Higher Education in Germany
It is universally acknowledged, that Germany is one of the world's economically, technically and socially most advanced country. Germany has the world's third largest economy (after the United States of America and Japan) in terms of GDP and is ranked the world's number two trading nation. It has one of the highest standards of living in the world. No country can achieve such distinctions without an excellent system of education at all levels - primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Across the globe, the German higher education is considered as being of an extraordinarily high standard and is sought after by employers worldwide. In particular, German engineering degrees are second to none in the developed world. Moreover, German university degrees are fully recognized and accredited worldwide and are synonymous for quality education of a high standard. At present (2007), about 230,000 foreign students are studying in German universities and institutions of higher education.
Most German universities are in the state sector and are financed by the federal states. Germany's oldest university was established in 1308 in Heidelberg. Presently, there are approximately 350 institutions of higher learning in Germany, including around 200 universities of applied sciences. Basically, German universities are of three kinds: classical, technical and applied science universities. Classical universities offer degree programmes in a broad variety of fields. Technical universities offer degree programmes in a (comparatively) smaller number of specialized subject fields. Both Classical and Technical Universities undertake extensive research and are empowered to supervise doctoral research. Universities of Applied Sciences are not empowered to supervise doctoral research. The main difference between Classical and Technical Universities on the one hand, and Universities of Applied Sciences on the other, lies therein, that the programmes offered at the latter are much more practical-oriented. Most students in Germany attend Classical or Technical Universities.
Traditionally, the German system of higher education differed from the model followed in English-speaking countries. With the consolidation of the European Union, and under the terms of the Bologna Agreement to which all European Union member states are signatories, German universities are replacing their DIPLOM (Masters Degree) programme with Bachelors and Masters Degree programmes of three and two years duration respectively. This will align degrees awarded at German universities with comparable degrees being offered in other countries. Many German universities are offering special degree programmes for international students in English.