School and degrees
A professional career is always preceded by school or vocational training. Schools and educational institutions differ here in the length of time they spend at school, the qualifications they can obtain, any specialisation they have and the way in which knowledge is taught.
Compulsory schooling begins at the age of six. The duration of compulsory schooling is nine or ten years, depending on the federal state. Especially in Saxony, it is currently nine years. The school landscape is varied, depending on the federal state there are differences. Children in Saxony attend primary school for four years.
After that, there is a change to either the Gymnasium, Realschule or Hauptschule on the basis of a performance assessment by the teachers. In some federal states there are alternative comprehensive schools where children are taught together regardless of their performance.
It doesn't matter which way you go, at the end you get a school-leaving certificate according to the school you attended.
Possible school-leaving qualifications are:
- School-leaving qualifications in the funding priority Learning
- School-leaving certificate in the field of intellectual development
- Lower secondary school leaving certificate / qualifying lower secondary school leaving certificate
- Secondary school leaving certificate
- General qualification for university entrance (Abitur)
- Advanced technical college certificate
- Study qualification and degree in a recognised dual training occupation
- Recognition of foreign qualifications
In vocational schools or colleges, the same school-leaving qualifications can be achieved as in general schools. Here, however, additional technical specialisation is taught in areas such as technology, commerce, graphics, etc. At some of these vocational schools it is even possible to complete part or all of the training leading to a vocational qualification.
Questions and answers
What is the second way of education?
To achieve a professional, you may require a specific degree. You can do every school, even if you are already in the workplace.
While you can do a degree at night school. At colleges, it is possible to completion full-time. The federal employment agency advise you.
Checklist
Document
Many ways to success
Brochure about the Saxon school system
Federal state of Saxony - www.publikationen.sachsen.de
Application for promotion of voluntary activities
Application for a grant to carry out and promote voluntary services. The horizons of young adults can be meaningfully and effectively expanded in a social and ecological institution. Send application to: Kommunaler Sozialverband Sachsen
Freistaat Sachsen (Federal state of Saxony) - www.amt24.sachsen.de
Request for BAföG grants for students at elementary schools, high schools and vocational schools and colleges
Under certain conditions, students can get financial assistance (BAföG) at elementary schools, high schools and colleges.Send application to: City of Dresden, SG education
Freistaat Sachsen (Federal state of Saxony) - www.amt24.sachsen.de
The Saxon school system
The Saxon school system in a map in a simplified representation, without the second education path.
Federal state of Saxony - www.schule.sachsen.de
Helpful Links
Vocational schools in Saxony – sachsen.de
Directory including specializations and special forms of schools
General schools in Saxony - sachsen.de
Directory including specializations and special forms of schools
Second education in Saxony - sachsen.de
Information about adult education in Saxony
Information about alternative schools - SCOYO
The online magazine for parents around learning, school, family life & media literacy. Information about alternative schools: Waldorf, Montessori & Co.
School database Land Saxony - sachsen.de
Directory of all educational institutions in Saxony
Training courses and degrees - Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Countries in the Federal Republic of Germany
Information about training up to the general qualification for university entrance.
