Studying is possible at universities and universities of applied sciences. The combination of family and study requires good time management, but is also supported by numerous offers.

A professional career is always preceded by school or vocational training, often followed by a degree. Studying is possible here in Germany in different fields at universities and colleges.

Many of these training centres offer a wide range of support services for students with families, e.g. counselling, leave of absence, childcare, part-time studies, etc. Please contact the university of your choice for more information.

To practise many professions, such as doctor or lawyer, a completed degree is absolutely necessary. Other courses of study are not intended for the exercise of a special occupation, but rather as entrance into a certain, elevated field of study, like e.g. economics or natural sciences.

In a course of study one attends lectures, which are supplemented by exercises, internships, self-study and seminars. The level of knowledge is examined in sub-sections. It can be asked in writing or orally. Normally the study is completed by a scientific examination paper.

In order to be admitted to a course of study, certain requirements must be met. In general, a higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) is required.
In Germany, people without one of these school-leaving qualifications can also study if they are professionally qualified and have a secondary school leaving certificate. Depending on the educational institution and course of study, special examinations may also be required for a course of study. Some degree programmes are subject to a restriction on admission (numerus clausus). The study advisory service of the respective university will be happy to advise you.

There are a large number of different study programmes. Use the links offered for family and career to find out more. Very often, different study programmes are offered in one subject or subject area, which then end with different degrees (e.g. Bachelor, Diplom, Akademiebrief, Staatsexamen, Magister, Master, Meisterschüler, Lizentiat, Promotion). These usually also qualify for different professions or career paths.

Questions and answers

For admission-free and locally restricted study programs, the standard application dates are January 15th for the summer semester and July 15th for the winter semester. However, some courses differ from these rules and have their own deadlines. For subjects such as art, music and design or sport, previous application dates apply, as special entrances exams have to be taken at application in order to be committed. So check the respective university website to see when the deadlines end. National admissions restricted courses, such as medicine, dentist, veterinary, medicine and pharmacy, require an application through The Foundation for higher Education Admission. Even with the courses with restrictions on admission, you may have to take an entrances exam and participate in a selection process.. On www.hochschulkompass.de, "Study " under "Application & Approval " contains all important information to read. There you will find an overview of the deadlines and date.

• Additional requirements for pregnant women according to (§ 21 Abs. 2 SGB II)
The application must be submitted to the responsible job centre from the 13th week of pregnancy. You must complete a complete ALG II application. If you are not on leave and continue to study regularly, you should enclose a separate letter in which only the additional requirements are requested.
Additionally also unique achievements can be requested e.g. for maternity clothes, baby equipment, baby buggies and further after (§ 24 exp. 3 SGB II)
This application must be submitted to the relevant job centre from the 6th month of pregnancy onwards.
• Single parent additional needs according to (§ 21 Abs. 3 SGB II)
If you have a child under seven or 2 children under 16, you can register an additional need as a single parent.
• Federal Foundation Mother and Child
Financial assistance is provided by the Bundesstiftung Mutter und Kind in cases of particular hardship. The financial hardship of the mother-to-be determines the duration and amount of the support.
• BAföG allowances with child
As a parent, you may earn more per child free of charge. For more information, please contact your local Studentenwerk.
• Special regulations for BAföG with child
For every child under 10 years of age, whether bodily or adopted, you will receive a childcare supplement in addition to the normal BAföG.
With a child, you can receive BAföG beyond the standard period of study without increasing the BAföG debt. This applies to both fathers and mothers.