German Education System

The German education standards

General information about how the school system is organized in Germany

Compulsory studies in Germany is based on the rules and regulations of the Grundgesetz (the German basic or fundamental national law). The federal government, with its departments of Education, Cultural Affairs, and Science has come together to create comprehensive education guidelines regarding basic general studies, administrative regulations for school attendance, management of higher education, and foundations for public and private schools.

German educational standards at local schools and also at higher education institutions are relatively high. In fact, precisely because the German school system is so well structured and rigorous, it produces some of the most accomplished students in the world. In a 2015 OECD/PISA study, Germany ranked 16th in mathematics as well as in science, and students attending ranked 11th in reading.

Students are thoroughly tested and evaluated at each stage of schooling. If a student fails to achieve the required minimum grades in two or more classes – for example, in a foreign language, and in religious studies- they have to repeat the whole year to ensure that they are always meeting the requirements to move up.

Only 18% of students at most German schools have to repeat the year once, and more than 50% of students report attending post-secondary and higher studies in Germany.

How does the German education system work?

Compulsory education in Germany dictates that all students from the age of six to 15 years old need to attend school consistently. However, students usually stay in school until 18 years of age and then start a university education at a German university or a continuing vocational education at a full-time vocational school or technical school.

While parents can choose to put their kids in a private school or even an international school for preschool education, primary education, or secondary education, the curriculum in public schools and the secondary education in Germany is sufficient enough to allow their students to aim confidently for university-level education and obtain a university entrance qualification after the final examination at the Gymnasium (high school).