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.

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!

British universities are regarded in Germany as the benchmark for all reforms. This is absurd.

Although there are positive signs of change, working conditions for postdocs in Germany remain difficult. Andreas Keller, director of the GEW explains exactly where the problems lie and what changes still need to be made.

Doctorates following the traditional model still make up the majority of PhDs in Germany compared to structured programmes. For doctoral candidates from abroad, a traditional PhD requires a great deal of initiative, autonomy and tenacity.