Compared with Hong Kong's education system, Germany's educational system is more complex, and the federal states also have different regulations. In general, the German government provides free compulsory education for domestic students over the age of 6, including secondary school courses up to 9 or 10 years. As for universities, German higher education is funded by the government, national university students are waived from tuition fees, and even in private universities, tuition levels are subject to government regulation.

preschool education

There is no compulsory child for preschool education in Germany. Children aged 3 to 6 are admitted to paid kindergartens (Kindergarten), although local governments provide funding, and teachers in kindergartens are required to pass specific courses and training.

Primary Education (Grundschule)

The German government stipulates that students over the age of 6 to enter the primary school (Grundschule) to receive compulsory education, there is no degree of primary school, the primary school curriculum throughout the country is the same. Primary school assignments are divided by region, and the school-age students in the same area are uniformly assigned to the same primary school, so students do not have to be admitted to the school entrance examination.

After four years of primary education, parents can decide on the appropriate middle school category according to their child's performance in school, independence and the teacher's advice, which directly affects the child's future education and development direction. However, with the reform of the local education system, it is easier for students to change their development path in middle school.

Middle school education

German public secondary schools (Weiterfuhrende Schulen) are divided into four categories according to the degree and direction of enrollment. The courses prepare students to go to university, career or major.

International students who wish to apply to a German secondary school must pay attention to the age and level restrictions. They must be 14 and have completed grade 8 (equal to Hong Kong secondary 2) and apply for grades 9 to 12 based on their grades and abilities. However, most of the last two-year courses in most liberal arts and science middle schools are the middle school graduation examination (Abitur) preparatory courses, so it may be influential to consider accepting enrolled students.

1. Liberal Arts and Science Middle School (Gymnasium)

Arts and Science Middle Schools are designed for students who aim to go to higher education with strong academic ability. The courses is about 8 to 9 years to train students to take the middle school Graduation Examination (Abitur) to assist them in university admission (Hochschulreife) and focus on subject study, similar to Hong Kong Grammar Middle School. Students' middle school graduation examination and Hong Kong diploma test meet, scores and grades directly affect whether students can get the desired university and subjects.

Most international students who intend to continue to study in Germany choose to study in such schools, complete the high school courses of 3 to 4 years before applying for the middle school graduation examination, and go to local universities.

2. Practical Junior High School (Realschule)

It is for middle level students, second only to arts and science middle schools, to cultivate students to obtain vocational school admission qualifications. The course is shorter than Grammar Middle school, with students studying up to grade 10 and passing the middle level exam (Mittlere Reife) to obtain a high school diploma (Realschulabschluss). Graduates can choose to go to a specialized arts and science high school or a general liberal arts and science high school, complete the remaining two to three years of high school courses, or go to a vocational school or serve an apprenticeship.

3. Vocational Preparatory Secondary School (Hauptschule)

The course is mainly aimed at students with low academic ability, providing 5-year basic general education and vocational advance education. Students who pass the final examination in grade 9 can pass the middle school diploma (Hauptschulabschluss). Graduates generally choose to go to vocational and technical schools (Berufsschule / Berufsausbildung), learn professional skills or complete apprenticeship training, and later engage in handicraft or manufacturing.

4. Comprehensive Middle School (Gesamtschule)

The curriculum combines the elements of liberal arts and science, practical college and vocational preparatory schools. The goal is to provide a variety of curriculum content, suitable teaching environment and equal learning opportunities, so that students can fully develop, understand their personal strengths and interests, and avoid prematurely classifying students or deciding their learning model. Therefore, students can choose to go forward to liberal arts and science high schools, or transfer to vocational schools and other professional training courses.

Campus

German universities are divided into three categories by professional disciplines. There are more than 400 state-recognized universities in nearly 170 locations, providing a wide range of learning and research opportunities and more than 19,000 professional courses.

1. Comprehensive University (Universtat)

Provide traditional culture and professional disciplines, the highest degree is a doctorate degree. The courses are divided into different schools according to the research field to cultivate professional ability and emphasize theoretical knowledge. Graduates usually have strong independent work and research ability.

2. University of Applied Science and Technology (Fachhochschule)

It provides courses linked to occupation, which are based on science and oriented by practical application, such as technology, economics, social work or medicine, and the highest degree is a master's degree. In addition to mastering the necessary professional theoretical knowledge, the graduates also have the practical ability.

3. Faculty of Arts, Film and Music (Kunst-, Film-und Musikhochschulen)

Providing professional disciplines in the fields of visual arts, design, performing arts, film and television, music and fine arts, advocating the development of personality and creative freedom to maximize the cultivation and development of individual creativity.

German universities are dominated by national universities, accounting for about three-quarters of the total. National universities generally do not charge students for the first bachelor's program (Erststudium) and master's programs, and private universities are also regulated by the government at about 9,500 to 15,000 euros (HK $800 to HK $126,000) a year.

Since the German government focuses on personnel training, most universities will also cooperate with enterprises to provide internship opportunities related to major subjects to students, and the employment rate of graduates is 85%. Foreign students to study in Germany, normally as long as they meet the requirements of specific grades and German level (German level of C1, equal to the native tongue level), can enjoy the same benefits as local students, in most national colleges do not need to pay tuition fees.

Basic requirements for DSE students in Germany:

Hong Kong Diploma test scores: 4 main subjects and 2 elective subjects at least grade 3 or above

Chinese ability: German degree C1 can be directly promoted to university, otherwise you must get A2 and apply for preparatory college

Estimated cost: 60,000-80,000 euros (including preparatory college tuition and living expenses)