What is the school system like in Germany?

Germany's school system Once your children are six years old, they are required to go to school, since school attendance is compulsory in Germany. Most German schools are run by the state and there is no charge for your children to attend. In addition, there are private and international schools which charge fees.

What is a typical school like in Germany?

In German state schools lessons have a length of exactly 45 minutes. Each subject is usually taught for two to three periods every week (main subjects like mathematics, German or foreign languages are taught for four to six periods) and usually no more than two periods consecutively.

How long is the school day in Germany?

Students at elementary school start pretty early, from 8 a.m., and stay on until 1 or 2 p.m. For older kids in lower secondary education, these hours may be extended until about 4 p.m. German students in upper secondary education might even stay until 5 p.m. during their last school year.

How is the German school system different to the UK?

Curriculum in Primary Education in The UK and Germany

The curriculum in both the countries under study are quite different in the sense that there is more centralisation in the U.K. while in Germany, the education at the primary level is more individualised and depends on the talents, skill and abilities of the pupil.

What can you legally do at 16 in Germany?

Adolescents aged 16 and over are allowed to buy and drink beer, wine or sparkling wine also in absence of their parents, but other -heavy- alcoholic drinks are not allowed for them either. From the 18th birthday, a person is considered an adult in Germany.

The German School System | Meet The Germans

At what age do you finish high school in Germany?

What age do you graduate high school in Germany? The age of graduation depends on which school type or educational “stream” the student is placed in. Gymnasium students graduate at age 18. However, Realschule students can graduate at either 15 or 16.

Is education better in UK or Germany?

In addition to being one of the best countries for higher education, the UK also has a significantly higher number of universities when compared to Germany. It means that your prospects of getting to the UK are better. Here are the top 10 universities in the UK according to 2023 QS World University Rankings.

What do Germans do instead of GCSE?

The equivalent of GCSEs in Germany is called die Mittlere Reife. The equivalent of A-levels in Germany is called Abitur, but in Austria and Switzerland it is called Matura.

Is it better to live in Germany or UK?

Likewise, if you're sick or unemployed (and you've paid into the German system), the social safety net is cast wider and deeper in Germany than it is in the UK. If you're married and one person in the relationship is a much higher earner than the other partner, this also has fiscal benefits in the German system.

Are schools free in Germany?

Germany's school system

Most German schools are run by the state and there is no charge for your children to attend. In addition, there are private and international schools which charge fees. The individual states are responsible for education policy.

Do German students wear uniforms?

Most German schools don't have a school uniform. In most regions of Germany, children go to primary school for four years.

How long is summer break in German?

The School Year

There are longer breaks at Christmas and in the summer. Shorter breaks are around Easter and in autumn. There is no school on public holidays. The Christmas break is usually 2 weeks and the summer break is about 6 weeks.

Do German students go home for lunch?

Most German schools still have longer morning breaks where students can get snacks and then in the afternoon they go home for a hot lunch (Mittagessen), which is usually the biggest meal of the day.

What does a school day look like in Germany?

German students study at school 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday. Lessons for students will usually start from 8.00 am, which may seem early, but they get to finish at around 1.00-2.00pm. Some older students may finish later depending on their school, but the latest school finish time is around 4.00 pm.

Do German schools have summer break?

Eres Relocation Germany

August has just ended, and for schoolkids in Germany, this marks the end of summer holidays and the onset of the school year. Most students in Germany return to classrooms at the beginning of September.

What is homework like in Germany?

Homework in Germany is considered very important, and the school day is structured in such a way that students have plenty of time to complete it and gain extra help or support where necessary. Even in primary school, students spend at least half an hour on homework every day (known as Hausaufgaben).

Is German taught in UK schools?

Most schools teach one or more of French, German and Spanish, but the Government does not promote the teaching of particular languages. In 2015, concerns were raised about the withdrawal of GCSE and A level qualifications in lesser-taught languages such as Arabic, Japanese, and Polish.

Is German GCSE difficult?

Is German GCSE hard? Unfortunately, German is a pretty tough language to learn for an English speaker. There are a load of factors that influence how hard (or easy!) you find it, like your general enjoyment of the language, your motivations and ways/methods of learning.

Are Germans well educated?

Germany is one of only two OECD countries in which the share of 25-34 year-olds without upper secondary attainment has increased between 2015 and 2022 (from 13% to 16%). The share of young adults without formal qualification now exceeds the OECD average by two percentage points.

Which is colder Germany or England?

Being surrounded by warm (for the latitude) water keeps the UK warmer than Germany, which is mostly surrounded by land. Is it though? Germany has more of a continental climate whereas the UK has a maritime climate with the Gulf Stream. This means we have less extreme weather.

Is studying in Germany cheaper than UK?

Both countries are popular for studying abroad but studying in UK is more expensive then in Germany. Top universities in Germany offer free courses and programs while UK universities don't. In addition, the living expenses in Germany are much less compared to living costs in UK.

Is Health Care Free in Germany?

In Germany, healthcare is partially free due to the social contributions to the public healthcare system. This means that individuals can receive medical services free of charge for the most part. However, some low copayments apply, such as the €10 charge for a visit to the general practitioner (GP) every quarter.

Why is Germany's education system so good?

The curriculum in the German education system is focused on innovation and research and provides opportunities for skill development. The country offers some outstanding research opportunities for students and has even partnered with several organisations to foster application-oriented research.

What age do Germans start university?

Usually in Germany, most students start their studies when they are at least 18 years old. The majority even starts at the age of almost 24. However, more minors are currently studying at German colleges and universities than ever before.