Types of higher education institutions

In Germany, there are state-funded (public-law) and state-recognised higher education institutions, which are usually divided into universities and equivalent institutions of higher education, universities of applied sciences, and colleges of the arts. The majority of higher education institutions receive public funding and are therefore state-run (under public law). However, there are also private and church-run universities that are state-recognised.

Universities

At universities and equivalent institutions of higher education, the focus is on imparting theoretical knowledge and methodological competence, which is why studies are predominantly academic and research-oriented. In addition to teaching, research is one of the central tasks of a university. Universities are characterised by a strong research orientation and usually a very broad range of subjects. Some universities specialise in certain subject areas, which is often reflected in their designation as, for example, a technical university, university of education or ecclesiastical-philosophical university.

All public universities and the majority of state-recognised universities in Germany have been granted the right to confer doctoral degrees by the state and are thus entitled to train doctoral candidates and award doctoral degrees.

This is followed – with different weighting in the individual subjects – by the habilitation as proof of an academic's teaching proficiency. The right of habilitation is the right of a higher education institution to award a teaching qualification. As a rule, universities and equivalent institutions of higher education are entitled to this right, and, subject to certain prerequisites, also universities of the arts. In Germany, only universities (Universitäten) have the right to award habilitations.

Universities

Universities of applied sciences

Universities of applied sciences are characterised by a strong focus on practical applications. The range of subjects is not usually as extensive as at universities and is mostly concentrated on engineering, economics and social sciences.

Universities of applied sciences (whether Fachhochschulen or Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften) do not have the right to confer doctoral degrees. Several state laws, however, open up the possibility of granting this right for specific disciplines for a limited period of time and subject to conditions, if these disciplines have demonstrated sufficient research strength.

In so-called cooperative doctoral procedures, higher education institutions entitled to confer doctoral degrees and universities of applied sciences work together so that professors from universities of applied sciences can act as supervisors, reviewers and examiners in the doctoral education phase.

In Germany, there are also about 30 federal and state universities of applied sciences for public administration, which provide training for the higher civil service and can only be attended by civil servants.

Universities of applied sciences

Universities of the arts

Universities of the arts offer students an academic education in the visual, creative and performing arts as well as in musical subjects. They are characterised by the special relationship between artistic, pedagogical and academic training in theory and practice, irrespective of the different focal points and subject orientations. The centre of its role is the unity of artistic teaching, art practice and research.

At some universities of the arts, the entire spectrum of artistic and musical subjects is represented, while others concentrate on individual disciplines. Artistic degree programmes are also offered at universities and universities of applied sciences in corresponding departments or faculties. The majority of colleges of the arts have the right to confer doctoral degrees and habilitations.

Universities of the arts

International cooperation

Information on international cooperation between German higher education institutions and foreign partner institutions can be found on this HRK website.

International cooperation