Understanding School in Germany

Integrated career and vocational education
and training (duale Aus bil dung), university,
or a work-study degree programme (duales
Studium)? They are all equally good!
Let your child decide.
13.1
Career and vocational education and training and/or
university studies: This is how you get the training and
education you need in Germany for an occupation.
In Germany, there are two motorways so to speak that are available after
finishing school. The one takes you down the road towards career and
vocational education and training and the other to studying at university.
Young people either start with career and vocational training or studying at
a university or a higher education institution.
13.2
In Germany there are different variations of career and
vocational education and training and/or university studies.
The two motorways have many lanes. The five most important are:
Career and vocational school training (schulische Ausbildung):
Your child learns an occupation at a vocational school.
Integrated career and vocational education and training (duale Ausbildung):
Your child learns an occupation through on the job training and attending
a vocational school.
Work-study degree programme (duales Studium):
Your child learns a profession through on the job training and attending
an institution of higher education/university.
University of applied sciences (Fachhochschulstudium):
Your child studies to learn a profession at a university of
applied sciences.
University education (Universitätsstudium):
Your child studies at a university in a specified field of
study.
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