Germany's school system

School is compulsory for all children living in Germany.

Children normally start to attend school in the autumn of the year in which they turn 6.
Compulsory education usually lasts until the end of the school year in which the child
reaches the age of 16.
The rules governing compulsory schooling vary from one German federal state to the
next.

Grundschule primary or elementary school

The first school all children in Germany attend is the Grundschule. They then move on to
a secondary school, of which there are several different types and at which they can
gain different qualifications.

Children usually attend primary school for four years.

Once the children have completed primary school, they move on to one of
three different secondary schools:

Hauptschule
Realschule
Gymnasium

Which of these secondary schools they go to is normally decided by the parents on the
basis of the advice of the teaching staff and the primary school performance.
Secondary Schools

Hauptschule
The role of the Hauptschule is to prepare pupils for an apprenticeship after they leave
school. In addition to theoretical knowledge, this school therefore aims to give pupils the
practical skills necessary for their working life.
Hauptschule gives pupils a general education as the basis for practical vocational
training.

Realschule
The Realschule gives students the opportunity to take subjects such as a second foreign
language.
Realschule pupils are expected to show more personal initiative in learning than those
attending Hauptschule. However, they receive a more practically-oriented education than
the pupils who attend Gymnasium.
he Realschule aims to give a more advanced form of general education.

Gymnasium
Pupils attend Gymnasium for eight years to acquire a final qualification called the Abitur.
The Abitur is regarded as a certificate of aptitude for higher education. The Gymnasium
is intended for pupils who will go on to study at a university,
Greater personal initiative and motivation is expected from Gymnasium pupils in
comparison to those attending Hauptschule or Realschule.
General options
Once pupils have acquired a Hauptschule or Realschule leaving certificate, there are
several ways they can continue their secondary education and eventually acquire the
Abitur.

After school
Once school education is over in Germany, there are three ways to prepare for a working
career:
- vocational training (e.g. to become an electrician or business management assistant)
in the public or private sector,
- a course of study at university or university for applied sciences, or
- a dual course of study which involves cooperation between companies and institutes
of higher education. These courses combine practical and theoretical components.

Vocational training
When looking for work in Germany, it is vital that applicants have completed their
vocational training or course of study.
Vocational training normally lasts for between two and three and a half years, and is
usually "dual" in nature. This means it's a combination of practical experience of working
in a company and periods at a vocational school.
Around 50 percent of young people in Germany participate in this dual form of
vocational training.
Young people in Germany can learn one of around 350 skilled trades.

Studying in Germany
A particular distinction must be made between universities, universities of applied
sciences/technical colleges (Fachhochschule like HfWU) and vocational institutions
(Berufsakademie).
- At universities, research is an important adjunct to teaching. The students work
towards more academic or science-based qualifications.
- Courses for students at universities for applied sciences, or at technical colleges or
vocational institutions, are more career-related. They combine theory and practice and
focus on concrete professional goals.
- Dual study programs are an ideal mix of both approaches. The theoretical knowledge
taught at the higher education institute is put into practice during phases of work
experience at a company. The companies cooperate closely with the institutes in
organizing such courses.

video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8SKDsC-Cew
“The German School System | Meet The Germans”

The German School System | Meet The Germans