But unlike American high school students, who must also enroll in elective courses like art or physical education to graduate from high school, German students are not required to choose electives.
Studying Abroad
Most German students attend public schools, which are funded by the state. There are nine years of mandatory schooling from age 6 to age 14, when students graduate and begin attending a secondary school that they have been assigned to based on where they live. The final three years of high school focus on university preparatory classes as well as vocational training.
This year, more than 1.4 million students were enrolled at a German university. There are more than 4,000 universities, colleges and universities of applied sciences throughout Germany.
About a third of these institutions offer study programs taught exclusively in English and programs taught both in German and English. Education deutsch . Universities are responsible for their own budgets, which include tuition fees from undergraduate students studying there.
Conclusion
The educational system in Germany is considered one of the best in Europe. It has a history that dates back to 1807 when Prussia became a unified state under Kaiser Friedrich Wilhelm III, with compulsory education for both boys and girls between ages 10 and 15. Since then, other German states have gradually introduced mandatory education. In accordance with its foundation as a democratic country based on human rights, education has always been an important political focus for Germans.
