There are 2.7 million students enrolled at around 400 higher education institutions in Germany
cialist knowledge, and train academics to
in 2005 the ratio of freshmen stood at 37 per-
work and research independently. The 220
cent, around half of young people in Germany
strongly practice-oriented universities of ap-
now take up higher education. The Federal
plied sciences (FH) are unique to Germany.
Training Assistance Act (BAföG) enables
The introduction of the right of universities of
them to complete a degree course independ-
applied sciences to award doctorates, which at
ently of their family’s financial situation.
present only universities are allowed to do, is
Nonetheless, educational success remains
currently under discussion.
closely linked to social background – only
23 percent of children from non-academic
Overall, the number of people engaged in
households embark on a degree. In 2014 there
academic pursuits is increasing: Whereas
were 2.7 million students registered at higher