School Degrees

Vocational training is not linked to statutory school requirements. Rather, the training company should decide whether the future trainee is suitable for the corresponding position. However, for the application for the vocational school in which the theoretical part of the training is completed, a recognition of the school leaving certificate may be a prerequisite.

 

In order to be admitted to study at a German university, the foreign school leaving certificate must qualify for university admission, i.e. correspond to the German (technical) Abitur.

There is no central entrance examination for universities in Germany. If you pass the Abitur, you automatically acquire the university entrance qualification. Then you can enroll directly at the desired university. For some degree programmes with a limited number of places (Numerus Clausus, NC), however, there is a central allocation system.

 

Whether a foreign school leaving certificate is equivalent to a lower secondary school leaving certificate (after 9 years), a secondary school leaving certificate (after 10 years) or the general/subject-specific higher education entrance qualification and therefore entitles to vocational training is decided by the certificate recognition offices of the 16 federal states.

 

The International Office of the respective university is responsible for the recognition of the degree for the purpose of university admission.
If the school leaving certificate does not directly entitle you to university admission in Germany, it is possible to attend a Preparatory College as preparation and then take an assessment test.