Facts about the German education system

By Thanh Vân - August 07, 2022

Germany has been among the most popular destinations for international students for years! It offers an efficient educational system, some of the best universities in the world, and low or no tuition fees at all! Let's check out some of the most interesting facts about this country's schools and colleges.

Use a 6 – mark scale

The score scale in Germany is similar to that in the US, however, they use numbers instead of letters, and the evaluation criteria are placed in the opposite order as well. For example, the highest score in Germany is actually 1.0, instead of 4.0 as people usually think!

The score scale in Germany is calculated as follows:

1.0-1.5: Very Good (Sehr Gut)

1.51-2.5: Good (Gut)

2.51-3.5: Satisfied (Befriedigend)

3.51-4.0: Qualified (Ausreichend)

4.01-6.0: Unqualified (Nicht Ausreichend)

Three-class educational system

At the age of only 10, each child has to choose one of three educational tracks: (1) Gymnasium for bright students headed for college, (2) Realschule for the next step down, kids headed for average or better white-collar positions such as salespeople, nurses and secretaries, and (3) Hauptschule for the bottom tier, generally aimed at the trades and blue-collar jobs. There is also another track called Gesamtschule, which combines the three school types into a comprehensive school that is similar to an American high school. However, only some German states have this kind of curriculum.

Compared to how it used to be, nowadays, it has become much easier for students to switch between these different tracks.

Homeschooling is illegal

Germans have always believed that education plays an important role in society. Therefore, every German kid aged 6 to 15 years must attend school by law. A school day in Germany occurs from 4 to 5 hours (starting at 7:30 am and finishing at 1:30 pm). Therefore, parents can teach their children at home for the rest of the time if they want.

There are no school buses or substitute teachers

While school buses have become usual for American cities, they are rare in Germany and available in some rural areas only. It is more common for students to use public transportation or walk to their schools.

There are also no substitute teachers as well. If a teacher is absent, there is no class that day, or the class is taught by a colleague who has a free period. Substitutes (Ersatzlehrer) are only hired for lengthy absences.

Various types of colleges

Universities (Universität) - Focus on science: Mainly teach theoretical knowledge and emphasize research. Universities normally offer a wide range of different subjects, but some have specialized and then call themselves technical universities (Technische Universität, TU) or colleges of education (Pädagogische Hochschule, PH).

Universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) - Focus on practice: have a practice-oriented academic approach, focusing more on professional application than on theory. In the practical phases, students at universities of applied sciences complete work placements, longer project phases or entire practical semesters, often in businesses.

Colleges of art and music (Kunsthochschule/Musikhochschule): train young artists such as musicians, architects, fine artists and designers. Admission requirements include a specific talent that applicants must demonstrate in an entrance examination.

Universities of cooperative education (Berufsschule): offer a dual study program that combines academic studies with vocational training or practical phases in a company.

And again, free college tuition!

In Germany, education is considered one of the important factors for the country's development. Therefore, university students will not have to pay tuition fees (except for only a few states) but they only have to pay for textbooks, housing or living if studying away from home. International students also have the opportunity to study at university for free or at a very low cost in Germany.

According to the German Academic Exchange Service, without tuition fees, international students studying in this country usually spend about 800 USD per month!