The German Higher Education System

This option is for students seeking a scientific, academic, and primarily theoretical education. Universities offer a wide range of degree programs, most of which are research-oriented. There are also universities that specialize in specific fields, such as Technical Universities (TU) or Technical Colleges (TH), Medical Universities, or Teacher Training Colleges.

Further Education Colleges are often described as Universities for Applied Sciences. Although they offer fewer degree programs than traditional universities, they differ mainly through their practical approach. They provide education with a strong practical and applied orientation, tailored to the specific requirements of the professional world. Many programs are also offered at universities, but at a University of Applied Sciences, they have a more practice-oriented focus aimed at the job market.

The bachelor’s degree corresponds to the Indonesian sarjana and is the first level of higher education recognized in the job market. It typically lasts 6 to 8 semesters and follows a modular structure. After completing a bachelor’s degree, students can either enter the workforce in their field or continue their studies by pursuing a master’s degree, which roughly corresponds to the Indonesian magister. To enroll in a master’s program, you must first complete a bachelor’s degree.

Please note that at a few universities, it is still possible to earn a diploma degree, particularly in engineering programs, and a Magister degree in the social sciences. The title Diplom-Ingenieur, for example, is internationally recognized and is awarded after completing 5–6 semesters of study and submitting a final thesis.

However, since the European higher education reform (also known as the Bologna Process), most universities have transitioned from the diploma or Magister system to the bachelor’s and master’s structure to harmonize academic education across Europe.