THE GERMAN EDUCATION SYSTEM
THE STRUCTURE OF THE GERMAN SCHOOL SYSTEM
STUDYING AT A GERMAN UNIVERSITY; EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE & POSTGRADUATE COURSES IN GERMANY
PROSPECT FOR MALAYSIAN STUDENTS
GERMAN LANGUAGE
COLLEGE OF UNIVERSITY PREPARETORY STUDIES
Citizens are able to choose the type of education they desire and are given access to their preferred occupation or profession. The goal of education policy is therefore to provide each citizen with opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Education is free as it is state funded.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE GERMAN SCHOOL SYSTEM
The public schools are subject to state laws, not federal, which is why there are considerable differences between states. The basic scheme of grammar school (years 1-4), secondary schools, level 1 (years 5-10), secondary schools, level 2 (years 11-13) is used throughout the country.
The basic law gives people the right to self-fulfilment and the right to choose their occupation or profession, place of work, study or training according to their individual abilities. That is, every student can choose which school to attend (if she or he is fit to attend.) In Germany school attendance is compulsory for children of ages 7 to 18. At least nine years of this period they must attend a full-time school and then they choose either to continue the full-time schooling (Gymnasium) or attend a vocational school (Berufschule) part-time.
Attendance at public schools is free of charge; textbooks and other supplies are usually provided for loan during the school year. By far the great majority of students choose public school training. There are private schools (notably the Waldorf schools), too. However, their number is very small.
STUDYING AT A GERMAN UNIVERSITY; EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Foreign students from a large number of countries who want to study after high school at a German university or Fachhochschule need to attend the Studienkolleg for two semesters and pass an examination. Tuition at a Studienkolleg is free.
Usually it is easier to just go with an organised program. Especially since these programs usually guarantee some sort of credit transfer which is (depending on your home university) hard to impossible to get otherwise. Some programs also include special classes (sometimes in English, sometimes German classes for foreigners) which will otherwise not be offered -- German students are supposed to find their own way through the university. The big advantage of going alone is the financial aspect. Education in Germany is basically free i.e. university students pay a nominal tuition of typically approximately RM100 a semester for their education (plus books, living expenses and the usual public transportation. Students in Germany typically live in (shared) apartments and getting a dorm room is often included in organised programs.
UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE & POSTGRADUATE COURSES IN GERMANYNumerous German institutions of higher education offer international degree courses. The degree courses presented below, which are financed partly by the German Federal Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Technology (BMBF) and partly by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have been selected from a large number of applications and are supported by the DAAD. The German Rector's Conference (HRK) is actively involved in the selection process.
These courses are of particular interest to foreign and to internationally-oriented German students. The range of study opportunities covers undergraduate degree courses for students beginning their studies and graduate/postgraduate courses for advanced students. Except for a small number of special cases, the predominant or exclusive language of instruction, at least in the first semesters, is English.
All degree courses feature the following conditions:
· High academic standard
· Courses and lectures held in English (for further details on the language of instruction please refer to the individual program descriptions)
· Tightly-organised study programs
· International degrees
· German language courses offered before and during the program
· Special services: academic and personal support services provided by tutors and mentors, intensive study counseling, work in small groups, etc.
· Opportunities for study periods at partner universities and colleges abroad
· No tuition fees
PROSPECT FOR MALAYSIAN STUDENTS
With the secondary school-leaving certificate or higher education admissions qualification, students can generally be directly admitted to higher education in Germany once they have passed the DSH language proficiency test.
To study in Germany, candidates from Malaysia need to prove that they have a good command of the German language. A good knowledge of the language is a pre-requisite for enrollment. This is because courses, seminars and examinations are normally held in German language, except for the international programmes, which are mostly taught in English. Students need to demonstrate their language proficiency before their enrollment at the higher institutions and registering for classes. They are encouraged to take exams that are designed for foreign applicants at German universities, which is recognized by the culture ministers of the individual German federal states.
In many countries of the world, Germany’s Goethe Institutes offer language instruction at all levels. They also prepare the candidates for examinations. Another way of proving the language proficiency is to take the “Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache” (TestDaF) given by The DAAD, which will soon be available at many locations worldwide.
The easiest way to learn German language is by taking up one of the international summer courses available at universities over there. The courses are designed not only for people to learn the language, but also the opportunity to learn some basic facts about the country. What foreign students would normally do is to stay with host families during their summer courses period, so they get the chance to observe and learn better the “everyday life” in Germany. Other than that, students would rent a place at the student hostels.
COLLEGE OF UNIVERSITY PREPARETORY STUDIES
If students from Malaysia who have obtained a diploma, A-Levels or any equivalent higher academic qualification in Malaysia, but it turns that the courses are not recognized, they can enroll at a College of University Preparatory Studies for Foreign Students. The one-year programme brings them to the academic level they need to study at a German university. Courses are taught in German, so language proficiency is a pre-requisite. Thereafter, students have to take final exam. Anyone who passes can apply for admission to a German university. Enrollment to a College of University Preparatory Study for Foreign Students is handled by the university it is affiliated with or a state office
