Types of higher education institutions
Universität – institution that offers academic courses on all the three levels
Types of universities:
Technische Universität/Hochschule - university offering technical courses
Pädagogische Hochschule - university offering pedagogical courses
Gesamthochschule - institution associating more types of universities
Fachhochschule - 3-4 years studies in technical and economic courses leading to
Diplom (FH). Courses are more specialized and professionaly oriented.
Kunsthochschule - professionaly oriented courses. Graduates become professional
artists or teachers of art courses.
Structure of university studies
Academic year in Germany starts in October and ends in July. The language of instructions
is German, some postgraduate courses are instructed in English.
1st level - Grundstudium
at least 2 years full-time study leading to Vordiplom
2nd level - Hauptstudium
2 - 4 years full-time study leading to Diplom (in technical and economic courses) or
Magister Artium (M.A. - in humanities)
State examinations (Staatsexamen) are taken in subjects which enable graduates to take
positions in the civil service of Germany (teachers, judges) or in state-supervised
professions (physicians, lawyers, pharmacists)
3rd level – Aufbaustudium/Ergänzungstudium (available only at
universities)
1 - 2 more years full-time study and research leading to Doctorate (Dr. title)
Application procedures
- all foreign students are urged to apply directly to the universities
- admission to certain degree courses is arranged by the Central Admission Office
(Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen); contact the foreign student office
at your chosen university to inquire whether your chosen discipline is subject to the
central admission procedure
- proof of German proficiency is required
- there are no admission tests for undergraduate studies, students are selected according
to their secondary school records; certificate documenting that student has passed
university qualification examinations in his home-coutry or Feststellungsprüfung may be
required
- students applying for the following courses must take the admission tests: medicine,
dentistry, veterinary medicine; for these courses students must apply through the
Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplatzen - admission tests (Medic-Test) are held
on September 15
- admission tests may be required when applying for some doctoral courses
- deadline for the applications is July 15 for the winter semester and January 15 for the
summmer semester
- student who has spent part of his/her studies at a university outside Germany can ask
for transfer of credits
Important addresses
Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplatzen (ZVS)
Sonnenstrasse
D-44128
Dortmund
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)
Kennedyallee 50
D-53175
Bonn
tel. +49 (228) 882-0
fax. +49 (228) 882-444
e-mail: postmaster@daad.de
Goethe-Institut
Zentralverwaltung
Helene-Weber-Allee 1
Postfach 19 04 19
D-80604 München
Tel.: (089) 15921-0
Telefax: (089) 15921-450
Telex: 522 940
Useful publications
title: Aufbaustudiengänge an Hochschulen in Deutschland
published: DAAD, 1995
title: Leben und Studieren in Deutschland
published: DAAD 1996
title: Studium in Deutschland - Informationen für Ausländer über das Studium an
deutschen Universitäten
published: DAAD, 1997
title: Studium in Deutschland - Informationen für Ausländer über das Studium an
deutschen Fachhochshulen
published: DAAD 1996
title: Studium und Forschung in Deutschland - Förderungsmöglichkeiten für ausländische
Hochschulangehörige
published: DAAD, 1997
Internet addresses
http://www.daad.org/daad.htm - information
on education, programes DAAD
http://wooly.postech.ac.kr/www/university/de.html
- universities' programes
http://www.goethe.de - Goethe Institut