Structure of university studies in Germany

• Degrees:
  • Master of Arts (M.A.) in the humanities
  • Master of Science (M.Sc.) in the natural sciences
  • Master of Education (M.Ed.) is required to become a teacher
• Duration: 2–4 semesters = 1–2 years
• Scope: 60–120 ECTS

After successfully completing an undergraduate degree programme (usually a bachelor’s degree), students have the option of pursuing a master’s degree programme, thereby embarking on an academic career or achieving professional specialisation. A master’s degree is usually also a prerequisite for doctoral studies.

• Degrees:
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in the humanities
  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in the natural sciences
  • polyvalent dual major bachelor’s degree programme (2-HF-B) as the first step towards a career as a teacher
• Duration: 6-8 semesters = 3-4 years
• Scope: 180-240 ECTS

Bachelor’s degree programmes lead to a first professionally qualifying university degree and are the usual prerequisite for admission to a subsequent Master’s programme. All Bachelor’s degree programmes are modular in structure and feature a system of examinations throughout the course of study.

A PhD is the highest degree that a university can award. In Germany, this means working intensively on a specific topic or research project for several years (app. 3-5 years). Depending on your discipline, research area, personal circumstances and formal qualifications you can choose between individual studies or structured programmes.
Further information can be found on this university website.

• Duration: 8-13 semesters = 4-7 years

The state examination is taken in subjects whose study enables a career in the civil service of the Federal Republic of Germany or in state-regulated professions (e.g. doctor, lawyer, pharmacist). In most cases, the state examination is divided into two parts (first and second state examinations) taken at different times, with a practical training phase in between. The following degree programmes can currently be started at the University of Freiburg with the aim of obtaining a state examination:

• Humane medicine 
• Dentistry 
• Pharmacy 
• Law 

The university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung – HZB) is a prerequisite for studying at a German institution of university. In most cases, this means the general university entrance qualification (known as the Abitur). However, there are also a number of other qualifications that enable admission to university studies.