15 - Germany - Certification

Certification at universities

First, consecutive and other special graduate degrees

With regard to higher education degrees, a distinction is drawn between academic, state and ecclesiastical examinations. As a rule, a higher education qualification for a profession is conferred on the basis of these examinations. Higher education degrees are not awarded on the basis of intermediate examinations in Germany.

Institutions of higher education are authorised by law to administer Hochschulprüfungen (academic examinations). In the customary graduation system, a first academic degree is conferred on the basis of the following two kinds of academic examinations:

• Diplomprüfung (leading to the award of the Diplomgrad, bestowing such titles as, for example, Diplom-Psychologe –graduate psychologist)
• Magisterprüfung (leading to the award of the Magistergrad, bestowing the title of Magister Artium– M.A.).

Whereas courses of studies that culminate in a Diplom concentrate on a single subject, those that lead to a Magisterdegree admit a combination of several subjects (usually one major subject and two minor subjects, or two equally weighted major subjects).

Since the amendment to the Framework Act for Higher Education (Hochschulrahmengesetz) of 1998, higher education institutions are also entitled to award Bachelor's or Master's degrees independently of any cooperation with a foreign institution of higher education. Generally, the new graduation system introduced is to replace the customary graduation system until 2010. In the 2005/2006 winter semester, 45 per cent of all study offers at German institutions of higher educations are Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses.

Bachelor's study courses provide the academic foundation, methodological skills and qualifications related to the professional field and lead to the Bachelor’s degree. Master’s study courses are differentiated by the profile types "more practice-oriented" and "more research-oriented". They require a first degree qualifying for entry into a profession and lead to the Master’s degree. In designating Master’s degrees, no distinction is made between the profile types "more practice-oriented" and "more research-oriented". The Bachelor’s degree provides the same rights as Diplomqualifications obtained at a Fachhochschule. The Master’s degree provides the same rights as Diplomand Magisterqualifications of universities and equivalent higher education institutions.

The following designations are used for Bachelor’s and consecutive Master’s degrees at universities:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
• Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Master of Science (M.Sc.)
• Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
• Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Universities and equivalent institutions of higher education should add a diploma supplement to the leaving certificate of the Diplomand Magisterstudy courses, as well as to the Bachelor/Master study courses, that describes, usually in English, the progress of the studies and the performance of the graduate. From 2005, degree holders are to automatically receive the Diploma Supplementat no extra charge.

A state examination or Staatsprüfunghas to be taken in some courses of studies that prepare students for professions of particular importance to the public interest. This is the case in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutics, food chemistry, law and the teaching profession. The standards of performance on state examinations correspond to those on academic examinations. Hence, the difference between state and academic examinations is essentially of a formal nature. In the case of state examinations, representatives of the state examination bodies act as examiners along with university professors. After the First State Examination, prospective lawyers and teachers, in particular, undergo a second phase of training called Vorbereitungsdienst or preparatory service, which is concluded by another state examination. Only this Second State Examination entitles them to practise their profession.

In June 2005, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs ( Kultusministerkonferenz) passed guidelines for the mutual recognition of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in teacher training courses conveying the educational prerequisites for teaching positions ( Eckpunkte für die gegenseitige Anerkennung von Bachelor- und Masterabschlüssen in Studiengängen, mit denen die Bildungsvoraussetzungen für ein Lehramt vermittelt werden). The guidelines specify that educational careers based on Bachelor’s and Master’s structures in teacher training will be acceptable and their degrees accredited if they meet certain requirements. In 2005, the Standing Conference developed a relevant addition to the structural requirements of the Länder for the introduction of Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses. Insofar as such courses are introduced, the degree designations for Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses conveying the educational requirements for teaching positions are:

• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
• Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The Länder decide whether the present study structure with the Staatsexamenqualification is to be maintained or whether there is to be a transition to the consecutive study system. In several Länder, consecutive study courses have already been introduced in teacher training. The qualifications obtained by successfully attending these new teacher study courses are mutually acknowledged by the Länder if they meet the standards agreed upon by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder.

Ecclesiastical examinations are held within the subject of theology and correspond to a certain extent to the state examinations.

In addition to consecutive Master's study courses, there are other weiterführende Studiengänge (special graduate study courses) which may be taken after the completion of a first degree. These special graduate courses of two to four semesters’ duration lead to the awarding of a certificate stipulating the level achieved or to a further higher education degree ( Diplom, Magister, Master).

On the basis of agreements with a foreign institution of higher education, some universities also award a foreign degree (double degree and joint degree) in addition to the German degree.

Doctoral studies

Admittance to doctoral studies is regulated in the department regulations ( Promotionsordnungen) of the universities. Following successful completion of a first degree course of studies concluding in the Magister, Diplomor Staatsexamenas well as following the award of a Master’s degree, with the achievement of a certain level of academic performance a doctorate may be embarked upon, a process termed Promotion. Particularly well-qualified holders of a Bachelor’s degree can also be admitted to doctoral studies without first acquiring a further degree if they have successfully undergone a procedure to assess their suitability for doctoral studies.

Particularly well-qualified holders of a Diplomobtained at a Fachhochschulecan also be admitted to doctoral studies without first acquiring a further degree if they have successfully undergone a procedure to assess their suitability for doctoral studies. The universities, if necessary, in cooperation with the Fachhochschulen, regulate admission and the organisation of the aptitude test in their Promotionsordnungen. In addition to their respective qualification, students are required to complete preparatory academic studies in the subjects to be studied at doctorate level and/or a supplementary period of study at the university in question or have to sit an aptitude test ( Promotionseignungsprüfung). For Bachelor's and Master's degrees obtained at Fachhochschulen, the same regulations apply with regard to admission to doctoral studies as for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees obtained at universities or equivalent institutions of higher education.

A doctorate is conferred on the strength of a doctoral thesis, which must be based on independent research, and oral examinations called Rigorosum. Oral examinations may be replaced by a defence of the student's thesis ( Disputation). With the exception of structured programmes for doctoral students, a doctoral thesis need not be written within any prescribed length of time. The doctorate entitles a graduate to bear the Doktorgrad (title of Doktor).

Institutions:
Ständige Konferenz der Kultusminister der Länder in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (KMK)
Lennéstraße 6 53113 Bonn Berliner Büro: Markgrafenstr. 37 10117 Berlin
Tel.:0228/501-0
Fax:0228/501-777
Website: http://www.kmk.org

Certification at colleges of art and music

The artistic qualification awarded on completion of a first degree course of study is generally the Diplom. Apart from artistic training, art colleges also provide courses of teacher training, which entitle students to teach art or music at schools after passing their Staatsprüfung (state examination) and undergoing Vorbereitungsdienst (preparatory service). In 2003 and 2004, the Standing Conference adopted general guidelines for training in the subjects art and music for all teaching careers.

Colleges of art and music as well already offer teacher study courses which lead to a higher education examination within the framework of the consecutive study structure.

Special graduate study courses culminate in a Abschlussprüfung(final examination), the Konzertexamen(concert examination) or a further Diplomor Master’s degree. Finally, on obtaining their first qualification at higher education level for entry into a profession, at some colleges of art or music students can also go on to do their doctorate.

In December 2004, as part of the structural requirements that are binding for all Länder, the Standing Conference passed a resolution for the accreditation of Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses at colleges of art and music. The structural requirements of 2003 were supplemented accordingly in 2005. The following designations are used for Bachelor’s and subsequent Master’s degrees at colleges of art and music:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.)
• Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Master of Music (M.Mus.)

Institutions:
Ständige Konferenz der Kultusminister der Länder in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (KMK)
Lennéstraße 6 53113 Bonn Berliner Büro: Markgrafenstr. 37 10117 Berlin
Tel.:0228/501-0
Fax:0228/501-777
Website: http://www.kmk.org

Certification at Fachhochschulen

Fachhochschulen award the Diplomgrad ,the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree upon completion of a course of studies. The Diplomgradindicates the field of study and that it was awarded by a Fachhochschule: e.g. Diplomingenieur( Fachhochschule) – i.e. Diplomin engineering awarded by a Fachhochschule– abbreviated Dipl.-Ing.(FH). On the basis of agreements with a foreign institution of higher education, some Fachhochschulen, confer a foreign degree (double degree and joint degree) in addition to the German Diplom.

Since the amendment to the Framework Act for Higher Education ( Hochschulrahmengesetz) of 1998, higher education institutions are entitled to award Bachelor's or Master's degrees. The new graduation system introduced is to replace the customary graduation system until 2010.

As at universities, Bachelor's study courses at Fachhochschulenprovide the academic foundation, methodological skills and qualifications related to the professional field and lead to the Bachelor’s degree. Master’s study courses are differentiated by the profile types "more practice-oriented" and "more research-oriented". They require a first degree qualifying for entry into a profession and lead to the Master’s degree. In designating Master’s degrees, no distinction is made between the profile types "more practice-oriented" and "more research-oriented". The Bachelor’s degree generally provides the same rights as Diplomqualifications acquired at a Fachhochschule. The Master’s degree provides the same rights as Diplomand Magisterqualifications of universities and equivalent higher education institutions.

The following designations are used for Bachelor’s and consecutive Master’s degrees at Fachhochschulen:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
• Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Master of Science (M.Sc.)
• Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
• Master of Laws (LL.M.)

The Fachhochschulenshould add a diploma supplement to the leaving certificate of the Diplomand Magisterstudy courses, as well as to the Bachelor/Master study courses, that describes, usually in English, the study course, the progress of the studies and the performance of the graduate. From 2005, degree holders are to automatically receive the Diploma Supplementat no extra charge.

In addition to consecutive Master's study courses, there are other special graduate study courses which may be taken after the completion of a first degree. These special graduate study courses of two to four semesters’ duration culminate in the award of a second Diplomdegree, the Master’s degree, or proof of academic achievement (certificate).

It is not possible to obtain a doctoral degree from a Fachhochschule, given that only universities and equivalent institutions of higher education are entitled to award doctorates.

Certification at establishments outside the higher education system – Berufsakademien, Fachschulen

Berufsakademien

Students who successfully complete their Diplom examination at Berufsakademien after three years are awarded a qualification for entry into a profession (e.g. a Diplomdegree in engineering – Diplom-Ingenieur, in youth and community work – Diplom-Sozialpädagoge, or in business management – Diplom-Betriebswirt, to which the abbreviation (BA) for Berufsakademieis added).

The degrees awarded by Berufsakademienbased on the Baden-Württemberg model are amongst the degrees in tertiary education. Provided that they satisfy certain criteria, they are covered by the EU directive on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas. These criteria include, above all, entrance requirements and the qualifications of the teaching staff, as well as certain institutional requirements in terms of the range of training on offer and cooperation between the Studienakademie(study institution) and training company. In addition to the degrees awarded by the Berufsakademienin Baden-Württemberg and Sachsen, the degrees awarded by the Berufsakademie Berlin integrated into the Fachhochschule für Wirtschaft Berlin also meet these criteria. The Standing Conference also recommended that a Diplomawarded by these Berufsakademienbe regarded as equivalent to a Diplomawarded by a Fachhochschule with regard to the rules governing the right to practise certain professions.

In October 2004, the Standing Conference passed the resolution that, in future, Bachelor’s study courses at Berufsakademienshould be accredited. The Bachelor’s degrees obtained after these training courses are equivalent to Bachelor’s degrees obtained at institutions of higher education. The academic equivalence of the Bachelor’s degrees shall also be linked to their equivalence with regard to the right to practise certain professions. However, the designation does not refer to a higher education degree but to a state-recognised degree.

Fachschulen

Depending on the discipline, successful completion of the two-year Fachschule entitles graduates to use the occupational titles state-certified agricultural economist (Staatlich geprüfter Agrarbetriebswirt), state-certified technician (Staatlich geprüfter Techniker), state-certified business economist (Staatlicher geprüfter Betriebswirt) and state-certified designer (Staatlich geprüfter Gestalter), as well as other occupational titles in the social professions, e.g. state-recognised youth or child-care workers (Staatlich anerkannter Erzieher). It is also possible to obtain the Fachhochschulreife at the Fachschule.

Institutions:
Ständige Konferenz der Kultusminister der Länder in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (KMK)
Lennéstraße 6 53113 Bonn Berliner Büro: Markgrafenstr. 37 10117 Berlin
Tel.:0228/501-0
Fax:0228/501-777
Website: http://www.kmk.org

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