Abitur ( German: [abiˈtuːɐ̯] ), often shortened colloquially to Abi , is a qualification granted at the end of secondary education in Germany . It is conferred on students who pass their final exams at the end of ISCED 3 , usually after twelve or thirteen years of schooling (see also, for Germany, Abitur after twelve years ). In German, the term Abitur has roots in the archaic word Abiturium , which in turn was derived from the Latin abiturus (future active participle of abire , thus "someone who is going to leave").
44-716: As a matriculation examination , Abitur can be compared to A levels , the Matura or the International Baccalaureate Diploma , which are all ranked as level 4 in the European Qualifications Framework . The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife ("certificate of general qualification for university entrance"), often referred to as Abiturzeugnis (" Abitur certificate"), issued after candidates have passed their final exams and have had appropriate grades in both
88-454: A Fachhochschule was the Diplom (FH) . Coursework generally totaled six semesters (three years) of full-time study, with various options for specialization. In addition, there were one or two practical training semesters to provide hands-on experience in real working environments. The program concluded, usually after 3.5 – 4 years, with the final examination and a thesis ( Diplomarbeit ) which
132-609: A " Begabtenprüfung " ("test of aptitude") are also eligible. Students from other countries who hold a high school leaving certificate that is not counted as being equivalent to the Abitur (such as the American high school diploma) and who do well enough on the ACT or SAT test, may also enter German universities. A person who does not hold the Abitur and did not take an aptitude test may still be admitted to university by completing at least
176-544: A German Fachoberschule , a vocational high school, also introduced in the 1970s. The term Notabitur ('emergency Abitur ' ) describes a qualification used only during World War I and World War II . It was granted to male German Gymnasium students who voluntarily enlisted for military service before graduation as well as young women who were evacuated from the major cities before they could complete their Gymnasium education as planned (approximately three to five million children and teenagers had to be evacuated during
220-474: A German educational official. The final GPA includes grades from both junior and senior years, as well as for the five Abitur exams. The final diploma that students receive after successful completion of these exams allows them to qualify for admission to universities in Germany. Matriculation examination A matriculation examination or matriculation exam is a university entrance examination, which
264-480: A Gymnasium, while 40,000 received it at a different kind of school, most notably at Gesamtschulen . If those who obtain the Fachhochschulreife (144,399 in 2012) are also added, then the total of those who obtained the right to study at a university or a Fachhochschule is 395,000 (2021). Until the eighteenth century, every German university had its own entrance examination. In 1788 Prussia introduced
308-450: A Master's from either, one can now enter a doctoral degree program at a Universität , but a graduate with a bachelor's degree from either is normally unable to proceed directly to a doctoral degree program in Germany. Also, with the master's degree of either of the institutions a graduate can enter the höheren Dienst (higher service) career for civil servants . The Fachhochschule or University of Applied Sciences and Arts
352-595: A finished apprenticeship and a Fachmatura (subject Matura ) and students with the Matura and a practical year in a company can access further education within the Universities for Applied Science. The UAS and their Bachelor's and Master's degrees are federally accredited. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and is in charge of the accreditation of the UAS which are requested to meet
396-401: A number of subjects, such as social work or the legal sub-discipline of social law, which are traditionally underrepresented at traditional universities. In these areas, universities of applied sciences make a significant contribution to research. UAS professors are also increasingly attracting national and international third-party funding. To support their research activities, they can apply for
440-878: A significant reduction in their teaching load. Swiss law calls Fachhochschulen and universities "separate but equal". In terms of student numbers, universities of applied sciences are on average smaller than traditional universities. However, there are also a number of HAW, such as TH Köln or UAS Frankfurt, which can keep up with large universities in this respect. Due to the Bologna process , universities and Fachhochschulen award legally equivalent bachelor's and master's degrees. Excepting research-intensive institutions in Hesse, Saxony Anhalt, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria Fachhochschulen do not award doctoral degrees themselves but sometimes in cooperation with award-granting partner universities. In
484-434: A specified range of majors, depending on the specific subjects covered in his Fachabitur examinations. But the graduate is allowed to study for all majors at a Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences, in some ways comparable to polytechnics ). Today, the school leaving certificate is called fachgebundenes Abitur ('restricted subject Abitur ' ). Now the term Fachabitur is used in most parts of Germany for
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#1732764859537528-916: A third of the 136 Fachhochschulstudiengänge are organized as part-time courses of studies. The Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences UAS are vocational universities established in Switzerland in 1995 following the model of the German Fachhochschulen. They are called Fachhochschule in German, Haute école specialisée in French and scuola universitaria professionale (SUP) in Italian. The Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences offer third level education, continuing education, services businesses and institutions, and produce applied research activities. In 2013 there are seven public UAS approved by
572-553: Is a university of applied sciences ( UAS ), in other words a German tertiary education institution that provides professional education in many applied sciences and applied arts, such as engineering, technology, business, architecture, design, and industrial design . Fachhochschulen were first founded in Germany and were later adopted in Austria , Liechtenstein , Switzerland , Cyprus , and Greece . An increasing number of Fachhochschulen are abbreviated as Hochschule ,
616-494: Is a type of German institution of higher education that emerged from the traditional Engineering Schools and similar professional schools of other disciplines. It differs from the traditional university ( Universität ) mainly through its more practical orientation. Subjects taught at Fachhochschulen include engineering, computer science, business and management, arts and design, communication studies, social service, and other professional fields. The traditional degree awarded at
660-894: Is also an all India level examination conducted by Central Board of Secondary education CBSE the certification is known as Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). During the final examinations ( Abiturprüfungen ), students are tested in four or five subjects (at least one of which is oral). Procedures vary by state . Although some tested subjects are chosen by the student, three areas must be covered: Occasionally, schools (especially berufsorientierte Gymnasien ) offer vocational subjects such as pedagogy , business informatics , biotechnology and mechanical engineering . Final exams are usually taken from March to May or June. Each written basic-level examination takes about three hours; advanced-level examinations take four-and-a-half hours, and written exams are in essay format. Oral examinations last about 20 min. Papers are graded by at least two teachers at
704-628: Is called the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE); in New South Wales it is called the Higher Schools Certificate (HSC). In India various states name it differently. Each Indian state has its own examination board, some individual states having their own entrance test system. Passing the specified examination qualifies the student to enter into undergraduate program in a university. For example, in
748-611: Is offered at schools outside Germany that are accredited by the German government. The five Abitur exams (three written exams and two oral exams) are in the following subjects: German literature, European history or economics or mathematics or a natural science or a language. In February of senior year (grade 12), all students take the written examinations for the German International Abitur in three subjects including German. In late spring, students have mandatory oral examinations in two subjects, which are overseen by
792-736: Is the " apolytirion " (a kind of high school diploma); in Malta it is the Matriculation Certificate (MATSEC), in Hungary it is called "Érettségi Bizonyítvány" which translates to Matriculation Certificate. In Australia, the graduation certificate awarded to high school students is the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE). However, the name of the SSCE varies from state to state. In Victoria, it
836-529: Is typically held towards the end of secondary school . After passing the examination, a student receives a school leaving certificate recognising academic qualifications from secondary-level education. Depending on scores or grades achieved, a student may then matriculate to university to take up further studies. The following matriculation examinations are conducted: Fachhochschule A Fachhochschule ( German: [ˈfaxhoːxʃuːlə] ; plural Fachhochschulen ), abbreviated FH ,
880-789: Is usually an extensive project on a current practical or scientific aspect of the profession. In an effort to make educational degrees more compatible within Europe, the German Diplom degrees were mostly phased out by 2010 and replaced by the European bachelor's and master's degree. The Fachhochschule represents a close relationship between higher education and the employment system. Their practical orientation makes them very attractive to employers. Today, Fachhochschulen also conduct research. Research projects are either publicly funded or sponsored by industry. Nevertheless, in Germany
924-527: The Abiturreglement , a law, for the first time within Germany, establishing the Abitur as an official qualification. It was later also established in the other German states. In 1834, it became the only university entrance exam in Prussia, and it remained so in all states of Germany until 1998. Since then, the German state of Hesse allows students with Fachhochschulreife (see below) to study at
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#1732764859537968-664: The Hauptschulabschluss and the Realschulabschluss , do not allow their holders to matriculate at a university. Those granted certificates of Hauptschulabschluss or Realschulabschluss can gain a specialized Fachhochschulreife or an Abitur if they graduate from a Berufsschule and then attend Berufsoberschule or graduate from a Fachoberschule . However, the Abitur is not the only path to university studies, as some universities set up their own entrance examinations. Students who successfully passed
1012-502: The Abitur has steadily increased since the 1970s, and younger jobholders are more likely to hold the Abitur than older ones. The percentage of students qualified for tertiary education is still lower than the OECD average. Percentage of students graduating with Abitur or FHR ( Studienberechtigtenquote ): Percentage of 'jobholders' holding Hauptschulabschluss , Realschulabschluss or Abitur in Germany : The International Abitur
1056-466: The Abitur to consist of written exams including at least two foreign languages (almost always Latin and French, the latter sometimes replaced by English). Students, who received the Notabitur during World War II were offered to re-enter school to prepare for and take the exam after the war had ended. Those special Abitur preparation classes were made up of young adults of different age and sex, which
1100-484: The Abitur usually requires a composite score of at least 50%. Students with a score below that minimum fail and do not receive an Abitur . There are some other conditions that the student also has to meet in order to receive the Abitur : taking mandatory courses in selected subject areas, and limits to the number of failing grades in core subjects. Finally, students often have the option of omitting some courses from their composite score if they have taken more courses than
1144-490: The Bologna process , most German Universitäten and Fachhochschulen have ceased admitting students to programs leading to the traditional German Diplom (FH) , but now apply the new degree standard of Bachelor's and Master's degrees. In line with the Bologna process, bachelor's and master's degrees awarded by both types of universities ( Universitäten and Fachhochschulen ) are legally equivalent. With
1188-586: The Fachhochschulreife (FHR) . It was introduced in West Germany in the 1970s together with the Fachhochschulen . It enables the graduate to start studying at a Fachhochschule and, in Hesse, also at a university within that state. In the Gymnasiums of some states it is awarded in the year before the Abitur is reached. However, the normal way to obtain Fachhochschulreife is graduation from
1232-627: The Fraunhofer Society or the Max Planck Society ). There are a few universities, such as Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and Bundeswehr University Munich , which run Fachhochschule courses in addition to their normal courses. It is also important to note that in the 1990s, some universities of applied sciences were developed from former GDR universities with the right to award doctoral and post-doctoral degrees in order to cut costs. These include, for example,
1276-536: The Swiss Federal Council in 1998 and two private UAS approved by the Federal Council in 2005 and 2008. The public UAS are run by one or more cantons . UAS have the institutional mandate to provide degree programmes ( Bachelor's degrees and Master's degrees ), continuing education and training, to conduct applied research and to offer services to companies and institutions. Students with
1320-799: The 10th grade and doing well on an IQ test (see: Hochbegabtenstudium ). In German, the European Baccalaureate is called europäisches Abitur , and the International Baccalaureate is called internationales Abitur , neither to be confused with the German Abitur . The French-German Baccalaureate is called deutsch-französisches Abitur , and is equivalent both to the German Abitur and to the French Baccalauréat . The term Fachabitur
1364-509: The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. In these institutions, the classic university spirit lives on to this day. The Austrian government decided to establish Fachhochschulen (FH) in 1990. In the academic year of 2010/11, there were twenty-one institutions officially considered as Fachhochschulen plus a number of other providers of Fachhochschulstudiengängen with a total of over 27,000 students. About
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1408-408: The beginning of the 21st century, many states adopted centralized exams. In 2013, all other states except Rheinland-Pfalz also introduced centralized written exams at least in the core subjects (German, mathematics and the first foreign language, usually English). The exams are structured as follows: The Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK) of several states expanded the exams to scientific subjects and
1452-475: The generic term in Germany for institutions awarding academic degrees in higher education, or expanded as Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW) , the German translation of "universities of applied sciences", which were primarily designed with a focus on teaching professional skills. This is reflected in the fact that the ratio of the number of students to the number of professors is significantly better than at traditional universities. However, there are also
1496-587: The last and second last school year, is the document which contains their grades and formally enables them to attend university . Thus, it encompasses the functions of both a school graduation certificate and a college entrance exam. Abitur confers Allgemeine Hochschulreife (allows students to enter university or Fachhochschule ), while there are other ways of obtaining it. In 2005, some 231,000 students obtained Allgemeine Hochschulreife in Germany. This number rose over time to around 263,000 in 2021. Of those, most obtained their Allgemeine Hochschulreife at
1540-423: The meantime, however, some professors at HAW also have additional habilitations and can therefore directly supervise doctoral students at their home university. This and the rule that they give priority to hiring professors with a professional career of at least three years outside the university system additional to the doctoral degree are the two major ways in which they differ from traditional universities. Due to
1584-485: The minimum required. The best possible grade of 1.0 can be achieved if the score ranges between 823 and 900 points; the fraction of students achieving this score is normally only around 0.2%–3% even among the already selective population of Abitur candidates. Around 12%–30% of Abitur candidates achieve grades between 1.0 and 1.9. Historically, very few people received their Abitur in Germany because many attractive jobs did not require one. The number of persons holding
1628-460: The right to confer doctoral degrees is still generally reserved to Universitäten . In 2016, however, Fulda University of Applied Sciences became the first Fachhochschule to be conferred this right for its graduate center for social sciences. Several Fachhochschulen run doctoral programs where the degree itself is awarded by a partner university in Germany or abroad (similar to the doctoral programs in German research institutes , such as
1672-460: The school. In some parts of Germany students may prepare a presentation, research paper or participate in a competition, and may take additional oral exams to pass the Abitur if the written exam is poor. Before reunification , Abitur exams were given locally in West Germany , but Bavaria has conducted centralized exams ( Zentralabitur ) since 1854. After reunification, most states of the former East Germany continued centralized exams, and at
1716-468: The social sciences. The physics and chemistry exams include an experiment that must be performed and analyzed. Each semester of a subject studied in the final two years yields up to 15 points for a student, where advanced courses may count double, depending on the state. The final examinations each count quadruple. The exact scoring system depends on the Bundesland in which one takes Abitur. Passing
1760-497: The states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana this is known as Board of Intermediate Examination (BIE). For professional, specialist programs and well reputed institutions there are entrance tests. For engineering there is a Joint Engineering Entrance Joint Entrance Examination conducted at all India level. For medical undergraduate MBBS programs there is a national eligibility and entrance test known as NEET-UG National Eligibility and Entrance Test conducted at all of India. There
1804-693: The universities within that state. The academic level of the Abitur is comparable to the International Baccalaureate , the GCE Advanced Level and the Advanced Placement tests . The study requirements for the International Baccalaureate differ little from the German exam requirements. It is the only school-leaving certificate in all states of Germany that allows the graduate (or Abiturient ) to move directly to university . The other school leaving certificates,
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1848-490: The war ). The Notabitur during World War I included an examination, roughly equivalent to the Abitur exam. The World War II Notabitur , in contrast, was granted without an examination. After the war this was a major disadvantage for the students concerned since, unlike its World War I counterpart, the certificate was generally not recognised in West Germany and never recognised in East Germany . Universities requested
1892-400: Was used in all of Western Germany for a variation of the Abitur until the 1990s; the official term for the German qualification is fachgebundene Hochschulreife . This qualification includes only one foreign language (usually, English). The Abitur , in contrast, usually requires two foreign languages. The Fachabitur also allows the graduate to start studying at a university but is limited to
1936-822: Was very unusual at the time. The equivalent graduation certificate in the Czech Republic , Austria , Poland , Italy and other countries of continental Europe is the Matura ; while in England, Wales , Northern Ireland , Singapore , and the West Indies , it is A-levels ; in Scotland it is Higher Grade ; in the Republic of Ireland it is the Leaving Certificate ; in Greece and Cyprus it
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