Medical College in Germany in English

Germany - Education

Germany

Education

There are basically three types of higher education institutes in Germany, that is universities, universities of applied sciences ( Fachhochschulen), and colleges of art, music and film.

There are more than 330 institutions of higher education, out of which 117 are universities, 159 universities of applied sciences ( Fachhochschulen) and 56 colleges of music and fine arts. All these offer a wide range of interdisciplinary degree programs (10, 000), some of which also in English.

In order to be able to select the most suitable institution for you, it is of utmost importanceutmost importance that you know what your study objectives are. Before you go on, pause for a moment and ask yourself these questions, unless you have already done so:

• Is this a first or second degree?
• Do I want a special type of degree?
• Do I want to study for a few semesters only without a degree?
• Do I want to specialize or choose a general subject area?
• Do I want a more academic or practical program?
• Do I want to study in German or English?
• What would my monthly financial resources be?

By answering these questions you will narrow down your choice of institution and program. Read the following brief description of higher education institutes and check the links provided for more detailed information to find out which profile best suits yoursuits your targets.

If you hold a school leaving certificate (or equivalent) or a higher education entrance qualification and have the right to enroll at a university in your home country, then you are also allowed to take up a course of academic study in Germany as well. This will fall under the category of First Degree Studies, which means a complete programcomplete program that will be concluded with a German degree, such as Diplom, Magister or Staatsexamen.

Depending on your answers to the questions above, you will be able to find an appropriate degree course in your desired subject area. Just go to the following address, make your choice and search for those programs which correspond to your wishes: www.daad.de.

If you already hold a university degree awarded in your home country such as a Bachelor’s Degree and would like to take up a further course of academic study in Germany, you will have to look for Graduate Studies.

Here is a brief description of what universities, universities of applied sciences ( Fachhochschulen), and colleges of art, music and film are, the differences between them and what they offer.

German Universities

Universities are institutions which offer the complete range of academic subjects. Traditionally, they provide more academic and theoretical education and training, but also pursue research, according to the principle of the “indivisibility of research and teaching”. One consequence therefore, is a longer studying period thant in other countries.

German universities have developed into comprehensive institutions, with faculties, colleges and schools offering a broad range of interdisciplinary studies such as medicine, science, engineering, arts and humanities, law, theology, economics and social sciences, and agriculture and forestry. Along state-maintained institutions, there are also several private universities, which charge tuition of course, and some other universities maintained by different secular or religious institutions.

There are other institutions that have university status and offer programs and studies with a very specific focus. Some examples are the Deutsche Sporthochschule in Cologne which specializes in sport, the Kunsthochschule für Medien in Munich, which trains experts in art and media, or the Medizinische Hochschule und Tierärztliche Hochschule in Hanover with its schools of medical and veterinary science.

Tip: If you are considering a private university as an option too, carefully check and make sure that it is an accredited institution, i.e. the study itself and the degree are recognized by both the German and your home Education Ministry/Department. Although such a program may be very good, unless the university is accredited the degree will not be recognized on the labor market!

Universities award the academic degrees of Diplom and Magister Artium as well as the doctorate. They have the right to confer the habilitation, the professorial teaching qualification, and can qualify university professors. The new Higher Education Act (HRG) allows for new opportunities for completing degree courses with internationally compatible qualifications, i.. e. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.