Bachelor Thesis - Christina Kuenen - Hufpfleger

9. ANNEX
9.1 Education in Germany
9.1.1 Different education systems
In Germany a variety of education systems exist. Next to university training, which is regualted through the
“Hochschulbildungsgesetz (HschBG)” the “Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBIG)” divides between education for occupational
preparation, vocational training, occupational further education and occupational retraining. This means a lot of
possibilities for people to continue their education after finishing school.
9.1.1.1 University training
In Germany around 400 universities and colleges exist. They offer more than 4000 study programs (destatis, 2011). The
number is growing. These educations focus on scientific work. There exist entrance regulations for universities. This
means that you have to finish school with the “Allgemeine Hochschulreife” after 12 or 13 years to be able to follow
these programs. Another possibility is the visit of a college. There do exist lower entrance regulations. You just have to
finish school with the “Fachhochschulreife” after 11 to 12 years. Further a vocational training leads to the entrance
agreement for a college (ZAV, 2008). In the course of “lifelong learning” there are also other possibilities to follow
scientific further education as “side beginner” (BMBF, 2008). The courses are divided into two semesters per year. With
the following graduations the different study programs can be completed: “Diplom” is the degree for study programs
like architecture. The study is split up into the two parts, the basic and the main study. It takes around eight semesters.
The “Bachelor” degree can be obtained after a six semester study. Following a four semester “Master” study can be
done. Some study programs still exist which can be completed with the “Staatsexamen”. This is a leaking model (ZAV,
2008). Further degrees like “Doktor” or “Professor” can be obtained through special studies and thesis`.
At some of the universities and colleges the students have to pay tuition fees of around 200 to 500 Euro per semester
(ZAV, 2008).
9.1.1.3 Vocational training in businesses
Next to the universities also businesses are offering education. For a vocational training at least 10 years of school visit
have to be certificated. Around 350 certificated educations exist. These are more focussed on practical experience (ZAV,
2008). Mostly it is organized double-tracked: A business offers practical knowledge and a vocational school the
theoretical one. For some occupations, like kinder garden educators, also full-time school trainings are offered. Usually
vocational trainings in businesses are paid. Most pupils of the school trainings have to pay fees each year. The duration
of such an education takes around two to three and a half years depending on the previous educational level (ZAV,
2008). The vocational part is organized through the federal republic. They develop educational regulations. This
determines the content and aims of the vocational training. The legal frame gives the vocational training act (BIBB,
2003; ZAV, 2008).The school part is organized by the provinces and coordinated with the federal parties (BIBB, 2003).
Especially in skilled trades models like 'step by step' educations with integrated intermediate examination between two
degrees or the education in co-operation systems is common nowadays (HWK, 2011).
9.1.1.4 Occupational further education and retraining
In addition to a completed education course or study it is possible to follow further educations for adults. There exist
courses to maintain the occupational capacity to act or to gain more knowledge and being promoted (BRD, 2005). One
example is the “Meister” in trade occupations, what is a certificated further education. The farrier is also comparable
with this, because it is a further education for adults in addition to a completed vocational training (BRD, 2006a).
Next to the certificated educations also private institutes offer courses. For some of them no pre-requirements have to be
met. Due to the changing work world, new requirements and missing educational regulations these courses are mostly
accepted in the special branch of industry (BfA, 2009). The education programmes can be completed with internal
examinations, but are not certificated by state (BfA, 2009). The participants usually have to pay for these further
educations. The amount of fees varies (BfA, 2009). This is the way a lot of hoof treatment practitioners gain their
knowledge about hoof treatment.
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