Final degrees - what types are there?

Bachelor´s degree

Bachelor’s and master’s are academic degrees awarded by higher education institutions after the successful completion of examinations.

A bachelor’s degree – also known as Bakkalaureus at some German higher education institutions – is the first level of qualification that qualifies its holder for a profession. The standard period of study for a bachelor’s programme is a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years. The most common bachelor’s degrees are Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering.

Bachelor´s degree programmes

Bachelor´s degree programmes allowing access to teacher training after completion of relevant master´s programme

Master´s degree

Programmes that lead to a master’s degree qualification usually require students to have already completed a first degree and therefore often build on the knowledge and skills gained at bachelor’s level. A master’s degree – also known as a Magister at some German higher education institutions – is awarded on completion of a master’s programme. The master’s degree is an advanced higher education degree providing further qualification for a profession. The standard period of study for a master’s degree is a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years. The most common master’s degrees are Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Engineering.

Master´s degree programmes in the Higher Education Compass

Master´s level teacher training programmes in the Higher Education Compass

Staatsexamen (state examination)

Programmes leading to the Staatsexamen (state examination) are studied at university, but the final examinations are administered by state examination boards.

The Staatsexamen is awarded for programmes in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, law, pharmacy, food chemistry, and some teacher training programmes.

Staatsexamen programmes in medicine in the Higher Education Compass

Staatsexamen programmes in law in the Higher Education Compass

Staatsexamen programmes in pharmacy in the Higher Education Compass

Staatsexamen programmes in food chemistry in the Higher Education Compass

Staatsexamen programmes in teacher training in the Higher Education Compass

Diplom

The Diplom is awarded on the basis of an examination administered by a higher education institution following the completion of a Diplom programme. The degree title always includes the subject in which it has been awarded, e.g. Diplom-Chemiker (graduate chemist), Diplom-Physiker (graduate physicist). Diplom degrees that have been obtained at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) must add FH to the degree title.

Most Diplom programmes are being phased out. That means you can no longer register to begin a Diplom programme.

Diplom programmes in the Higher Education Compass

Magister

Like Diplom programmes, most nine-semester undergraduate Magister programmes are also being phased out. The Magister degree is awarded by universities on completion of a Magister programme.

The Magister degree that is obtained after studying to an advanced level is equivalent to a master’s degree, and should not be confused with the nine-semester undergraduate Magister programme. The most commonly awarded Magister degree is the Magister Artium (M.A.).

Magister programmes in the Higher Education Compass

Other qualifications

In addition to the degrees listed above, you can study for other qualifications in some programmes. For example, a programme in an art-related subject may lead to a final qualification in art or a theological programme may result in a qualification awarded by a religious body. There are only a few programmes that do not lead to a traditional final qualification.

Programmes leading to art related or religious final qualifications in the Higher Education Compass