GERMANY. 1. Higher education in Germany

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1 GERMANY 1. Higher education in Germany The federal republic of Germany has 234 institutions for higher education. They are, as a rule, public institutions of the federal states. The federal states (or Länder) form the federal republic (or Bundesrepublik). The federal states are: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Schleswig- Holstein and Berlin. The latter has a special status. The federal government determines the general principles of higher education as well as research. It also determines and controls financial aid to students. The competence of the federal government is established by a special law, the so-called "Hochschulrahmengesetz" (or Federal Higher Education Framework Act). Each of the Länder has some competence as to higher education. One could say that, within the scope of higher education (established by the federal government), the Länder are actually in charge of most of higher education. Within the scope of the Framework Act they are sovereign with regard to higher education. Each Land therefore has its own laws and regulations. This has lead to vast differences in higher education between the Länder. It has also given rise to specific regional developments. This is the case for e.g. the "Universität - Gesamthochschule" in North Rhine-Westphalia and the "Technische Universität Hamburg-Harzburg". 2. Structure of higher education in Germany Higher education in Germany can be taken at three kinds of institutions. These are: - the scientific institutions - the academies of art and music - the Fachhochschulen or institutions for higher vocational training 3. Scientific institutions To the scientific institutions belong: S the Universities; and S the equivalent institutions of higher education. German universities are characterised by their traditional academic freedom. Selfgovernment allows each university to develop and provide courses according to its own strategy and needs. The latter is often determined by the region in which the university is located. Still, together with other universities they pursue a harmonisation of academic education. Recommendation can be submitted to the "Fakultätentage" (the Vlaamse Ingenieurskamer VIK - 14 December 1998 GERMANY- page 1

2 federal assembly of faculties). Those recommendations will be judged by the "Hochschulrektorenkonferenz" (conference of rectors). Important disciplines have a faculty assembly. The main fields of engineering studies too have a "Fakultätentag". Institutions of higher education equivalent to university are: - the Technical Universities (TU) (Technische Universität) - the Technical Colleges (TH) (Technische Hochschule) - The Universität-Gesamthochschule (U/GH) Universities as "Gesamthochschulen" were founded by 2 Länder at the beginning of the seventies. Those 2 states are: North Rhine-Westphalia and Hessen. Those 2 institutions for higher education are sometimes called "integrated institutions for higher education". The Gesamthochschule (Comprehensive Institute of Higher Education) is a combination or integration of existing institutions for higher education (university, Fachhochschule and teachers training). Gesamthochschulen provide "integrated" courses. Students can take the course of their choice at one of the three integrated institutions, without it leading to a degree. The choice of a degree is only made at the moment they take exams in the optional subject. This is called studying according to the "Y model" or "Y system". The university of Siegen is such a Gesamthochschule. Graduates of the technical - and general - secundary education are directly admitted to the Gesamthochschulen. The duration of studies at the U/GH of e.g. Siegen may take 7 to 9 semesters. The first and second year are basic training. The third year is the final year for those aiming at the so-called Diplom I (FH degree), or the first year of a more scientific studies leading to the Diplom II (FH-degree). Gesamthochschulen leading to the degree of Fachhochschul engineer are just one kind of institutions for engineers. In Germany they are still subject to discussion... The more common institutions for engineers are: 1. the Technische Hochschulen or Technische Universitäten (TH/TU); 2. the Fachhochschulen (FH). 4. Education of engineers at the TH/TU To be admitted to the TH/TU one must have the certificate of "general maturity" (Allgemeine Hochschulreife or Abitur) of secundary education (Gymnasium). Only for architects there is a numerus clausus. This is determined by the "Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen" in Dortmund. For each discipline a nominal duration of studies (Regelstudienzeit) is determined. It states in how much time a studies, including the final examinations, can be realised. Vlaamse Ingenieurskamer VIK - 14 December 1998 GERMANY- page 2

3 At universities this is usually 8 to 9 semesters. For medecine the nominal duration of studies is 6 years and 3 months. The real duration of studies often is longer than the nominal. Examples 1 : - For engineers in mechanics (Diplom U) the nominal duration is 9 semesters. The real duration is 13.3 semesters. - For engineers in chemistry (Diplom U): nominal: 10 semesters real: 12.8 semesters - Engineers in electricity (Diplom U): nominal: 9 semesters real: 12.7 semesters - Engineers in civil engineering (Diplom U): nominal: 9 semesters real: 13.7 semesters - Architect (Diplom U): nominal: 9 semesters real: 14 semesters In general, studies at institutions for higher education can be divided into: - a first part, the "Grundstudium". This is a basic education of about 4 semesters at universities and 3 to 4 semesters at Fachhochschulen. - a second part, the "Hauptstudium" or main studies, followed by a final examination. Depending on the discipline, the final exam is either a state examination (Staatsprüfung) or an examination organised by the institute itself (Hochschulprüfung). There are three kinds of examinations: - Diplomprüfungen (e.g. for technical-scientifical courses, socio-scientifical courses and natural science). - Magister examinations (e.g. for linguistic, cultural and economic sciences). - Promotions (doctor's degree). 1 Source: "Fachstudiendauer an Universitäten im Prüfungsjahr 1991". Vlaamse Ingenieurskamer VIK - 14 December 1998 GERMANY- page 3

4 Some "Technische Universitäten", such as e.g. the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) of Aachen give candidates for engineering studies an 8 weeks course in mathematics before the start of the first year. The curriculum of the "Grundstudium" (two weeks of basic training) consists of formal lectures, exercises and laboratory work. Higher mathematics, physics, mechanics, chemistry and materials science are focused. Students in architecture have less mathematics than e.g. future engineers in electricity. Note that the studies for architect also lead to the degree of Diplom-ingenieur. Besides, the basic study programme depends on the chosen discipline. The "Grundstudium" is completed by a "Vorexamen". Such a "Vorexamen" encompasses 10 individual examinations which can be taken during different examination periods. After the "Vorexamen" follows the "Hauptstudium". In this phase specific technical subjects are focused. The student also starts working at his thesis (Studienarbeit or Diplomarbeit). The thesis (project work) is usually carried out in industry, either in Germany or abroad. It is often realised in paid employment. Duration: 3 to 6 months. A practical traineeship in industry is also obligatory and has nothing to do with the project work. Practical traineeships are realised either before registering at the university or before the first part of the final examinations (Diplomprüfung). The final examinations encompass 5 to 10 partial examinations which can be spread over several examination periods. In short we can say that the duration of studies for the degree of Diplomingenieur is nominally 9 semesters (chemistry: 10), and effectively and on average 13 semesters, or from 4.5 years nominally to 6.5 years. Title: Engineers trained at the TH/TU have the title "Diplomingenieur (TH)" or "Diplomingenieur (TU)" or "Diplomingenieur (U)". Fachhochschul engineers can use the same title but the abbreviation (FH) is obligatory. So: "Diplomingenieur (FH)". Doctor's degree In Germany only universities are allowed to award the degree of doctor. A doctor's degree is focused on research. Normally one does not have to take a programme of courses. Most students taking a doctor's degree are part-time or full-time associated with a university (sometimes in industry). The duration is 3 to 5 years. The thesis work (Doktorarbeit) preceeds the oral examinations. In principle, only holders of the degree of Diplomingenieur, graduated at a TU/TH, are allowed to proceed to their doctor's degree. Nevertheless in recent years and on the initiative of the federal government, also holders of an FH degree were allowed. 14% of the engineers graduating from a Vlaamse Ingenieurskamer VIK - 14 December 1998 GERMANY- page 4

5 TU/TH proceed to their doctor's degree. "Dr.Ing.". The doctor's degree leads to the title Graduiertenkolleg University centres can also determine themselves the composition and development of their scientific staff for a specific discipline. Such specific research centres (founded since 1989) educate "Masters". They collaborate with other universities and with the industry, foreign as well as domestic. Such a centre is called "Graduiertenkolleg". Continuing education TUs, THs and universities provide a lot of possibilities for continuing education (Weiterbildung), usually offered as a modular system. New in this respect (since 1994) is the modular interdisciplinary programme of the TU Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH). Although still in an "experimental phase", one can obtain the degree of "bachelor" (Zwischendiplom) at the TUHH after 6 months. This corresponds with a one-cycle education in Belgium ("graduaat"). The programme of the TUHH mentions the possibility to obtain a "Master Dipl.-ing." (2 years of study following the bachelor's degree). There is a possibility to proceed to one's doctor's degree at the TUHH. The TUHH imitates herewith the English system for higher education. Examples of number of students 2 As an example we cite the student population at a number of TUs (1992 figures). Universität Aachen (RWTH): Total number of students: 35,000 Number of engineering students: 18,500 TU Berlin: Total number of students: 35,300 Number of engineering students: 14,600 Universität Dortmund: Total number of students: 21,000 Number of engineering students: 7,000 Universtät Hannover: Total number of students: 29,000 Number of engineering students: 8,400 Gesamthochschule Kassel: 2 Source: "Fachstudiendauer an Universitäten im Prüfungsjahr 1991". Vlaamse Ingenieurskamer VIK - 14 December 1998 GERMANY- page 5

6 Total number of students: 15,300 Number of engineering students: 5,200 Universität München: Total number of students: 20,300 Number of engineering students: 10,700 Gesamthochschule Siegen: Total number of students: 11,800 Number of engineering students: 2,600 Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg: Number of engineering students: 1, Education of engineers at Fachhochschulen (FH) The Fachhochschule differs from the Technische Universität in that education is more practically oriented. The TH/TU provides studies that are more in tune with fundamental sciences. THs/TUs and FHs have a kind of permanent love/hate relationship. Fachhochschulen did not use to be part of higher education. Since the time they do, they strive at a certain equivalence with the universities. They manage to attract a lot of students. The recent fact that FH graduates are, principally, allowed to proceed to their doctor's degree has resulted in a significant upgrading of the education. However, FHs do not have the possibility to do basic research or R & D. Thanks to the "Hochschulrahmengesetz" (in 1976) FHs obtained a legal status that is equal to that of the universities. In 1994 about 370,000 students took an education at a Fachhochschule. This corresponds to about 25% of the total number of students in Germany. 65% of the FH students, or about 200,000, took an education leading to FH engineer. About 70% of all engineers in Germany have graduated from an FH. A "Fachhochschulereife" (Certificate Secundary Education) gives access to the FH. A supplementary condition for admission to the FH (as well as the TUs) is the so-called "Gelenktes Praktikum". This means that the applicant must have worked in industry for 6 to 12 months after secundary education. Because of the excessive supply of students for the FH their number is limited and controled by the Central Office for Admission to Higher Education. Duration of studies The nominal duration (Regelstudienzeit) varies according to the discipline from 6 to 8 semesters (3 to 4 years). The real duration varies from 8 to 10 semesters (4 to 5 years). Examples Vlaamse Ingenieurskamer VIK - 14 December 1998 GERMANY- page 6

7 Engineer in electricity (Diplom FH): nominal: 6-8 semesters real (average): 8.7 semesters Engineer in civil engineering (Diplom FH): nominal: 6-8 semesters real (average): 9.3 semesters Architect (Diplom FH): nominal: 6-9 semesters real (average): 10.2 semesters The number of lecture hours (1 hour = 45 minutes) per week = 30. The basic programme (= 3 to 4 semesters) is followed by a main programme (3 to 4 semesters). The main programme includes 1 semester for practice. The studies are completed with a project work and the Diplom examination, leading to the degree of "Diplom-ingenieur (FH)". Examples of number of students 3 (1992 figures) Fachhochschule Aachen Total number of students: 10,100 Number of engineering students: 7,800 Technische Fachhochschule Berlin Total number of students: 7,700 Number of engineering students: 5,300 Fachhochschule Dortmund Total number of students: 8,200 Number of engineering students: 4,300 Fachhochschule Hannover Total number of students: 4,600 Number of engineering students: 4,400 Fachhochschule Köln Total number of students: 17,200 Number of engineering students: 9,500 Fachhochschule München Total number of students: 15,300 Number of engineering students: 9,500 3 Source: "Studenten an den Hochschulen (1993)". Editor: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Wissenschaft (8/94), Bonn. Vlaamse Ingenieurskamer VIK - 14 December 1998 GERMANY- page 7

8 Fachhochschule Padenborn Total number of students: 15,700 Number of engineering students: electricity and mechanics: 3,200 other ing. disciplines: 3,300 Fachhochschule Ulm Number of students (=total) ing.: 2, Where is the industrieel ingenieur situated? Here too the answer to the question is more than simply comparing a number of nominal years of study. For the Diplom-ingenieur (TU) this is nominally (average) 9 semesters. For the Diplom-ingenieur (FH): nominally (average) 7 semesters. For the industrieel ingenieur (ing.): nominally and effectively 8 semesters. For the burgerlijk ingenieur (ir): 10 semesters. On the basis of a contents analysis and a scientific approach of the education of industrieel ingenieur - also taking into account duration, project work and traineeship in industry - his education can be compared to that of the Diplom-ingenieur (TU/TH). Vlaamse Ingenieurskamer VIK - 14 December 1998 GERMANY- page 8