Earlier completion of the first university degree
Now, not only will it be possible for students at polytechnic schools to obtain an initial university degree after only six to eight to semesters, but for university students as well.
Flexible qualification
Armed with a good Bachelor’s degree, students can
- select to pursue Master programmes in the same specialist field
- choose another Master programme in related or completely different fields of study
- decide to acquire practical, on-the-job training.
This straightforward transition between Bachelor and Master programmes is very practical for students wishing to transfer to another university in Germany or abroad.
One advantage of commencing their working careers earlier is that young people can also start earning money earlier. Students joining a company at a younger age will have better advancement opportunities, while those wishing to continue their education in a Master programme will greatly profit from the experience they can gain from several years of work.
However, the two-tier system does pose new limitations: the universities will now be able to select students themselves, e.g. on the basis of grades, diplomas and aptitude test results. This selection process pertains not only to Bachelor’s degree programmes, but must be repeated when applying for Master programmes.
Improved Academic Compliance
Academic reforms in Germany are also meant to restructure academic content – the better the academic programmes are structured, the more students will learn and the more a practical approach to education can be stressed. The idea is to emphasise both theoretical learning and real-life practical applications right from the start, i.e. to combine theory and related concrete applications. The modules are structured in such a way that the results of each test provide students with an immediate indication of their academic progress.
An Internationally Recognised System
Bachelor and Master’s degrees are recognised by universities and potential employers the world over, this system make it easier for students to transfer to other international institutions or to find work in other countries. It is important to note that these changes in academic structure will in no way alter Germany’s excellent reputation in engineering studies.