Living in Germany - Educational Systems

The pre-school education sector consists of institutions for children aged from three to six, predominantly nursery schools, but also pre-school classes. Attendance at these institutions is normally voluntary but subject to a charge.

Compulsory school begins with Grundschule (primary school]) (Years 1 to 4) when a child reaches the age of six. Attendance at State schools is free of charge. Parents have to pay only for schoolbooks, additional teaching material and class excursions and trips.

After Grundschule parents and children decide which secondary school to go on to: Hauptschule (secondary lower school) (to Year 9 or 10), Realschule (intermediate school) (intermediate school-leaving certificate at the end of Year 10) or Gymnasium (grammar school) (ending with the Abitur (general certificate of education), which is given at the end of Year 12 or 13 and provides a right of access to college and university-level courses).

The Gesamtschule (comprehensive school) is a special form of school which offers several types of school under one roof from Year 5. Gesamtschulen do not exist in every Federal Land.

In Germany schools teaching hours are mainly between 07:00 and 13:00. The number of all-day schools or afternoon childcare provision has been far from adequate in recent years, but is now increasing.

Initial vocation training can be commenced at the end of compulsory schooling, that it to say normally from the age of 15. It is provided as full-time and part-time vocational instruction at vocational schools and in business which offer training within the 'dual system'. Training lasts between two and three and a half years. Young people can choose from among around 350 recognised apprenticable trades.

Germany has around 350 publicly funded or State recognised higher education establishments. You will find an overview of German higher education scene and the availability of courses at www.hochschulkompass.de.

Text last edited on: 11/2006

Source: European Union
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