and Master Programmes in German Higher Education Institutions

press their intention to introduce B/M within the next three years in all Engineering programmesfor which this makes sense academically. They define two profiles for these programmes,an applied one (BEng, MEng) and a research-oriented one (BSc, MSc) and statethat, while their members can in principal offer both types of degrees, they will focus on thelatter one. This can be understood as a means to position themselves vis-à-vis the Fachhochschulen.They also stress that institutions should have the right to keep the traditional“Diplom-Ingenieur” and, contrary to the KMK interpretation of the HRG, to offer one-cycleMaster programmes. They make clear that they see the Bachelor degree chiefly as a way toallow for international mobility or as a structuring device on which to build a second studycycle with an individual (e.g. interdisciplinary) focus. In other words, they expect most studentsto continue their studies to the Master level.The situation of the Academies of Art and Music (Musik- und Kunsthochschulen) deservesspecial notice. Their representative bodies have decided not to introduce Bachelor andMaster programmes. The Music Academies hold that a degree below the Master level doesnot make sense in their subject area as five to six years are needed to qualify for the labourmarket. A three year Bachelor programme would be impossible and a four year Bachelorwould imply that the consecutive Master basically consists of exam preparation, which doesnot make sense. They also argue that due to their strict process of student selection, there isno need for a shorter degree for “less interested” students. Finally, German Music Academieshave a high international reputation and a high percentage of international studentsalready (22% international students in Academies of Art and Music in winter semester2000/01), and the fact that the German degree titles are unknown abroad does not reallymatter as the performance is the decisive employment criterion HRK (2000b). Anotherrelevant reason that makes it difficult to establish the Bachelor degree in this sector is thatthe major employer for performing musicians is the public sector (public orchestra andtheatres) which so far do not accept the Bachelor degree. For the Art Academies, the situationis similar. The Conference of the Presidents and Rectors of German Art opposes theintroduction of Bachelor degrees and supports Master degrees only as additional postgraduatequalifications after the Diplom (Conference Protocol, June 21, 1999). 72 In light ofthese positions, it is understandable that the arts and music institutions that participated inthe survey indicated that they are either in principal against or are undecided about introducingthese degrees.Theological Schools (Theologische Hochschulen) and Schools of Education (PädagogischeHochschulen) have so far not introduced any B/M programmes either. Theological Schoolsare chiefly devoted to the education of future pastors and priests as well as the education ofschool teachers of religion and thus will not implement B/M unless the employers of theirgraduates, churches and the state, ask them to do so. It is unlikely that churches will do so,as the standards for entry into traineeship for pastors and priests are set by the current examat the Master level. Schools of Education exist only in Baden-Württemberg, in other Länderthey have been integrated into the universities. Apart from some Diplom programmes, theSchools of Education are devoted to teacher education for lower secondary schools. Themajor employer of their graduates is the Land Baden-Württemberg. As long as there is no72 A handful of Art Academies, like the Universität der Künste, introduced such postgraduate Master programmesin innovative areas, like multimedia, some also introduce Bachelor degrees in spite of the conference’sposition.61