The German system of higher education makes a variety of institutions available. These include universities. Universities combine teaching with independent research projects, all focusing on academic work. Universities specialize in methodical, theoretical education.
The classic disciplines at a university are medicine, law, social sciences, humanities, education, agriculture, engineering, natural sciences, business management, and economics. Technical universities focus on technical and engineering disciplines.
Though students are generally free to choose their courses themselves, certain guidelines must be complied with. Their studies provide them with qualifications that are much sought after on the job market.
German universities have traditionally conferred the academic degrees of Diplom and Magister Artium. Unlike so called “universities of applied sciences” (Fachhochschulen), they have the right to award the Doctorate and the Habilitation. As a result of the Bologna Accords, however, German universities have begun a reforming process and have started to offer a more internationally oriented curriculum including Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
