System of University Education in Germany

Germany has a long tradition in education, science and research and the history of many higher education institutions extends back over many centuries. Following the destruction caused by the second world war, an education and research has evolved in Germany which, particularly after Germany unification is as extensive today as never been before.

Germany university education is characterised by particular variety and versatility and at present there are over 255 state and state recognised higher education institutions of university status divided into three main categories.¹⁶³

i. Universities and equivalent higher education institutions such as technical universities (Technische Universitäten), comprehensive universities (Universitäten-Gesamthochschulen), and specialised institutions at university level for specific disciplines such as medicine, education, sport, administration, philosophy, and theology.

ii. Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences) iii. Colleges of art and music

2.5.1.1 Universities and Equivalent Higher Education Institutions

The traditional university concept in Germany dates back to Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835).¹⁶⁴ His principle of the ‘indivisibility of research and teaching’ has prevailed

163 These categories could be in a broad sense be referred to as universities since they all offer degree certificates which however have different implication in as far as further education is concerned. This classification is however unique to Germany and differs from that of U.S.A and Britain. Those who attain degree in institutions other than the Fachhochschulen can proceed for doctorate studies. Since 1998 following change in the federal law many German universities have introduced Bachelor and Masters programmes as in the Anglo-American model

164 Wilhelm von Humboldt was a leading educational reformer in Germany. He came up with the principle that teaching and research should go together. His educational ideals are still felt in Germany today although his basic principles on education have been overtaken by the Anglo-American tradition even in Germany itself. He founded the Berlin University in 1810 which was later named after him by the Russians

whereby Germany universities are not merely institutions, which provide education and training but are also places which independent, pure and applied research is pursued. In the traditional university pure education and science demands the students to engage in strict academic work. Consequently the length of studies is higher than in many other countries. For admission into this type of university requires students to have passed the Abitur an examination after 13 years of consecutive primary and secondary school education. These institutions award academic degrees of Diplom, Magister Artium, as well as doctorates, after four to six years depending on the field of study. They have also the right to confer Habilitation, the professional qualification to teach in a university and can qualify university professors. Such degrees, Magister Artium or Diploma are equivalent to British or American masters degrees. University faculties incorporate the following fields of study: medicine, science, engineering, arts and humanities, law, theology, economics and social science as well as agriculture and forestry. Examples of this type of universities are Karlsruhe, Tübigen, Humboldt University (Berlin) and Bremen.

Technical universities as the name suggests restrict their teaching to technical and engineering disciplines. Examples of these are Darmstadt and Clausthal. On the other hand the comprehensive university could be seen as a combination of the traditional concept of the university and other institutions such as a technical university, a Fachhochschule, and a college of art and music or even with a teacher training college.

Therefore comprehensive universities combine engineering and science on both Universität and Fachhochschule level (i.e. theoretical and applied level) as well as arts and humanities. This is a relatively recent development dating back to the 1970s. They offer two types of degree programmes, which take a minimum of seven to nine semesters.

The degrees awarded after completing the seven semesters is equivalent to that issued by Fachhochschule while those awarded for successful completion of nine semester programmes is identical to the traditional university degree and with it one can do a doctoral degree. Examples of these are comprehensive universities of Kassel, Essen, Paderborn, Duisburg, and Wuppertal

Germany has a number of universities, which focus on very specific subject areas such as the school of medical and veterinary science in Hanover, or the medical university in Lübeck as well as the Deutsche Sporthochschule (college of physical education) in Cologne.

2.5.1.2 Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences)

The establishment of Fachholschulen is a result of the educational policy debates held in the 60s. The need to help Germany maintain its competitiveness in the international field led to increasing demand for better qualified personnel with the capacity to solve practical tasks quickly and successfully on the basis of academic training. This demand formed the starting point for the Fachhochschulen. Therefore the Fachhochschule have the task of providing students with practical training on academic or artistic basis. Degree programmes and teaching at Fachhochschulen are therefore strongly oriented towards vocational training and the practical requirements of working life.

Fachhochschulen were established on the basis of institutions, which in most cases earlier only offered professional training in individual subjects and with no particular academic claim; such institutions were for example engineering schools, or advanced business colleges. A decree issued by the Ministers of Education and Culture of the Federal States¹⁶⁵ in 1969 and the Federal Framework Law on Higher Education, passed in 1976 raised the status of the Fachhochschulen to an equal standing with the universities and university-status institutions. Within the context of the laws passed by the federal states, the Fachhochschulen are also autonomous, meaning that freedom of teaching, research and academic self-administration are guaranteed rights.

The range of subjects offered by the Fachhochschulen comprises around 15 main subject areas, which in turn are also subdivided; engineering alone has 30 specialisations on offer. Other main subject areas are: business administration, industrial engineering, social

165 Competence for education and culture in the Federal Republic of Germany lies with the federal states, which are therefore responsible for the education system, including higher education. If any law is to be passed affecting the entire country different states have to agree through the Council of Ministers of Education and Culture, which brings together relevant ministers from different states.

services studies, design studies, computer and information science, mathematics, archive, documentation and library studies, nutrition and household management, agricultural and forestry science, building restoration, navigation and nautical science, as well as translation and interpretation. By offering such a range of subjects, the Fachhochschulen have become a fundamental pillar of German higher education. Around 440,000 students of which more than 24,000 are foreign students now study at the Fachhochschulen.

2.5.1.3 Colleges of Art and Music

This group is unique because it brings together institutions with artistic creation rather than academic work or academically based practical work. Admission to a college of art or music depends more on evidence of artistic ability and less on specific entrance qualification. At colleges of art the subjects of study include sculpture, stage design, glass blowing, the art of blacksmith, free graphics, applied graphics and painting. At the colleges of music all aspects of the discipline as well as in some colleges, the performing art (courses for singers, actors and dancers) are taught. The students in these institutions do either state examinations or college ones; state examinations are compulsory for those who want to become art and music teachers.

Since the revision of the Federal University Law in 1998, German universities have introduced Bachelor and Master Programmes along to the Anglo-American model.

Today, a lot of German universities offer these study programmes, leading to an internationally recognised degree such as Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science or master’s degrees. In this case it is only those with master’s degree who can pursue doctoral studies.