Bachelor Graduates in Germany: Internationally Mobile, Smooth Transition and Professional Success

Abstract

From the 1970s to the 1990s, the higher education system in the Federal Republic of Germany was characterised by a two-type structure. Most study programmes at universities required 4-5 years of study and led to “Magister”, “Diplom” or “Staatsexamen” degrees, all considered as equivalent to a Master. The study programmes at Fachhochschulen (translated into English as universities of applied sciences) were called three-year programmes with additional internships and possible examination periods until the 1980s and four-years programmes including internships and possible examination periods in the 1990s leading to a “Diplom” degree; this tended to be considered internationally as “Bachelor+” and also was counted in UNESCO statistics as ISCED 5A. About one tenth of graduates from universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) continued their studies at universities. In 1998, 11 per cent of the corresponding age group was awarded a university degree and 6 per cent a Fachhochschule degree. Graduates from both types were about 28 years old on average at the time of graduation.