Study systems in Europe

Degrees are divided into three cycles:

• Bachelor – usually 3–4 years,
• Master – usually 1–2 years, after a bachelor's degree,
• Doctorate (Promotion) – usually 3–5 years.

Some programmes do not end with a bachelor's degree but with a state examination (Staatsexamen) – this is how you study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and law, among others. It usually takes 4–6 years. Some universities also still offer the old single-cycle degrees ending with a Diplom or Magister Artium (4–6 years).

The academic year is divided into a winter semester (Wintersemester) and a summer semester (Sommersemester).

Germany – bachelor's programmes
Germany – integrated (single-cycle) programmes
Germany – master's programmes