As reported by Deutsche Welle, there are a total of 403 educational institutions in Germany that provide higher education. Over the past 20 years, their number has increased several times, mainly due to the emergence of new universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) and private institutions. Not only the number of universities is growing, but also the number of programs offered there. Today, you can choose from 19,000 specialties.
In 2017, 511,000 people enrolled in German universities. For the fifth time in a row, the number of first-year students exceeded half a million. Their average age has decreased in recent years and is now about 19 years old. Those who were not yet 18 at the time of enrollment account for less than 1 percent of German university students.
Interestingly, the proportion of students who start university after the age of 25 remains consistently high: about 14 percent. These are typically students in medicine and psychology. This is due to the fact that these specialties have a grade-based admission process, and many are not admitted on their first attempt.
The number of students dropping out also remains record high: currently, almost a third of all students. This rate is especially high among international students coming to German universities. However, many who drop out in Germany continue their studies in their home countries.
Nevertheless, German universities remain a real magnet for international students. Today, every fifth student at German universities is a foreigner. About 40 percent come for an exchange semester, about 30 percent want to obtain a bachelor's degree, more than a quarter are studying for a master's degree, and 3 percent are working on their dissertation.
In Germany, obtaining a bachelor's degree takes an average of seven and a half semesters. Studying for a bachelor's and subsequently a master's program will take an average of 12.3 semesters.
Graduates of higher education institutions have "very good chances of employment," as the authors of the report write. It should be noted that over the past ten years there have been no major structural changes: more than 40 percent of graduates complete law, economics, and sociology faculties. 34 percent of graduates have degrees in "MINT specialties" – in Germany, the MINT group includes mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and engineering. This is a very high rate compared to other European countries, which cannot but please Germany.
University degree holders earn on average more than specialists with vocational education: hourly wages in the first case are eight to nine euros higher. Among German university graduates, there are fewer unemployed. The unemployment rate among specialists with higher education is just over two percent. Currently, the average unemployment rate in the country is almost twice as high.
The idea that higher education hinders employment, according to the authors of the study, is not confirmed in real life. Both bachelor's and master's graduates are in demand on the labor market. However, things are more difficult for bachelor's graduates: only a third work in their field. Scientists explain this by high competition from master's degree holders.
Education is beneficial for everyone: for each individual and for the state as a whole. Educated men and women are better integrated into society, earn more, participate more actively in political and social processes, eat healthier food, and are happier. This is the conclusion reached by scientists. Among the population with incomplete secondary education, there are more smokers and lovers of unhealthy food.