Basic information for exchange students

The German university system

• The German university system is publicly financed and supported through the Länder , the sixteen federal states of Germany. There are very few private universities.
• The German system requires students to be independent. There is little assessment and "feedback" from professors.
• Teachers generally are less accessible. There is not that much contact between professors and students.
• Courses often focus on narrow subject areas from the beginning of studies, since it is assumed that preparatory studies have been completed in the German Gymnasium
• Academic success is measured primarily through examinations in the middle and at the end of the program of studies. Less "credit" is earned by the successful completion of individual courses.
• The average age of graduating students is 27.
• Activities, especially social life in the university and in the dormitories tend to be organized on a smaller scale, by smaller and more informal groups.

Homepage

Glossary