As a federal country with 16 states, Germany enjoys the so-called "Kulturhoheit" and is responsible for its own education policy. Despite the differences, the education systems of all federal states share a common basic structure.
Elementary basic education
The first stage of basic education in Germany is primary school. All children over 6 years old must go to school, which is compulsory and compulsory. Most of Germany has a four-year system, while Berlin and Brandenburg have a six-year system.
German pupils in most states will face the first turning point in their lives after the fourth grade, and they will be diverted to different middle schools. Which middle school they can go to depends largely on the recommendation letter from the teacher, which will be based on the students' grades. So it can be said that the competition in Germany started from primary school.
SekundarbereichI high school junior high school
The education stage after primary school graduation is mainly divided into four categories:
Hauptschule focuses on vocational education, emphasizing practicality and method operation;
Realschule focuses on the needs of higher vocational education in this direction and can choose to continue his studies;
Gymnasium can directly enter all kinds of higher education schools through high school graduation Abitur, whether it is vocational education system, technical colleges or universities.
Gesamtschule also has comprehensive middle schools in some states, which collect the above three forms together and get different diplomas for further study after graduation.
SekundarbereichII senior high school
This part mainly includes senior middle schools of arts and sciences and dual vocational education. In the senior grades of liberal arts middle schools, in addition to the Abitur diploma required to enter colleges and universities, various key disciplines related to majors are also offered to meet the needs of social work.
For example, high school Technischesgymnasium, which focuses on science and technology education, Wirtschaftsgymnasium, which focuses on economic field, and Berufsoberschule, a senior professional school. High school students can get a high school diploma from this school.
Tertiar bereich Higher Education
German higher education is familiar to our parents in China. Even at home, many students are ready to study in Germany in high school. These universities are mainly divided into three categories:
Universities such as Universitet focus on teaching and scientific research, emphasizing systematic theoretical knowledge. Such institutions can award undergraduate, master and doctoral degrees.
Universities such as Fachhochsule focus on practical and applied education, and students can get a diploma from Fachhochsule after four to five years of professional study.
Universities like Kunsthoch schule are specially designed for art students, including the Conservatory of Music, the Theatre Academy and the Film Academy.
Germany's education system is rigorous and diverse, taking care of every student's development as much as possible. Equality of opportunity is also an important concept of German education. Germany's perfect social security and strict tax system make educational opportunities spread all over German society. Whether it is factory employees or executives of large enterprises, children can enjoy the same right to education in Germany.
On the other hand, equality is reflected in the homogenization of German teaching. Although German universities are not in the forefront, they are all in the top 500. The average distribution of educational resources, even primary and secondary schools, there is no huge difference between the same type of schools.
High-quality academic level, homogeneous educational concept and advanced dual vocational education system make Germany's education system recognized by the world, which is also an important reason why Germany has become the third largest destination country for studying abroad in the world.