What is the school system in Germany
John Parsons
Updated on March 30, 2026
The German education system consists of pre-school, primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Full-time schooling is compulsory at primary and secondary levels for all children aged 6 to 15. However, German education generally lasts until the age of 18. The state runs most German schools and they are free to attend.
What is the school system like in Germany?
All Germans are obliged to attend primary and secondary education, ever since they reach the age of 6, up until they complete a 9-year full-time schooling at Gymnasium, or 10 years of full-time years for other general education schools.
How do German school years work?
Children in Germany don’t start school until they are six years old. … In most regions of Germany, children go to primary school for four years. Each lesson lasts for 45 minutes. School lessons usually finish before lunch.
Is the German school system unfair?
In Germany, there is a demonstrable correlation between the students’ social background and their academic achievements at the end of the school career – as compared to international standards. … One factor is the early allocation of students to different types of school.What are the three levels of school in Germany?
- Hauptschule – for less academic students;
- Realschule – for intermediary students;
- Gymnasium – for academic students;
- Gesamtschule – a comprehensive school combining all education types.
What grade is a 13 year old in Germany?
The German Gymnasium is an academic secondary school that prepares pupils for a university education. It begins with the fifth grade (seventh in Berlin/Brandenburg). After grade 12 or 13 (depending on the state), students earn a diploma called das Abitur by passing an oral and written examination.
What grade is a 15 year old in Germany?
Secondary education in Germany consists of two general phases, although things vary across the different states. There is the lower phase (sekundarstufe I), which in most states takes place between ages 10 and 15/16 (or from grades 5 to 9/10). This is compulsory for all students.
Is German school system good?
The country tested below average in maths, reading and science in the Programme for International Assessment (Pisa) report – and received the unwanted accolade of having the most unequal education performance among the 43 countries examined.Why are German schools bad?
Germany’s school system has gotten bad marks yet again. An annual OECD report suggested that Germany spends too little on learning, students get too little instruction and too few people get university degrees. … In OECD countries, the number of college and university students increased by an average of 40 percent.
Why is German education so good?The quality of German education is world-renowned for a reason. It’s well-organized and designed to be highly accessible to all students allowing them to continue studying up to the university level regardless of a family’s finances. All German states offer the same school systems and education system.
Article first time published onDo German schools have uniforms?
There is no tradition of wearing school uniforms in Germany, and today, almost all students of state schools, private schools or universities do not wear school uniforms.
Is school free in Germany?
Everyone can study in Germany tuition-free! That’s right: Germans, Europeans, and all non-Europeans can study in Germany free of charge – without tuition fees. It does not matter if you are from the EU or EEA. This applies to almost all study programmes at public universities.
What flag is illegal in Germany?
(Oct. 13, 2020) On September 14, 2020, Minister of the Interior Ulrich Mäurer of the city-state of Bremen, Germany issued a decree banning the public flying or use of the German imperial war flag.
How long is a German school day?
The School Day Classes normally start between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. and can end between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. Class periods are normally 45 minutes long with a short break in between. However, in recent years some schools (Ganztagsschule) have started offering longer days.
How does the school system work?
Generally, school districts are divided into elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Elementary schools are composed of students in kindergarten and grades 1-5. … Children begin 1st grade at age six. Middle school is composed of students in grades 6-8 and high school contains grades 9-12.
What age do you finish school Germany?
High school years in Germany vary by which stream or level you choose to study at. Most schools take students until 15 or 16 years of age. The Gymnasium students end at age 18 (grade 13).
What age can you leave school in Germany?
Germany. The school leaving age in Germany is essentially set at 18. However, it does differ depending on the school type. For example, those attending a Gymnasium study for their Abitur and so leave at a later age of 18 than those for example attending a Berufsschule (16) or a Hauptschule (also 16).
How do you say school in Germany?
school → Schwarm, Schule, Universität, Hochschule, Fakultät, Berufsschule.
What happens on the first day of school in Germany?
A cone full of presents The most important part of every German child’s first day of school is the “Schultüte,” or school cone. Apparently the thought of attending school every day for the next 12-13 years has to be “sweetened” with candy and presents – a tradition that dates back to the early 19th century.
Do German schools teach English?
Many German schools start with English language teaching in the first grade. In addition, there are many after school programs for kids to learn English, as well as school holiday intensives all so that German-speaking kids can get a leg up, headstart or jet propel into speaking fluent English.
How long is summer break in Germany?
In Germany, summer vacation lasts six to six and a half weeks. The exact dates vary by state as well as from one to the next year, from the earliest (mid-June to late July) to the latest (late July to early September).
Which country has the best education system?
- United States. #1 in Education Rankings. No Change in Rank from 2020. …
- United Kingdom. #2 in Education Rankings. …
- Germany. #3 in Education Rankings. …
- Canada. #4 in Education Rankings. …
- France. #5 in Education Rankings. …
- Switzerland. #6 in Education Rankings. …
- Japan. #7 in Education Rankings. …
- Australia. #8 in Education Rankings.
What rank is Germany in education?
Country NameReading scoreScience scoreGermany497520Ireland496508France496498Chinese Taipei495520
What are the grade levels in Germany?
- Hauptschule (secondary general school for grades 5 through 9 or 10)
- Realschule (more practical secondary school for grades 5 through 10)
- Gymnasium (more academic secondary school for grades 5 through 12 or 13)
- Gesamtschule (comprehensive school for grades 5 through 12 or 13)
Is Germany expensive to live?
The cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable compared to other European countries. … On average, to cover your living expenses in Germany you will need around 861 euros per month (around $1,002 US dollars) or 10,332 euros per year (around $12,024 US dollars).
What are the disadvantages of living in Germany?
- Closing times are early. …
- Taxes may be higher than you’re used to. …
- Bureaucracy is everywhere. …
- Everyone follows the rules. …
- Everyone follows the rules. …
- Low cost of living. …
- Transport is easy. …
- Lots of public holidays.
Is German hard to learn?
With plenty of straightforward rules, German is not actually as hard to learn as most people think. And since English and German stem from the same language family, you might actually be surprised at the things you pick up without even trying! And on top of it all, it’s definitely a useful one, too.
Which country has no school uniform?
In Spain, they are just for private schools, but uniforms are worn in public schools in Latin America, for example in Brazil. There are no uniforms in modern Russia – the practice was abolished in 1994 – except in a few private or prestigious public schools.
What do Germans call Germany?
Deutschland, or “Teutonland”, is the native German name for Germany. It comes from the Old German or Proto-Germanic þiudisk, thiota, or diota, all of which mean “nation” or “people”. [1] All three are cognates of the Celtic tribal name Teuton, which was anachronistically applied to the early Germans in English.
What is the capital of Germany?
Berlin, capital and chief urban centre of Germany. The city lies at the heart of the North German Plain, athwart an east-west commercial and geographic axis that helped make it the capital of the kingdom of Prussia and then, from 1871, of a unified Germany.
Can I learn German on my own?
Yes you can. It’s very enjoyable to learn something on your own, since it gives you a fantastic sense of achievement. Learning German by yourself is a great way to take charge of your own learning speed and the way in which you decide to learn.