NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

I. The higher education system
I.1. Types of higher education institutions
The following types of higher education institutions award academic degrees in the Federal Republic of Germany (figures in
brackets correct as at June 1994):
universities, technical universities, comprehensive universities, as well as higher education institutions that only offer
special subjects (105);
Fachhochschulen (134);
teacher training colleges (7);
colleges of art and colleges of music (48).
With very few exceptions, the higher education institutions in the Federal Republic of Germany are public institutions.
Characteristic of higher education institutions is their right to self-administration, their right to administer academic
examinations and to award academic degrees, as well as the right to recruit academic staff. Private State-recognised
institutions of higher education have the same level and qualitative status with regard to studies offered and degrees conferred
as State institutions.
I.1.1. Universities
Universities, technical universities, comprehensive universities as well as institutions of higher education only offering special
subject areas have the function of carrying out research, offering teaching and study opportunities, as well as promoting young
academic talent. Accordingly, they have the right to confer doctoral degrees and professorial qualifications (Habilitation).
As a rule, the range of subjects offered includes theology, the humanities, law, economics, the social sciences, science and
engineering, the agricultural sciences and medicine. The term ‘university’ includes various institutions specialising in
medicine, veterinary medicine, administrative studies or sport sciences, as well as the federal armed forces’ universities where
officers study.
The churches have higher education institutions of their own for the
training of theologians, or departments in addition to the theology departments at public universities.
After acquiring a doctoral degree, professors and lecturers have usually proved their academic achievements in research and
teaching in an additional procedure (Habilitation).
Universities are divided into faculties or departments. Special research departments may be set up to promote cross-faculty
research.
Comprehensive universities (Universitäten — Gesamthochschulen), in Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, combine in one
institution the functions of the universities, teacher training colleges and Fachhochschulen, and in part also the functions of
the colleges of art and of music.
I.1.2. Fachhochschulen