| |
Contents:
0. Introduction
1. Possibilities for Studying in Germany
2. Types of Universities in Germany
3. Tuition Fees at German Universities
4. Foreign Students at German Universities
5. Visa
6. Counseling
7. Enrollment
8. Health Insurance
9. Studying
10. Exams and Degrees
11. Culture, Leisure in Germany
10.1. Office Hours of Teachers
Every university teacher usually holds office hours once per week. Many German universities are, however, highly frequented, and professors and lecturers are no longer able to attend to every student in a thorough manner. Often, the teachers' office hours are too short or cramped. For your own motivation it is important, though, that you don't get the feeling that you drown in anonymity. Therefore, put up with waiting periods and present your request in a concise manner. Most teachers are very friendly in spite of their work load, especially if students know exactly what they want.
10.2. Scientific Papers
Many freshmen worry about the issue of how to correctly compose a seminar paper in form and content. Seminar papers in Germany are possibly differently structured than in their home countries. Intra-institutional or general publications regarding this topic are helpful. Mostly, those guidebooks are named at the introductory seminars. Furthermore, the departmental advisers and the student body representatives ("Fachschaft") can name those works and offer advice. The most important thing is, however, to clarify the issue thoroughly with the professor or his/her assistant and to get back to him/her from time to time to discuss the progress of the work.
10.3. Exams
Aside from written seminar papers you probably have to take diverse written and oral exams.
Klausur: Written and supervised exam, in which the degree of achievement of learning objectives of a course is tested.
Mündliche Prüfung: Conversation between teacher and student about preassigned assessment load.
Diplom-Vorprüfung (Vordiplom): Condition for being admitted to the main study period ("Hauptstudium") is the successful completion of the basic study period ("Grundstudium"). The student has to prove in writing and possibly orally that he/she has gained the basic knowledge of his/her study subject and has mastered the techniques of scientific research.
Zwischenprüfung: Written and possibly oral exam in arts and humanities at the end of the basic study period.
Diplom: Final exam in the fields of natural, engineering, economic and social sciences. The exam consists of a written and an oral part as well as possibly an experimental part.
Staatsprüfung/Staatsexamen: Some courses of study qualify for the academic civil service (e.g. studying for lectureship, jurisprudence). Then the states dictate the examination regulations, and exams are state-supervised. Often, the "Staatsexamen" is subdivided in two staggered parts (1st and 2nd "Staatsexamen"); the candidate gains practical experience in between those parts. An employment in the civil service sector is not guaranteed, though.
Kirchliche Prüfung: The study of Protestant or Catholic theology can be completed with an ecclesiastical exam. It usually consists of two parts. The first part is comprised of written and oral exams. The second part consists of a scientific paper.
Magister Artium (M.A.): Final exam mainly in the arts and humanities. The exam includes a written paper as well as written and oral exams.
Bachelor (B.A., B.Sc., Bachelor of Engineering o.ä.): Degree qualifying for employment after 6 or 8 semesters. After graduating, you can enter the workforce or gain a "Magister Artium" or "Diplom" degree after further 2 to 4 semesters at a university.
Master (M.A., M.Sc., Master of Engineering o.ä.): Degree qualifying for employment, which also encompasses the right to enter a doctoral program. Condition for accessing a Masters program is a Bachelor degree, occasionally also a successfully passed "Diplom-Vorprüfung" or a "Zwischenprüfung".
Doktorprüfung: Post graduation academic exam at the end of the doctoral program. The "Doktorprüfung" consists of a scientific paper ("Dissertation") and an oral exam ("Rigorosum" or "Disputation").
| | |