The ins and outs of the German education system

The education system in Germany has many different levels. Depending on where you will be starting your studies, this could be interesting to know. Initially the primary education is explained first. Within the first 10 years, a student may start (optionally) in kindergarten when they are between 3 and 5 years old. Afterwards they will progress to Grundschule until they are 10.

By the time they are 10 years old, they have the choice to choose one of 4 school types, which will take them from their primary schooling to an advanced schooling education track. At this age it is fairly young to know how to determine your future, however the German education system does use certain criteria to help select those for whichever track. Those students who are performing more academically will more likely have the chance to move onto the Gymnasium trackthan someone who doesn’t have such a good track record. The student can choose between Hauptschule, Realschule, Gesamtschule or Gymnasium. Only with the Gymnasium track can the student progress onto university education.

Students who choose the Hauptschule will move onto Berufsschule and On-the-job Training, which is a dual system of vocational education. The last level of education they will have is a qualification of vocational further education from a Fachschule.  Students who choose Realschule will split their education for either Berufsfachschule or Fachoberschule. Those that wish to go further with their studies, can only do so at an Abendgymnasium/Kolleg for an Allgemeine Hochschulreife. Those who choose Gesamtschule will move onto Berufsoberschule. With a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife, they will be able to further their education in a Berufsakademie. Lastly, those students who choose Gymnasium will move onto the Gymnasiale Oberstufe where there are further different school types: Gymnasium, Berufliches Gymnasium/Fachgymnasium and Gesamtschule and end with an Allgemeine Hochschulreife. They will be able to further their education in the Berufsakademie, like those who studied in the Gesamtschule.

As you can see the German education system is a little complicated. Overall it provides a structure to the education offerings for Germans.