Higher education in Germany Scientific infrastructure in the land of poets and thinkers

In Germany, access to higher education is regarded as an basic right to education. How is higher education organised, what requirements have to be fulfilled in order to study, and what must foreign students and researchers watch out for?

Yes, English is by all means the language of science. Less than one per cent of all scientific publications worldwide are today written in German. Despite this, there are still many good reasons to learn German.

It is only possible to understand higher education in the US in light of the intensified concentration of wealth in the country during the last thirty years.

Academics like to look down their nose at colleagues who are committed networkers. But they fail to understand that connections are essential for a successful career in academia too.

Whether at a research institution or a company: scientific consultants and scientific managers are needed everywhere that scientific research is conducted.

Physicists working in the private sector can expect a salary significantly higher than average. If physicists remain in teaching and research, diverse opportunities are available, but are associated with a fairly average income.

The tariff structure for academics' salaries is very transparent in Germany. This is a good approach in light of the many different payment models in academia. It is important to note that this career will not make you rich!

Professors in Switzerland enjoy high salaries and excellent career prospects at institutions such as ETH Zurich. What is the academic career path for a researcher in Switzerland?

Many postdocs are academic staff working at a university or research institution. Their salary is not generous, but much better than that of doctoral students.