In the annual league of top-ranking universities compiled by Shanghai Jiaotong University in 2004, Germany was 4th overall, with 7 universities in the top 100. The highest ranking German university, at number 45, was the Technical University of Munich. Most German universities are state-owned and until recently did not charge for tuition; a 2006 education reform measure calls for fees of around €500 per semester from each student.

At the universities, for many decades a master’s level degree was the first degree available and only the recent higher education reforms, which have introduced two-level programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s level have opened a chance to leave university earlier. The bachelor’s degree was introduced to avoid the drastic rates of non-completers, which in some university subjects were as high as 75%. The Fachhochschulen – universities of applied science offer shorter and more practice-oriented programs. They generally lead to credentials at the bachelor’s level, but more and more Fachhochschulen also offer master’s programs for those students eligible for further study. A number of colleges of art and music offer programs in these areas.

Higher education in a more international setting and with English as the language of instruction is offered by several American and British institutions. Some of these have established a campus of their own in Germany, such as Schiller International University in Heidelberg. Other institutions operate in close co-operation with German state institutions, for instance, Duke University with Goethe-Universität Frankfurt. There are also some newer German institutions which include the word ‘international’ with their name, such as the International University in Bremen or International University of Germany in Bruchsal, both of which are German-founded and follow state-approved curricula.

Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
Senckenberganlage 31
60325 Frankfurt am Main
49 (0)69 7981
www.uni-frankfurt.de
Since it was established in 1914, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University has developed into one of the most famous universities in Germany. It offers 35,000 students a broad spectrum of subjects in 16 faculties in research and teachings. Within the framework of its courses, great importance is attached to the transfer of excellent methodical and specialist academic knowledge.

University of Applied Sciences -Fachhochschule Frankfurt am Main
Nibelungenplatz 1
60318 Frankfurt am Main
49 (0)69 15330
www.fh-frankfurt.de
The University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, offers an academic education with a clear practical orientation. As one of the leading universities of applied sciences in Germany, it offers around 30 courses in 4 faculties: architecture and civil engineering, computer science and engineering, business and law, social work and health.

The Adult Education Centre – Volkshochschule Frankfurt am Main (VHS)
Sonnemannstraße 13
60314 Frankfurt am Main
49 (0)69 212 71501
www.vhs.frankfurt.de
The Adult Education Centre in Frankfurt is the largest adult education centre in Hesse. With 140 employees and around 1,200 course instructors, we conduct some 4,500 events with almost 50,000 participants a year.