10/3/0
The analogue of domestic universities in Germany are state higher educational institutions that have university status. First of all, these are the universities themselves (Universitaeten), higher medical, pedagogical and theological educational institutions, as well as art schools (Kunsthochschulen). There are also comprehensive universities (Gesamthochschulen) equated to universities. They combine both academic and applied training programs. The non-academic sector of German higher education is the specialized higher educational institutions (Fachhochschulen), which provide applied training.
Accordingly, graduates of German universities with university status are awarded academic degrees: first a diplom (Diplom-Ingenieur, Diplom-Mathematiker for those who completed the basic course in engineering, economics, and natural sciences and mathematics) or a master's degree (Magister Artium for those who studied humanities), then after completing an additional cycle of study, a doctorate (Doktor – abbreviated Dr. phil., Dr. jur., Dr. med.). It should also be noted that in recent years, German universities have actively begun to offer training under the American bachelor's (Bachelor) and master's (Master) programs. As for graduates of specialized higher educational institutions, they are awarded only a diploma indicating the type of institution (Diplom FH). If they want a university diploma, they must continue their studies at the senior level of a university (this is allowed in many states).
Types of German universities
In the modern German higher education system, there are three types of universities. The first are the classical 'old' universities, whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. These include Heidelberg University, the universities in Freiburg, Tübingen, and a number of other cities. Initially, they comprised only the faculties of philosophy, medicine, and theology. Over time, other fields of study were added, but these faculties remained leading.
The second type are universities that obtained their status through the transformation of technical and other specialized institutes. For example, the Higher Technical School in Hanover received the status of a technical university in 1968, and then in 1978 it was transformed into a university.
This group also includes technical universities (Technische Universitaeten) and higher technical schools (Technische Hochschulen) of equivalent status in Aachen and Darmstadt. The boundary between technical universities and regular universities is often conventional: for example, the University of Rostock has a technical faculty, while the Technical University Carolo-Wilhelmina in Braunschweig has departments of humanities and social sciences. However, in general, these universities have a somewhat limited set of faculties, offering training in technical, natural sciences, mathematics, economics, and medical specialties.
The third type of universities are those that emerged in the last 30-40 years at the peak of the rapid development of the higher education system in Germany. These include Ruhr University Bochum, the universities in Konstanz, Regensburg, Bielefeld, other new universities, and private institutions. All of them (perhaps with the exception of the University of Bochum) cannot compete with classical universities in terms of the diversity of fields of study. However, they conduct experiments in introducing modern teaching methods, and they often have campuses, which is generally not typical for German universities. Although only 0.1% of all university students study at six small private universities, all are state-recognized and are well-regarded in their fields. Tuition fees amount to about DM6.000 per semester.
Comprehensive Universities
Comprehensive universities exist in Duisburg, Essen, Wuppertal, Siegen, Paderborn, and Kassel. These institutions have integrated courses for the joint training of specialists in both applied and academic fields. Thus, comprehensive universities offer 'in one bottle' the programs of both universities and specialized institutions.
This works as follows. For example, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where there are the most institutions of this type, the so-called Y-model is adopted: in the basic stage (2 semesters), students follow a common program for the entire department, and in the specialization stage they are divided into two streams, one of which follows a shortened program (6 semesters), the other a full program (8 semesters). Both the short and full cycles conclude with final exams and a thesis defense. Graduates of the short cycle are awarded Diploma I, and those of the full cycle Diploma II, equivalent to a university degree.
By the way, the FernUniversität in Hagen is also a comprehensive university. This distance learning institution, with almost 44,000 students, offers training in the most in-demand specialties: law, economics, humanities, and social sciences. It has over 60 regional branches and three study centers in Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland.
Specialized Higher Educational Institutions
Fachhochschulen originated from engineering schools, analogous to our vocational schools. In 1976, they were incorporated into the higher education system. Gradually their level rose: along with training specialists, they began to conduct applied research, and requirements for the faculty increased. Currently, about a quarter of all students study at Fachhochschulen. These institutions train specialists in 120 profiles: engineers, economists, designers, and professionals in other fields. Some – for example, the economic institute in Reutlingen – are rated even higher than some universities.
Most specialized higher education institutions are small – from one to five thousand students. Therefore, Fachhochschulen are not as overcrowded as large universities. Classes are conducted with 25-30 students. Only for the most prestigious specialties (for example, business economics) can seminars have fifty or more participants.
The main emphasis is on practical aspects. The teaching staff is selected accordingly – these are professors of categories C2 and C3 with extensive professional experience (at least 5 years). The applied nature of training is also achieved through the introduction of semesters of industrial internship (by the way, foreign students can complete it in their home country). The topics of term papers and diploma theses are closely related to practical tasks. Many students carry out their work under contracts with enterprises.
Each semester ends with an examination session, and the entire cycle of study ends with passing diploma exams. Graduates are awarded the degree of certified specialist with an indication of the type of institution (Diplom FH). Some institutions of this type, for example, the Special Higher School of Translators in Magdeburg, also train bachelors. Note that the same requirements are imposed on foreigners entering a Fachhochschule as for entering a university.
Which university is better?
According to rankings, it is preferable to study technical disciplines in Aachen, Karlsruhe, Darmstadt, and Munich. Economics is better taught in Mannheim, Munich, and Cologne. Those aiming to study law should go to Passau, Freiburg, Heidelberg, or Münster.
As for private universities, the University of Witten/Herdecke specializes in medicine, economics, and natural sciences. Three other private institutions – the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences for Business Management, the European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel, and the Berlin School of Economics and Law – are focused on training specialists for work in international markets.
When choosing a university, remember that many of them are overcrowded. On average, there are two students per study place in German universities. Classical universities are more overloaded than 'new' ones. A typical picture for them is classrooms so overcrowded that some students have to watch the lecture via video broadcast in an adjacent room. Of course, their students cannot count on close contact with teachers and mentoring, there are fewer opportunities to participate in student research, and long queues at libraries.
The greatest inconvenience is experienced by students studying in the most popular fields of study with limited admission and strict quotas for foreigners – architecture, medicine, pharmacy, psychology, biology, computer science, economics, and law. On the corresponding faculties of universities in Aachen, Bremen, Bonn, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Göttingen, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Cologne, Marburg, Munich, Münster, Tübingen, and Würzburg, overloads are most noticeable. Study conditions in Bamberg, Clausthal, Flensburg, Duisburg, Greifswald, Ilmenau, Kaiserslautern, Halle-Wittenberg, and Trier are somewhat better.
In the eastern states, universities are less crowded. The study conditions and academic atmosphere are more favorable, students find more support from teachers, which also affects the duration of studies. However, a problem for many universities is outdated equipment, and teaching buildings and dormitories that do not meet international standards.
Foreign students feel more comfortable at universities where there are many students from abroad. Among them are the Berlin School of Economics and Law, the International University in Zittau, the Viadrina University in Frankfurt an der Oder. Many foreign students study in Berlin, Clausthal, Heidelberg, Frankfurt am Main, Aachen.