Germany has a long tradition in education, science and research. The history of many higher education institutions extends back over many centuries. Following the destruction caused by the Second World War, an education and research landscape has evolved in Germany which, particularly since German unification, is as extensive today as has never before been the case. 349 higher education institutions are located throughout Germany (as per 2001). Those interested in studying in Germany can choose between universities and university-status institutions, such as the technical universities, or the universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule institutions), or the colleges of art, music and film. All state-maintained higher education institutions are open to students of all nations.

Your decision on which type of higher education institution is right for you depends largely on what your study objectives are. You must be quite clear in your own mind about these before being able to select the most suitable institution.

Before commencing your studies, you should also be able to answer the following questions:

You should only start organizing your path to your chosen German higher education institution once you are fully aware of what the path back to your home country is, what your career prospects are with your chosen degree courses and how you intend to fund your studies. We want your studies at a German higher education institution to open up opportunities for you and not to stand in the way of these opportunities. Germany has almost 350 state-maintained and a number of privately-maintained higher education institutions.

Germany has a long tradition in education, science and research. The history of many higher education institutions extends back over many centuries. Following the destruction caused by the Second World War, an education and research landscape has evolved in Germany which, particularly since German unification, is as extensive today as has never before been the case. 349 higher education institutions are located throughout Germany (as per 2001). Those interested in studying in Germany can choose between universities and university-status institutions, such as the technical Since the time of Wilhelm von Humboldt the governing principle has been "the unity of research and teaching". Since the opening-up of the universities, however, with the resulting trend towards mass institutions, this ideal is only partially in line with the times. Aspects such as practical applicability and relevance to vocational requirements are constantly gaining in importance. This is particularly true at Fachhochschulen where the courses are shorter and the curriculum more tightly-organised than at the universities. Ever more new students are opting to study at Fachhochschulen. The "freedom of teaching and research" guarantees institutions the right to self-administration even if they are financed by the state. In the framework of the Higher Education Act of the respective Land they award themselves their own charters. Universities are headed by a Rector or President, several Pro-rectors or Vice-presidents, and a Chancellor. The Academic Senate is responsible for general affairs concerning research, teaching and studying. It is composed of elected representatives of all the members of the institution, ie. students and non-academic staff, too. The students elect their own Student Representation. Its various bodies are self-administrating and safeguard student rights with regard to higher education policy, as well as dealing with students' social and cultural interests., or the universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule institutions), or the colleges of art, music and film. All state-maintained higher education institutions are open to students of all nations.

The individual disciplines are grouped together into faculties or departments (eg. the "Philosophical Faculty" or the "Department of Economics"). The faculties and departments are empowered to pass regulations governing studies and examinations. An elected Dean is in charge of faculty or departmental business. Each subject has its own institute or "Seminar" (in Germany this word has a double meaning: a course and a department building or room). This will be the place you spend most of your time because this is where the teaching staff and other students are to be found. You will find literature on your subject in the "Seminar"-library, while general information on your course of study is available from the Departmental Student Organization ("Fachschaft"). Queries about organizational matters can be addressed to the secretary's office.