A university education has traditionally had a very high standing in Germany

University Education in Bavaria

University Education in Bavaria
Bavarian universities offer both students and staff high educational standards and a wide range of academic choices. Bavaria is regarded as one of the scientific and technological centres of Europe boasting first-class research institutes, universities and colleges. In recent decades, Bavaria has developed from an agrarian state to a first-rate international location for science and research. Bavaria's universities have been and continue to be a major source of innovation and progress. They enjoy an excellent reputation. In fact, Bavarian universities are regularly at the top of nationwide rankings. Much has changed at the universities themselves, particularly in the last few years: Bavarian universities find themselves in a dynamic process of modernisation and internationalization.

The Bavarian university landscape is diverse and sophisticated, consisting of:

• Nine state universities (Universitäten)
• Seventeen state universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen)
• Five state universities of arts (Kunsthochschulen)
• A range of other institutions of higher education run by municipal, church and private bodies

Whereas the universities focus on academic training and research, the universities of applied sciences provide a more practice-oriented course specifically for occupations in the fields of commerce, technology, media and social work. A further, futuristic source of education already available is Bavaria's Virtual University.

The kind of degree diploma you will be awarded depends on the programme studied. Programmes end with the international degrees

• Bachelor (approx. 6 - 8 semesters)
• Master (approx. 2 - 4 semesters after a Bachelore's degree), or with the traditional German degrees
• Diploma (approx. 8 - 10 semesters)
• Magister (approx. 8 - 10 semesters)

Courses in Medicine, Pharmacy, Food Chemistry, Law and all courses leading to a teaching qualification usually end in a State Examination. Theological subjects may end in an ecclesiastical examination. After your Master's, Diplom, Magister or State Examination, you can study for a Doctorate (only at the Universitaten!). An exceptionally qualified Bachelor's degree may also in certain cases - entitle students to pursue a doctor's degree.

Bavarian universities are in the process of implementing more and more courses leading to Bachelor's and Master's degrees. These degrees are attuned to international standards and will eventually replace the German degrees Diplom and Magister. The new courses are shorter and their content is modular, consisting of clearly defined and transferable units; the examinations are held at regular intervals during the degree programme. The credits awarded combine to form the final qualification. This credit point system improves the recognition of degrees and academic qualifications, thus enhancing and facilitating student and teacher mobility. For more information on Bachelor and Master degree courses in Bavaria see our homepage http://www.ba-ma.bayern.de/en_index.asp.

Bavaria , as the only state in Germany, has launched a special programme for excellent students: the Elite Network of Bavaria (ENB). At present, it consists of three elements: a support programme for the highly gifted, 21 Elite Graduate Programmes and eleven International Doctorate Programmes. The ENB is aimed at providing excellent education and research opportunities for approx. 2,000 gifted students and 120 post-graduates per year. For more information see our homepage http://www.elitenetzwerk-bayern.de/en/index.html.

The state of Bavaria has introduced tuition fees for all degree programmes at state universities, beginning with the summer semester of 2007. The fees amount to 100 to 500 Euro per semester - for both national and international students . For further information on the tuition fees and on the Bavarian student loan system, contact the university of your choice or see our homepage http://www.stmwfk.bayern.de/studienbeitraege.html (in German).

List of Bavarian universities

List of Universities of Applied Sciences in Bavaria:

List of Academies of Arts in Bavaria: