At the lower level, children in Germany begin their education in a very similar manner to those in the United States. Children can attend ‘pre-school’ from the ages of 3-6 years old, which is paid for by the state. Compulsory schooling begins after that, and lasts for the next 11-12 years. Because Germany is composed of sixteen states, and education is run by each individual states (and not run by the federal government), differences appear in education from state to state. While the influence of the federal government may not exist, it does offer financial aid to the states for development and maintenance of education in the country.
Secondary education is divided into four different types of schools: Gymnasium, Realschule, Hauptschule, and Gesamtschule. After completing and passing compulsory schools, students may choose to attend any of the types of secondary schools. The first type, gymnasium, exists to prepare students for university level education. The next, Realschule, evokes a broader range of study and ends with an examination. Next, the Hauptschule, is a vocational preparation institution focusing on specific vocations and is the least academic of the four divisions. Finally there is Gesamtschule, which is a comprehensive school.
After completion of any secondary school, most students move on to an apprenticeship that offers hands-on experience in a vocational environment. The special school, Berufsschule, offers enrollment in various trade associations that allow students to earn part time salaries, and develop experience working in a particular trade.
Although the population of Germany is well over 82.5 million people, only 19 percent of adults receive higher education at the university level. Compared to other industrialized nations, this is considered relatively low. There are numerous colleges and universities (totaling more than 90) and they offer a wide range of study areas. Specialized or trade schools provide secondary education in areas of technology, science, and engineering. Appealing to the international student, Germany has about 60 private universities that offer more of an international focus. Private universities in Germany charge tuition, while the public universities are free to German citizens and EU citizens, as long as students complete the programs in a normal fashion. (Foreign students are accepted, as long as they are fluent in German and complete a higher level entrance exam).