57-536: Fachhochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft or FHTW is the name for universities of applied sciences ( Fachhochschulen ) with focus on technology and business in Germany. There are several FHTWs in Germany: Fachhochschule A Fachhochschule ( German: [ˈfaxhoːxʃuːlə] ; plural Fachhochschulen ), abbreviated FH , is a university of applied sciences ( UAS ), in other words
114-450: A Fachhochschule was the Diplom (FH) . Coursework generally totaled six semesters (three years) of full-time study, with various options for specialization. In addition, there were one or two practical training semesters to provide hands-on experience in real working environments. The program concluded, usually after 3.5 – 4 years, with the final examination and a thesis ( Diplomarbeit ) which
171-483: A Diplom obtained at a university is, depending on subject, for example referred to as "Diplom-Ingenieur" ( Diplom-Engineer ), "Diplom-Kaufmann" ( Diplom-Merchant ), "Diplom-Biologe" ( Diplom-Biologist ) and so on. In Bavaria, sometimes the postfix "(Univ.)" is added. If the Diplom has been obtained at a University of Applied Sciences ( Fachhochschule ) the postfix "(FH)" has to be added (e.g. Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) ). There are
228-486: A German tertiary education institution that provides professional education in many applied sciences and applied arts, such as engineering, technology, business, architecture, design, and industrial design . Fachhochschulen were first founded in Germany and were later adopted in Austria , Liechtenstein , Switzerland , Cyprus , and Greece . An increasing number of Fachhochschulen are abbreviated as Hochschule ,
285-644: A higher education diploma (δίπλωμα/πτυχίο ανώτατης εκπαίδευσης) is a 4 to 5-year (8-10 semester) (240 ISCED 6 - 300 ECTS ISCED 7) degree, 5-year Diplomas formatted similarly to the German Diplom (Uni), awarded to students of the Greek Engineering Schools and Departments (called Polytechnic in Greece – not to be confused though with the polytechnics of the UK). While every institution has its own individual approaches,
342-448: A Diplôme d'Ingénieur the academic title of Ingénieur Diplômé , which is official and legally protected in France. Before the introduction of the bachelor's and master's degrees in Germany, the standard Science, Engineering or Business degree was the Diplom and could be, in several variations, obtained at several types of institutes of higher education. Obtained at a university, the degree
399-450: A Master's from either, one can now enter a doctoral degree program at a Universität , but a graduate with a bachelor's degree from either is normally unable to proceed directly to a doctoral degree program in Germany. Also, with the master's degree of either of the institutions a graduate can enter the höheren Dienst (higher service) career for civil servants . The Fachhochschule or University of Applied Sciences and Arts
456-552: A diploma in engineering is permitted to sit in the Technical Chamber of Greece exams without any prerequisite. It also allows the engineer to be considered for doctorate studies without taking any additional classes. Since adoption of the 2001 Higher Education Reform Act (Ν. 2916/2001, Ν. 3549/2007, N. 4009/2011) the Technological Educational Institutes (Τεχνολογικά Εκπαιδευτικά Ιδρύματα – TEI) constitute
513-537: A few German graduate schools, such as the Saarbrücken Graduate School of Computer Science or the Berlin Mathematical School also admit students with a bachelor's degree and excellent grades to their doctorate programmes. The Austrian diploma curriculum is a first degree usually structured into 2–3 phases comprising a total of 240–360 ECTS credits (nominally 4–6 years). It typically ends with
570-530: A few rare exceptions where the postfix need not be added, mostly due to older laws, small differences in the laws of the German states or transition rules. Transition rules, for example in engineering, or European Union directives like Directive 2005/36/EC grant certain limited groups with other kinds of related qualifications to also use the designation Diplom . To obtain a Diplom at a university, students had to complete two separate periods of study. The first one
627-592: A final examination after submitting a "Diplomarbeit" (diploma thesis). Depending on the subject, the degrees granted are either Magister/Magistra with a specific suffix (such as Magister philosophiae for philosophy), or Diplom-Ingenieur (in engineering). Notable exceptions are the diploma studies of dentistry and medicine, which result in the degree Doctor medicinae universae (Dr. med. univ.) or Doctor medicinae dentalis (Dr. med. dent.) In most subjects, diplom programmes have already been phased out in favour of separate, Bologna-style Bachelor and Master programmes. However,
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#1732891457437684-582: A finished apprenticeship and a Fachmatura (subject Matura ) and students with the Matura and a practical year in a company can access further education within the Universities for Applied Science. The UAS and their Bachelor's and Master's degrees are federally accredited. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and is in charge of the accreditation of the UAS which are requested to meet
741-432: A holder of a Diploma (FH) wants to join a Masters program and needs to know the number of additional ECTS point to study for to obtain a master's degree. Since the old diploma study programs were all a bit different there is not a single ECTS value or comparison chart for all kinds of diplomas. Almost universally, however, when retroactively calculating ECTS points for Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) degrees they end up well into
798-585: A master's degree (e.g. "Magister iuris") to such students on request. With the implementation of the Bologna process , awarding new Diplom and Magister degrees has become rare, since they are replaced by bachelor's or master's degrees. Already awarded degrees remain valid. 'Diplôme' is the French word for degree or diploma. The French engineering diploma is called Diplôme d'Ingénieur (often abbreviated as Dipl. Ing. ). The French government also grants to all holders of
855-401: A number of subjects, such as social work or the legal sub-discipline of social law, which are traditionally underrepresented at traditional universities. In these areas, universities of applied sciences make a significant contribution to research. UAS professors are also increasingly attracting national and international third-party funding. To support their research activities, they can apply for
912-405: A parallel part of public higher education in Greece. They confer higher education diploma (δίπλωμα/πτυχίο ανώτατης εκπαίδευσης), a 4-year (8 semester) bachelor's degree formatted similarly to the German Diplom (FH) (240 ECTS – ISCED 6). Grades range between 0 and 10, 5 being the passing mark. However, since grading practice differs amongst awarding institutions, a descriptive mark is used, which
969-820: A significant reduction in their teaching load. Swiss law calls Fachhochschulen and universities "separate but equal". In terms of student numbers, universities of applied sciences are on average smaller than traditional universities. However, there are also a number of HAW, such as TH Köln or UAS Frankfurt, which can keep up with large universities in this respect. Due to the Bologna process , universities and Fachhochschulen award legally equivalent bachelor's and master's degrees. Excepting research-intensive institutions in Hesse, Saxony Anhalt, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria Fachhochschulen do not award doctoral degrees themselves but sometimes in cooperation with award-granting partner universities. In
1026-507: A subject completed a subject. Once almost all subjects were completed thesis work could start, but the missing final exams had to be passed latest with the completion of the thesis work. It was typical to perform thesis work in the industry, supervised by a professor from the university of applied science and a senior professional from the company where the work was performed. Although lab work was also permitted as thesis work. The written thesis work needed to be defended in an oral exam after which
1083-452: A thesis had to be written and eventually a series of usually four final exams. It was not unusual for students to need more than two years for the coursework of the Hauptstudium . An obtained Vordiplom and the completion of the coursework of the Hauptstudium were the requirements to register for working on the thesis and for the final exams. However, access to courses of the Hauptstudium
1140-838: A third of the 136 Fachhochschulstudiengänge are organized as part-time courses of studies. The Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences UAS are vocational universities established in Switzerland in 1995 following the model of the German Fachhochschulen. They are called Fachhochschule in German, Haute école specialisée in French and scuola universitaria professionale (SUP) in Italian. The Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences offer third level education, continuing education, services businesses and institutions, and produce applied research activities. In 2013 there are seven public UAS approved by
1197-536: A tighter schedule and a larger number of intermediate and final exams. Subjects were split into those regarded as basic studies and in-depth studies. Unlike the universities the period of basic studies ( Grundstudium ) wasn't completely separated from the period of in-depth studies ( Fachstudium ) by a pre-diploma . Instead of a pre-diploma the passing of one or more intermediate exams in a subject qualified to move forward with that particular subject or start related in-depth subject studies. Passing one or more final exams in
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#17328914574371254-494: Is a type of German institution of higher education that emerged from the traditional Engineering Schools and similar professional schools of other disciplines. It differs from the traditional university ( Universität ) mainly through its more practical orientation. Subjects taught at Fachhochschulen include engineering, computer science, business and management, arts and design, communication studies, social service, and other professional fields. The traditional degree awarded at
1311-555: Is an academic degree in the German-speaking countries Germany , Austria , and Switzerland and a similarly named degree in some other European countries including Albania , Bulgaria , Belarus , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Croatia , Estonia , Finland , Poland , Russia , and Ukraine and only for engineers in France , Greece , Hungary , North Macedonia , Romania , Serbia , Slovenia , and Brazil . The Diplom originates from
1368-410: Is usually accepted as admission into doctorate programs. While the Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) and the Diplom (FH) were the most common Diplom degrees in Germany, further Diploma did and do exist. Those are: In the German language the word Diplom can also be used for certificates of any kind of achievement. It is usually apparent from the context if an academic degree is meant or not, especially when
1425-773: Is usually an extensive project on a current practical or scientific aspect of the profession. In an effort to make educational degrees more compatible within Europe, the German Diplom degrees were mostly phased out by 2010 and replaced by the European bachelor's and master's degree. The Fachhochschule represents a close relationship between higher education and the employment system. Their practical orientation makes them very attractive to employers. Today, Fachhochschulen also conduct research. Research projects are either publicly funded or sponsored by industry. Nevertheless, in Germany
1482-485: The Bologna process , most German Universitäten and Fachhochschulen have ceased admitting students to programs leading to the traditional German Diplom (FH) , but now apply the new degree standard of Bachelor's and Master's degrees. In line with the Bologna process, bachelor's and master's degrees awarded by both types of universities ( Universitäten and Fachhochschulen ) are legally equivalent. With
1539-442: The Diplom degree programmes differed depending on subject and university. An official average duration ( Regelstudienzeit ) was set by law in each German state , usually being four years for a Diplom (FH) and 4, 4.5 or 5 years for a Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) . In exceptional cases, universities were allowed to set longer average durations for certain subjects (HGRP1995 § 26 (3), NHG2007 § 6 (3), HmbHG2001 §53 (3) ). However, due to
1596-478: The Diplom (FH) degrees remain valid indefinitely and are not exchanged for master's or bachelor's degrees. Current German binding recommendations state that the newly German master's and bachelor's degrees come with the same eligibilities as the old degrees Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) and Diplom (FH) , respectively. This is, for example, important for joining certain career paths in government administration, military, or regulated professions, where some kind of diploma
1653-611: The Fraunhofer Society or the Max Planck Society ). There are a few universities, such as Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and Bundeswehr University Munich , which run Fachhochschule courses in addition to their normal courses. It is also important to note that in the 1990s, some universities of applied sciences were developed from former GDR universities with the right to award doctoral and post-doctoral degrees in order to cut costs. These include, for example,
1710-572: The German Reunification .) Most of the students going for a Diplom therefore spent 13 years in school before starting their university studies, while the younger Bachelor students nowadays may start one year earlier. (However, in some states, such as Rhineland-Palatinate or Schleswig-Holstein , the first class which completes school after 12 years will graduate as late as 2016.) Regarding international comparison, one may argue that British, Irish and French high school students have school also in
1767-520: The Swiss Federal Council in 1998 and two private UAS approved by the Federal Council in 2005 and 2008. The public UAS are run by one or more cantons . UAS have the institutional mandate to provide degree programmes ( Bachelor's degrees and Master's degrees ), continuing education and training, to conduct applied research and to offer services to companies and institutions. Students with
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1824-797: The pre-republican period : In October 1899 the engineering degree Diplom was announced by a supreme decree of the German emperor Wilhelm II in his function as the King of Prussia on the advent of the Centenary of the Technische Hochschule in Charlottenburg (now Technische Universität Berlin ). The Diplom was subsequently adopted by the Technische Hochschulen ( Institutes of Technology ) which had received university status following this Prussian decree. Later, all German universities adopted
1881-502: The Diplom as their degree in Science or Engineering. In East Germany, the Diplom was the only first degree and was also granted in disciplines such as medicine or law, which at West German universities were completed with a Staatsexamen . Nowadays such diplomas are still granted to students of such disciplines, although most universities only grant the diplom status (for example "Diplom-Jurist" in law) on request. Some universities also grant
1938-526: The ECTS point range for a master's degree. The situation is different for Diplom (FH) degrees. Those tend to end up at least at the Bachelor's ECTS point level or above, and below the ECTS point level for a master's degree. The ranking is roughly shown in the following table, from lowest to highest rank. Typical ECTS points are provided for a very rough comparison, individual points vary. The following chart illustrates
1995-572: The French Diplôme ( Diplôme de l'ordre impérial de la légion d'honneur ) describing a certificate devised during the Second French Empire to bestow honours upon outstanding citizens and soldiers of the imperial French army to promote them into the Legion of Honour since 1862. The Magister degree was the original graduate degree at German-speaking universities. In Germany the Diplom dates back to
2052-498: The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. In these institutions, the classic university spirit lives on to this day. The Austrian government decided to establish Fachhochschulen (FH) in 1990. In the academic year of 2010/11, there were twenty-one institutions officially considered as Fachhochschulen plus a number of other providers of Fachhochschulstudiengängen with a total of over 27,000 students. About
2109-640: The acceptance of degrees was one reason the EU initiated and executed the Bologna Process . Part of the Bologna Process shall ensure comparability between higher-education qualifications in the EU. As part of this process Germany has introduced Masters and bachelor's degrees and has largely phased out the awarding of new diploma degrees. A process not universally welcomed by the German academic and engineering communities. The already awarded Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) and
2166-450: The afternoons which could compensate with the (former) additional year of school attendance in Germany. Note: For the Diplom (FH) a student has to spend one to two obligatory semesters during his studies in a company. These semesters are included in the table. The study time is therefore one to two semesters shorter. Bachelor studies have them included in the table too. For the Diplom (Universität) those semesters are sometimes not included in
2223-421: The curriculum set by most universities in Germany, the 4, 4.5 or 5 years for a Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) were often exceeded. Although being a first degree, because of its actual duration, the Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) was and is in Germany not considered as an equivalent to a bachelor's but rather to a master's degree, as also expressed by the equivalent ECTS credits for the Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) . A holder of
2280-512: The curriculum usually consists of general knowledge and essential background subjects in the first five semesters. After the end of the fifth semester, students select their academic area of interest and pursue a set of specialised courses for the next four semesters. The last semester is devoted to the preparation of a thesis on the student's chosen area of interest, which is presented before a three-member panel. 5 - year Diplomas are considered equivalent to integrated master's degrees. The holder of
2337-455: The degree Diplom-Ingenieur is still used for Master's graduates in engineering. In Switzerland, the Diplom (German) or Diplôme (French) was the typical first degree at the two federal institutes of technology and at the Swiss universities of applied sciences. Since 2004, these Swiss degrees are no longer offered since they are replaced by Bologna style bachelor's and master's degrees. In Finland,
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2394-401: The diploma was granted. The Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) is usually a prerequisite for preparing a doctorate ( Doktorarbeit ). However, under certain conditions, holders of a Diplom (FH) are also eligible for doctoral studies. In German-speaking countries and in countries which Germany has bilateral agreements with—regarding the recognition of academic qualifications, the Diplom / Diplom (Univ.)
2451-401: The durations required to obtain the old degrees ( Diplom, Diplom (FH) ) and the new European degrees (bachelor's and master's), using nominal example durations. At the time of the Bologna process, schools in most German states started changing from 13 school years to 12 years. (An exception are the states of Saxony and Thuringia , where Gymnasium has always lasted only 12 years ever since
2508-627: The federal legislative requirements. The UAS are supported by the cantons, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and by the Rector's Conference of Swiss Universities (swissuniversities). Diplom#In Germany .2F Austria .2F Switzerland A Diplom ( German: [diˈploːm] , from Ancient Greek : δίπλωμα diploma )
2565-494: The final exam period. The thesis which followed an independent (although supervised) research project had officially to be completed in not more than 3 to 9 months (depending on subject and university). However, the actual time students worked on these projects could again exceed the official duration by several months. The curriculum for a Diplom (FH) degree, obtained at a University of Applied Sciences ( Fachhochschule ) used to be more application-oriented, in comparison to what
2622-475: The generic term in Germany for institutions awarding academic degrees in higher education, or expanded as Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW) , the German translation of "universities of applied sciences", which were primarily designed with a focus on teaching professional skills. This is reflected in the fact that the ratio of the number of students to the number of professors is significantly better than at traditional universities. However, there are also
2679-423: The meantime, however, some professors at HAW also have additional habilitations and can therefore directly supervise doctoral students at their home university. This and the rule that they give priority to hiring professors with a professional career of at least three years outside the university system additional to the doctoral degree are the two major ways in which they differ from traditional universities. Due to
2736-479: The old diplomi-insinööri ("diploma engineer") title was completely replaced by Master of Science (Technology) in the Bologna process. All Finnish academic degrees are awarded both in Finnish and English and therefore the title is still awarded as diplomi-insinööri with Master of Science (Technology) as the official translation. Conversion was straightforward and academic credits were transformed linearly. In Greece,
2793-460: The right to confer doctoral degrees is still generally reserved to Universitäten . In 2016, however, Fulda University of Applied Sciences became the first Fachhochschule to be conferred this right for its graduate center for social sciences. Several Fachhochschulen run doctoral programs where the degree itself is awarded by a partner university in Germany or abroad (similar to the doctoral programs in German research institutes , such as
2850-561: The table. Also note: In Germany, a Diplom (Universität) student can enter a doctoral program directly (if the student meets the admission requirements). A Diplom (FH) student has to have excellent grades to directly enter a doctorate program. With the Higher Education Act of the Land Lower Saxony as of August 2010, outstanding Bachelor graduates can commence their doctorate at the universities of this German state. In addition,
2907-493: The word is combined with the academic profession. Acceptance of the Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) and the Diplom (FH) varies from country to country and from university to university. Usually holders of any of the degrees are considered for admission to postgraduate (not necessarily doctoral) studies. The acceptance or rejection of the diploma not only varies because of different academic standards, but also because of political, regulatory and administrative reasons. The variations in
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#17328914574372964-629: Was a two-year period of coursework in courses of mainly (but not only) introductory nature, the Grundstudium (meaning basic studying period ). After (and during) this period, in addition to exams for passing the modules, students attained a series of usually four intermediate exams to obtain the Vordiplom (meaning pre-diploma ). The second period, the Hauptstudium (meaning main period of study ), consisted of two years of coursework in courses of advanced level, an additional period of several months in which
3021-415: Was expected for a Univ. Diplom degree. The programme was slightly shorter and often one semester was spent by the students doing an internship . Those with some previous vocational qualification in a subject related to their studies were typically exempt from the requirement to do an internship. Typically, the studies in such a program were more organized and structured than the studies at a university, with
3078-414: Was required. It also implies that Diplom (FH) holders can join a master's degree program. It does not imply the degrees are the same, a fact stretched multiple times in the cited reference. An actual comparison, in case it is needed, is done via ECTS points which are retroactively calculated/assigned to old Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) and Diplom (FH) degrees, when needed. This calculation is e.g. done when
3135-399: Was simply called a Diplom or rarely a Diplom (Univ.) and took usually between four and six years (240–360 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System credits), depending on subject and curriculum. When obtained at a so-called University of Applied Sciences (or Fachhochschule ), the diploma degree is called a Diplom (FH) and took mostly four years (240 ECTS credits). The Diplom
3192-433: Was usually awarded in the natural sciences, business, theology and engineering, while students of humanities, arts and languages finished with a Magister . (The degree in social sciences differed from university to university.) All kinds of Diplom degrees were usually first degrees. However, the Diplom / Diplom (Univ.) was also the highest non-doctoral degree in science, business or engineering in Germany. The duration of
3249-443: Was usually not restricted to students who had already obtained the Vordiplom . The extent of the final exams and the exams to obtain the Vordiplom was set by each university individually in its regulations. Normally, the content of two different modules of the preceding period of coursework was examined in each of the examinations, which could be oral or less often in writing. Most students needed approximately six months to complete
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