Understanding School in Germany

My child will go to university.
15.1
Every university is different.
There are innumerable courses of studies.
When it comes to integrated career and vocational education and training
(duale Ausbildung), it does not matter in which German federal state young
people get their education. For example, training for office administrators
has the same curriculum in Aachen, Berlin, or Zwickau.
However, with universities this is different. Each German federal state
is responsible for its universities. There are thousands of courses of studies
(Studiengänge). Exactly how many there are is anyone’s guess because much
happens each year with respect to courses. Even in the same or similar area
of studies there are differences which can be important.
Example: European studies are taught at many universities, however, the
curricula can have different areas of focus: European history, education,
culture, business, law, politics, or work in European Union institutions.
15.2
There are three types of academic degrees:
Bachelor of Arts or Science, Master of Arts or Science
and the Doctorate/(PhD).
Germany used to have its own kind of academic degrees (akademische
Abschlüsse). They were entitled Diplom, Magister, and Staatsexamen. However,
some years ago Germany adopted the three internationally recognised
academic degrees. These are:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc)
This is the first level of study. To be awarded this undergraduate degree,
a person must study for a minimum period of three years.
Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc)
This is the second level of study. To be awarded this graduate degree,
a person must study for an additional two-year minimum period.
Doctoral Degree/Doctorate (Dr)/(PhD)
This is the third level. To be awarded this graduate degree, a person must
study for yet another three-year minimum period and publish a dissertation
(a scientific or academic paper). This course of studies usually takes longer
than three years to complete.
For law, medical, and teaching degrees, Germany still uses the Staatsexamen
(this is similar to a bar or licensing exam).
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