Culture Pack Germany - Training Requirements and Nursing Skills

Culture Pack Germany - Training Requirements and Nursing Skills

Culture
Pack
Germany
Information about
Germany, Bielefeld
and lots of other
things you might
want to know before
you get here …
This information pack has been
compiled by members of the Department of Nursing and Health,
Faculty of Economics and Health
for the TRaNSforM project.
The information will be accessible
on the project’s website, on the
EST database, on the department’s homepage and will be
available for our international
guests and students.
It will undergo regular update.
September 2011
0
Your Culture pack “Germany”
Welcome to Germany and Bielefeld!
Your “Culture Pack” provides you with some information about our country, our city
and our University. It should make you feel welcome and hopefully help you understand some “oddities” that you might encounter.
The information has been collated and written up by insiders and outsiders:
Katrin Kunze, Cyrus Pfau, Henrike Greuel, Nadja Trezeciak, Nina Klemann are students
in the Department of Nursing and Health and keen promoters of international activities
in our school. They spent a lot of their spare time to support the TRaNSforM project
and to write up information on the educational system in Germany, nursing in Germany, the University and the city of Bielefeld
Andy Tyacke cast his English teacher’s eye over all our English language productions
and made us learn some more grammar and spelling. Being a foreigner, he also wrote
the bit about Germany - outsiders always have a better perspective than insiders ….
Katja Makowsky and Annette Nauerth, our nursing professors involved with TRaNSforM served as double-checkers and question-askers and support our project work in
the department .…
Inge Bergmann-Tyacke is the project worker, she made sure that the culture pack
evolved and everybody did their job, and finally put it all together
This is the information your “Culture Pack” contains:
•
Your Hotel in Bielefeld
•
Your Travel to Bielefeld
•
The city of Bielefeld
•
Studying in Bielefeld
•
About Germany
•
The German education system
•
Nurse education and nursing in Germany
•
Introduction
to
German
language
and
some
important
phrases
1
Your Travel to Bielefeld
Recommended airports:
Düsseldorf International (DUS) has many international flights and there are
trains direct from the airport to Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof (main railway station) or
trains with only one change. Journey time is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes to 2
hours.
Hannover (HAJ) also has many international flights. You will need to change trains
once from the airport to Bielefeld. There are frequent commuter trains from airport to
Hannover Hbf and thence express to Bielefeld. Journey time is approximately 1 hour
30 minutes.
Train tickets can be bought on IC and ICE trains with a small surcharge (regional
trains will have ticket machines in the train or on the platform). All tickets can also
be booked in advance as online tickets. Booking in advance will not make a price difference, but you have a chance to book a seat for your journey. If you book online or
with your travel agent, there is the option for “Sparpreis” (saver tickets). You can get
good deals there, but be aware that you train-bound! Should you miss the train (e.g.
because the luggage takes longer than you thought) you will have to buy a complete
new ticket and lose the initial one! If you miss the train because your connecting
train was late, you need a stamp from the late trains conductor and then can take
another train with your “Sparpreis” ticket.
Train info and tickets: www.deutschebahn.com or www.bahn.de (most of you will
find your own language there).
Not recommended:
Paderborn or Münster-Osnabrück: nice small airports, but very poor connections
to railway and other regional transport.
Beware of flights to practically any airport served by Ryanair! Ryanair frequently advertise flights to destinations that are nowhere near the named place – if
you do plan to fly with them, check that they are actually going where you want to
be. Bremen is about the only airport in North Germany that is actually near the
named city! Düsseldorf-Niederrhein (NRN) is 80 km north-west of Düsseldorf in the
middle of nowhere and Hamburg-Lübeck (LBC) is 65 km from Hamburg. Both are
very bad for transport links.
Public Transport / Bus in Bielefeld
How to get from Jahnplatz to FH Bielefeld Am Stadtholz 24:
Line 24 direction to Sieker (Stop Seidenstickerhalle)
Line 25 direction to Heepen/ Baumheide (Stop Seidenstickerhalle)
Line 26 direction to Heepen/Alter Postweg (Stop Seidenstickerhalle)
2
City Map
Map: All locations of the Fachhochschule Bielefeld (University of Applied Science in
Bielefeld). Am Stadtholz 24 is Number 8 on the map below.
Fachbereich Wirtschaft und Gesundheit, Lehreinheit Pflege und Gesundheit
Faculty of Economics and Health, Department of Health Studies
Am Stadtholz 24, 33609 Bielefeld
How to walk from the Hotel Bielefelder Hof (A)
to the campus Am Stadtholz 24 (B)
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Introduction to Bielefeld
Weather in Bielefeld
Because of its geographical position, in the middle of a range of low hills and with flat
land to north and south, Bielefeld’s weather can be unpredictable and different from
that in nearby areas.
However, in November it is likely to be cool, with maximum temperatures around 10
to 12 degrees Celsius and possibly less. It is quite possible that temperatures will be
lower and, during the last two winters, there was frost and snow at this time.
Weather forecasts can be seen at: www.wetter.com and typing in “Bielefeld”.
Weather information is given for three days but there are tabs for seven and sixteen
days ahead.
The City of Bielefeld
Bielefeld is a multi-faceted, lively university town with a high quality of life, situated
in the scenic Teutoburg Forest. Bielefeld is the economic and cultural centre of East
Westfalia-Lippe, one of the most dynamic economic regions in Europe and, with
around 325,000 inhabitants, is one of the 20
major cities in Germany.
Founded as a market town around 1214, Bielefeld has developed “along the linen thread” into
a modern city.
The Linen Weaver Statue, the Steam Engine,
and the Ravensberg Spinning Mill are symbols
of this development. Historic industrial buildings
shape the present townscape alongside extensive green belts and modern architecture.
The Leineweber (Linen weaver)
Situated within the hills of the Teutoburg Forest, Bielefeld provides a wide variety of
leisure opportunities. The thriving cultural scene offers an events programme full of
contrasts and highlights, including shopping, education, leisure, culture or sports as
well as relaxation in its green spaces.
Bielefeld is at the centre of a region with one of the highest economic growth rates in
Germany, a healthy mix of industries, a well trained workforce and an excellent infrastructure. The city’s origins lie in linen: textile and clothing manufacture have helped
to develop the prosperity of the city. World-renowned companies from the food and
luxury consumables sector, from the printing and construction industries, and from
mechanical engineering have settled here. The presence of firms such as Dr. Oetker,
Seidensticker, Miele, all of which are owned and run by their founding families, and
others such as Dürkopp, Windsor and many more demonstrates Bielefeld’s wide
range of business activities.
4
Panorama of part of the Dr Oetker factory
Established in 1891, Dr. Oetker is an internationally operating branded food company
based in Bielefeld, Germany, employing a workforce of over 9,500.
Seidensticker was founded in 1919 by Walter Seidensticker and has grown to become
Europe’s largest shirtmaker and in 2010 the firm produced its 800millionth shirt.
Miele was founded in 1899 and currently produces a wide range of domestic and
commercial appliances including laundry appliances; vacuum cleaners; dishwashers;
ovens; hobs; cooker hoods; freestanding and built-in refrigerators, freezers, and
commercial laundry and medical and dental cleaning and sterilising equipment.
Health
The city has also been a major centre for the development of the health sector. The
von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftung (Foundation) Bethel and the Evangelisches (Protestant) Johanneswerke.V, Schildesche. are the largest community care facilities in
Europe. It is important to understand that “Protestant” or “Catholic” in a hospital’s
name refers only to the foundation which runs the hospital and not to the users of its
services. The hospitals are open to all (or no) faiths equally.
Bethel
The von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftung Bethel, founded 150 years ago, is part of Diakonie, the German social welfare organisation of the Protestant church, and cares for
people who are mentally challenged or psychologically disabled, as well as elderly
people, young people with social problems and homeless and employs about 15,000
people. It is one of the leading epilepsy centres in Europe.
The foundation’s complex also includes hotels, restaurants and stores, which give the
effect of a small town and Bethel is often regarded by the population as a village of
its own within the Bielefeld district of Gadderbaum.
http://www.bethel.eu/home.html.
Evangelisches Johanneswerk e.V (Protestant Johanneswerk)
The Evangelisches Johanneswerk was founded in 1951 and has its headquarters in
Bielefeld. It is also part of the Diakonie network. About 6,200 people are employed in
more than 70 facilities, offering services to old and ill people, people with disabilities,
children and young people and including social work.
http://johanneswerk.de/en/home.html
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Evangelisches Krankenhaus (Protestant Hospital)
The Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bielefeld gGmbH (EvKB) was established in January
2005 through the merger of the hospitals Gilead gGmbH, Mara gGmbH and the Ev.
Johannesstift.
The managing partners of the new
hospital are the von Bodelschwingh
Anstalten Bethel and the Ev. Johanneswerk. It has about 1,500 beds and
employs 4,500 Staff. EvKB has an
English-speaking ward as part of its
contract to provide care for British
Forces personnel.
http://www.evkb.de
Entrance to Evangelisches Krankenhaus
Klinikum Bielefeld
Klinikum Bielefeld is a teaching hospital which was founded in 2010 through the
amalgamation of the three hospitals: Bielefeld Mitte, Bielefeld Rosenhöhe and
Halle/Westfalen. It employs about 2,660 staff and provides 1,300 beds.
http://www.klinikumbielefeld.de/kontakt.html
Franziskus-Hospital
Franziskus-Hospital is a Catholic teaching hospital, founded in 1869.
http://www.franziskus.de/unser-haus.html
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Attractions in Bielefeld
Die Sparrenburg (Sparrenburg Castle)
Bielefeld's trademark - the mighty fortress of Sparrenburg high above the mountain town - is situated
on one of the most beautiful mountain trails in
Germany: the 156-kilometre Hermannsweg.
Built in the mid-13th century by the Counts of
Ravensberg, the castle served as the administrative headquarters and residence of the rulers and
protected the city and trade in the Bielefeld Pass.
The castle has undergone several reconstructions,
and the currently-visible fort was erected in mid16th Century. The 37 metre tower gives beautiful
panoramic views of the city and the surrounding
area.
The 300 metre long underground tunnel system
can be visited from April to October.
Sparrenburg gateway
Krankenhausmuseum Bielefeld (Hospital Museum Bielefeld)
The Hospital Museum is dedicated to the history of the hospital system in Bielefeld.
The museum contains the collection and a permanent exhibition on the history of
medicine. In addition there are special exhibitions on the subject of medical treatment and care. (www.krankenhausmuseum-bielefeld.de)
Kunsthalle Bielefeld (Art Museum Bielefeld) (International Art of the 20th/21th
century)
The Kunsthalle Bielefeld is a museum
of modern and contemporary art.
Its important collection of twentiethcentury art includes works by Picasso,
Sonia and Robert Delaunayas well as
international sculpture by artists
ranging from Rodin to Serra, Schütte,
and Eliasson in the park at the
Kunsthalle.
Kunsthalle Bielefeld
Teutoburger Wald (Teutoburg Forest)
The Teutoburg Forest defines the Bielefeld cityscape. Rising to 446 metres, this
mountain range is chiefly famous for the “Battle of Teutoburg Forest” which took
place in the year 9 AD between the Romans and the Teutons. One of Germany’s most
picturesque hiking trails, the Hermannsweg, runs along the ridge of Teutoburg Forest
and right through Bielefeld city centre. This attractive and varied municipal park
landscape comprises a total of 4,800 hectares of forest and 580 km of hiking trails.
7
Tierpark Olderdissen (Olderdissen Animal Park)
Started by the town forester as a place to rear roe deer fawns, Olderdissen Zoo nestles in the attractive landscape of the Teutoburg Forest. This 15-hectare site opened
in 1930 is home to about 450 animals of 100 different species in a woodland setting
with meadows and ponds. The zoo has an excellent record for breeding rare animals
threatened with extinction. The zoo is open all year round and entry is free. The
brown bear enclosure is a big attraction for visitors.
Stadttheater (City Theatre)
Designed by the architect Bernhard Sehring, the City Theatre, with its interesting mix
of Baroque and Art Nouveau styles, opened in 1904 with a performance of Schiller’s
Joan of Arc. The century-old building was extensively restored to meet the requirements of a modern opera house and theatre and reopened in the summer of 2006.
The Bielefeld City Theatre is one of the biggest in the region, with more than 500
drama, dance and music productions every year.
Seidensticker Halle (Seidensticker Hall)
The Seidensticker Hall is a modern multi-purpose sports complex close to the city
centre. It hosts ball games, athletics championships, or other large sporting events,
as well as concerts and meetings.
Rudolf-Oetker-Halle (Rudolf Oetker Concert Hall)
Renowned for its acoustics and unique architecture, the Rudolf Oetker Concert Hall,
opened in 1930, is considered to be one of the finest concert halls in Europe. The
Bielefeld International Dance Festival is also held here every summer. Directly adjacent to the concert hall is the Burgerpark with its famous rose garden.
Dr. Oetker Welt (The Dr.-Oetker-World)
Dr. Oetker World is an interactive exhibition in a former factory building at the company’s Bielefeld headquarters. The demonstration kitchen has glass walls so visitors
can watch and learn how the products are made.
8
Germany
The Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland)
Germany is a federal parliamentary republic which consists of sixteen states (Länder)
and was a founder-member of the original European Economic Community in 1957.
The capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km 2 and
has a population of 81.8 million, making it the most populous member state and the
largest economy in the European Union. It is one of the major political powers of the
European continent and a technological leader in many fields. Germany’s economy is
the fourth largest in the world.
Germany’s central government is based upon a central, elected (federal) government
in Berlin, consisting of two houses: the Bundestag, whose members are directly
elected by the citizens, and the Bundesrat whose members come from the sixteen
state (Länder) legislatures. The Chancellor (Prime Minister) is elected by the
Bundestag and appointed by the Federal President. The current Chancellor is Angela
Merkel.
The federal government has the responsibility for external relations, including EU
relations, defence, transport policy, economics and technology, finance and taxation,
labour and social affairs, justice and criminal law.
Most of the remaining responsibilities are devolved to the Länder. These vary greatly
in size. The smallest Land in both population (661,000) and area (419 sq km) is
Bremen, whereas the largest in area is Bayern (Bavaria) with 70,552 sq km and in
population is Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westfalia) with 17,837 million inhabitants.
The Länder are parliamentary republics and the relationship between their legislative
and executive branches mirrors that of the federal system: the legislatures are popularly elected for four or five years (depending on the state), and the MinisterPresident is then chosen by a majority vote among the Landtag's members. The Minister-President appoints a cabinet to run the state's agencies and to carry out the
executive duties of the state's government.
These Länder have considerable powers and can basically do anything which is not
unconstitutional or reserved for the federal government. They have responsibility for
education and most local services, although many of these, such as vehicle registration, local library and fire services are further devolved to lower tiers of government,
such as the Kreis. The Länder also have limited rights to conclude foreign treaties
within their own legal competence and with the consent of the federal government.
A Brief History
A region named Germania, inhabited by several Germanic peoples, was documented
before AD 100. During the Migration Age, the Germanic tribes expanded southward,
and established successor kingdoms throughout much of Europe. Beginning in the
10th century, German territories formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire of
the German Nation. During the 16th century, northern German regions became the
centre of the Protestant Reformation while southern and western parts remained
9
dominated by Roman Catholic denominations, with the two factions clashing in the
Thirty Years' War.
Occupied by France during the Napoleonic Wars, rising Pan-Germanism resulted in
the unification of most of the German states in 1871, under the influence of Otto von
Bismarck, with the inception of the Prussian-dominated German Empire.
In the 1880s Bismarck’s social insurance programmes were the first in the world. His
introduction of old age pensions, accident insurance, medical care and unemployment
insurance became the model for other countries and the basis of the modern welfare
state. Against this background, Bismarck pursued a policy of developing Germany’s
industrial, economic and military power whilst avoiding armed conflict in Europe.
After Bismarck was removed from power in a dispute with the Kaiser (Emperor) in
1890, the power struggles between the great European powers led inevitably, in
1914, to the First World War, fulfilling Bismarck’s prophecy of 1894: "One day the
great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans".
After the German revolution of 1918 and the subsequent military surrender in World
War I, the Empire was replaced by the Weimar Republic in 1919, and partitioned in
the Versailles Treaty. The real, and perceived, punitive aspects of this were to play a
large part in the early success of the Nazi Party under Adolf Hitler.
Amidst the Great Depression, Hitler came to power and the Third Reich was proclaimed in 1933. Soon afterwards, an Enabling Act was passed which gave Hitler
powers to legislate and rule without having to resort to parliamentary approval. “The
Thousand Year Reich” actually lasted 13 years, during which it became one of the
most tyrannical regimes in history and led inevitably to the Second World War. By
the end of the war in 1945, Germany was structurally, militarily and economically
derelict and divided by the allied powers into two states, East Germany and West
Germany. It became a central focus of confrontation between the Communist bloc of
the Warsaw Pact and the western allies (NATO).
In the years following the division, West Germany performed its “economic miracle”
to return to its pre-First War position as a dominant world economy – albeit not a
military one.
Following the collapse of old-style Soviet Communism and the fall of the Democratic
Republic of (East) Germany in 1989, Germany was reunified in 1990. The date of the
fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989 coincided with the anniversary of the
1938 Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass) when the Nazis destroyed the remaining Jewish businesses and many Jewish homes. The date is now commemorated very
solemnly in Germany as a focus on the dangers of totalitarianism.
German culture
Germany’s cultural history begins long before the rise of Germany as a nation state.
Due to its rich cultural history, Germany is often known as das Land der Dichter und
Denker (the land of poets and thinkers). Germany, over the centuries, has produced
a great number of polymaths, geniuses and notable people.
10
Religion and philosophy
German philosophers have helped shape western philosophy from as early as the
Middle Ages - Albertus Magnus - while theologian Martin Luther translated the Bible
into German and wrote theological papers which provided the impetus and foundation for the religious reformation and the rise of Protestant Christianity in much of
northern Europe. Later, Leibniz (17th century) and most importantly Kant, played
central roles in the history of philosophy. Kantianism inspired the work of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche as well as Hegel. Marx and Engels developed communist theory
in the second half of the 19th century while Heidegger and Gadamer pursued the
tradition of German philosophy in the 20th century. A number of German intellectuals
were also influential in sociology, most notably Adorno, Habermas, Horkheimer,
Luhmann, Simmel, Tönnies, and Weber. The University of Berlin founded in 1810 by
linguist and philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt served as an influential model for a
number of modern western universities.
Literature
Among the most admired German poets and authors are Lessing, Goethe, Schiller,
Kleist, Hoffmann, Brecht, Heine and Schmidt. Nine Germans have won the Nobel
Prize in literature: Theodor Mommsen, Paul von Heyse, Gerhart Hauptmann, Thomas
Mann, Nelly Sachs, Hermann Hesse, Heinrich Böll, Günter Grass, and Herta Müller.
Music
In the field of music, Germany claims some of the most renowned classical composers of the world including Bach and Beethoven, who marked the transition between
the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music. Other composers of the
Austro-German tradition who achieved international fame include Brahms, Wagner,
Haydn, Schubert, Händel, Schumann, Liszt, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johann Strauss
II, Bruckner, Mahler, Telemann, Richard Strauss, Schoenberg, Orff, and most recently, Henze, Lachenmann, and Stockhausen.
German science and technology
Germany has been the home of some of the most prominent researchers in various
scientific disciplines, notably physics, mathematics, chemistry and engineering. They
include Johannes Gutenberg, who is credited with the introduction of movable type
printing to Europe; Hans Geiger, the creator of the Geiger counter; and Konrad Zuse,
who built the first computer. German inventors, engineers and industrialists such as
Zeppelin, Daimler, Diesel, Otto, Wankel, Von Braun and Benz helped shape modern
automotive and air transportation technology including the beginnings of space
travel.
The work of Albert Einstein and Max Planck was crucial to the foundation of modern
physics, which Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger developed further. They
were preceded by such key physicists as Hermann von Helmholtz, Joseph von Fraunhofer, and Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit, among others. Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays, an accomplishment that made him the first winner of the Nobel Prize in
11
Physics in 1901. For most of the 20th century, Germany had more Nobel Prizes in the
sciences (physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine) than any other nation.
Germany is home to some of the finest academic centers in Europe. Some famous
Universities include those of both Munich and Berlin, University of Tübingen, University of Göttingen, University of Marburg, University of Berlin, Heidelberg University,
Mining Academy Freiberg and Freiburg University, among many others.
Architecture
Architectural contributions from Germany include the Carolingian and Ottonian styles,
important precursors of Romanesque. The region then produced significant works in
styles such as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The nation was particularly important in the early modern movement through the Deutscher Werkbund and the
Bauhaus movement identified with Walter Gropius. The Nazis closed these movements and favoured a type of neo-classicism. Since World War II, further important
modern and post-modern structures have been built, particularly since the reunification of Berlin.
Fine arts
Important German Renaissance painters include Albrecht Altdorfer, Lucas Cranach
the Elder, Matthias Grünewald, Hans Holbein the Younger and the well-known
Albrecht Dürer. The most important Baroque artists from Germany are Cosmas
Damian Asam. Further artists are the romantic Caspar David Friedrich, the surrealist
Max Ernst, the conceptualist Joseph Beuys or the neo-expressionist Georg Baselitz.
For further information: http://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de
12
The German Education System
General Education
Attending a state-run school is free of charge, and it is compulsory for children from
the age of six onwards. For the first four to six years (according to federal state),
children usually attend a local primary school (Grundschule).
At the end of primary school, parents can choose between various types of secondary
schools, ranging from lower secondary school (Hauptschule, Realschule) to higher
secondary school (Gymnasium) depending on their child's interests and abilities.
Students who gain a qualification from a Gymnasium can attend university. Students
who gain a qualification from a technical or specialized secondary school can attend a
university of applied science where the courses are more practically oriented.
Many schools have developed their own profiles focusing on specific areas. There are,
for example, schools focusing on natural sciences, languages, music, and sports.
Dual Education System
Around 60 percent of all young people learn a profession within the dual system of
vocational education and training. The system is called "dual" because vocational
training takes place both in the company and in a part-time vocational school. In the
company, the apprentice receives practical training which is supplemented by theoretical instruction in the vocational school.
There are around 350 state recognized training occupations. The period of training is
usually two to three years and is concluded by a state examination. During this time,
the apprentice is financially remunerated. Access to this training is not formally
linked to a specific school certificate.
However, most employers expect secondary school graduation at least. The level of
the qualification depends on the requirements of the specific occupation. The system
is based on statutory training regulations.
Higher Education
Germany is home to a number of different types of higher education institutions catering different programmes of study. The characteristic feature of German universities lies in their pronounced focus on academic teaching and research.
The majority of German universities are state-run. The government provides the
main funds for universities. However, since 2007, many universities have introduced
tuition fees of up to EUR 500 per semester. Many universities in North RhineWestfalia and other Länder, though, are in the process of abolishing them again.
Universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) are responsible for providing practice-oriented training to prepare students for occupations which require the application of academic knowledge and methods or practical artistic creativity.
Colleges of art and music (academies, schools, conservatories, etc.) and the corresponding departments at some universities provide training in the fine arts, design,
performing arts, and music.
More information:
http://www.gtai.com/homepage/investment-guide-to-germany/living-ingermany/german-education-system/?backlink=0
13
The educational system in Germany
Information on the German higher education system
Types of Institutions and Institutional Status
Higher education (HE) studies in Germany are offered at three types of Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
- Universitäten (Universities) including various specialized institutions, offer the
whole range of academic disciplines. In the German tradition, universities focus in
particular on basic research so that advanced stages of study have mainly theoretical
orientation and research-oriented components.
- Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences) concentrate their study programmes in engineering and other technical disciplines, business-related studies,
social work, and design areas. The common mission of applied research and development implies a distinct application-oriented focus and professional character of
studies, which include integrated and supervised work assignments in industry, enterprises or other relevant institutions.
- Kunst- und Musikhochschulen (Universities of Art/Music) offer studies for artistic
careers in fine arts, performing arts and music; in such fields as directing, produc-
14
tion, writing in theatre, film, and other media; and in a variety of design areas, architecture, media and communication.
Higher Education Institutions are either state or state-recognized institutions. In their
operations, including the organization of studies and the designation and award of
degrees, they are subject to higher education legislation.
Types of Programmes and Degrees Awarded
Studies in all three types of institutions have traditionally been offered in integrated
"long" (one-tier) programmes leading to Diplom- or Magister Artium degrees or completed by a Staatsprüfung (State Examination).
Within the framework of the Bologna-Process one-tier study programmes are successively being replaced by a two-tier study system. Since 1998, a scheme of first- and
second-level degree programmes (Bachelor and Master) has been introduced to be
offered parallel to or instead of integrated "long" programmes. These programmes
are designed to provide greater variety and flexibility for students in planning and
pursuing educational objectives, they also enhance international compatibility of
studies.
The German Qualification Framework for Higher Education Degrees describes the
degrees of the German Higher Education System. It contains the classification of the
qualification levels as well as the resulting qualifications and competencies of the
graduates.
For details cf. Sec. 8.4.1, 8.4.2, and 8.4.3 respectively. Table 1 provides a synoptic
summary.
Approval/Accreditation of Programmes and Degrees
To ensure quality and comparability of qualifications, the organization of studies and
general degree requirements have to conform to principles and regulations established by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK). In 1999, a system of accreditation for programmes of study beacme operational under the control of an Accreditation Council at national level. All new programmes have to be accredited under
this scheme; after a successful accreditation they receive the quality-label of the Accreditation Council.
Organization and Structure of Studies
The following programmes apply to all three types of institutions. Bachelor’s and
Master’s study courses may be studied consecutively, at various higher education
institutions, at different types of higher education institutions and with phases of professional work between the first and the second qualification. The organization of the
study programmes makes use of modular components and of the European Credit
Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) with 30 credits corresponding to one semester.
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Bachelor
Bachelor degree study programmes lay the academic foundations, provide methodological skills and lead to qualifications related to the professional field. The Bachelor
degree is awarded after 3 to 4 years.
The Bachelor degree programme includes a thesis requirement. Study courses leading to the Bachelor degree must be accredited according to the Law establishing a
Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany.
First degree programmes (Bachelor) lead to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Bachelor of
Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) or Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).
Master
Master is the second degree after another 1 to 2 years. Master study programmes
may be differentiated by the profile types “practice-oriented” and “researchoriented”. Higher Education Institutions define the profile.
The Master degree study programme includes a thesis requirement. Study programmes leading to the Master degree must be accredited according to the Law establishing a Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany.
Second degree programmes (Master) lead to Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science
(M.Sc.), Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Master of Laws (L.L.M.), Master of Fine Arts
(M.F.A.), Master of Music (M.Mus.) or Master of Education (M.Ed.). Master study programmes, which are designed for continuing education, may carry other designations
(e.g. MBA).
Integrated "Long" Programmes (One-Tier): Diplom degrees, Magister Artium,
Staatsprüfung
An integrated study programme is either mono-disciplinary (Diplom degrees, most
programmes completed by a Staatsprüfung) or comprises a combination of either
two major or one major and two minor fields (Magister Artium). The first stage (1.5
to 2 years) focuses on broad orientations and foundations of the field(s) of study. An
Intermediate Examination (Diplom-Vorprüfung for Diplom degrees; Zwischenprüfung
or credit requirements for the Magister Artium) is prerequisite to enter the second
stage of advanced studies and specializations. Degree requirements include submission of a thesis (up to 6 months duration) and comprehensive final written and oral
examinations. Similar regulations apply to studies leading to a Staatsprüfung. The
level of qualification is equivalent to the Master level.
- Integrated studies at Universitäten (U) last 4 to 5 years (Diplom degree, Magister
Artium) or 3 to 6.5 years (Staatsprüfung). The Diplom degree is awarded in engineering disciplines, the natural sciences as well as economics and business. In the
humanities, the corresponding degree is usually the Magister Artium (M.A.). In the
social sciences, the practice varies as a matter of institutional traditions. Studies preparing for the legal, medical and pharmaceutical professions are completed by a
16
Staatsprüfung. This applies also to studies preparing for teaching professions of some
Länder.
The three qualifications (Diplom, Magister Artium and Staatsprüfung) are academically equivalent. They qualify to apply for admission to doctoral studies. Further prerequisites for admission may be defined by the Higher Education Institution, cf. Sec.
8.5.
- Integrated studies at Fachhochschulen (FH)/Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS)
last 4 years and lead to a Diplom (FH) degree. While the FH/UAS are non-doctorate
granting institutions, qualified graduates may apply for admission to doctoral studies
at doctorate-granting institutions, cf. Sec. 8.5.
- Studies at Kunst- and Musikhochschulen (Universities of Art/Music etc.) are more
diverse in their organization, depending on the field and individual objectives. In addition to Diplom/Magister degrees, the integrated study programme awards include
Certificates and certified examinations for specialized areas and professional purposes.
Doctorate
Universities as well as specialized institutions of university standing and some Universities of Art/Music are doctorate-granting institutions. Formal prerequisite for admission to doctoral work is a qualified Master (UAS and U), a Magister degree, a Diplom, a Staatsprüfung, or a foreign equivalent. Particularly qualified holders of a
Bachelor or a Diplom (FH) degree may also be admitted to doctoral studies without
acquisition of a further degree by means of a procedure to determine their aptitude.
The universities respectively the doctorate-granting institutions regulate entry to a
doctorate as well as the structure of the procedure to determine aptitude. Admission
further requires the acceptance of the Dissertation research project by a professor as
a supervisor.
Grading Scheme
The grading scheme in Germany usually comprises five levels (with numerical
equivalents; intermediate grades may be given): "Sehr Gut" (1) = Very Good; "Gut"
(2) = Good; "Befriedigend" (3) = Satisfactory; "Ausreichend" (4) = Sufficient; "Nicht
ausreichend" (5) = Non-Sufficient/Fail. The minimum passing grade is "Ausreichend"
(4). Verbal designations of grades may vary in some cases and for doctoral degrees.
In addition institutions partly already use an ECTS grading scheme.
Access to Higher Education
The General Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife, Abitur) after 12 to 13 years of schooling allows for admission to all higher educational
studies. Specialized variants (Fachgebundende Hochschulreife) allow for admission to
particular disciplines. Access to Fachhochschulen (UAS) is also possible with a Fachhochschulreife, which can usually be acquired after 12 years of schooling. Admission
to Universities of Art/Music may be based on other or require additional evidence
demonstrating individual aptitude.
17
Higher Education Institutions may in certain cases apply additional admission procedures.
Diagram: Institutions, Programmes and Degrees in German Higher eduction
Transfer Procedures
UNIVERSITIES
(Universitäten) &
Bachelor (B.A./B.Sc./B.Eng./LL.B./B.Ed.)
[3-4 years]
[1-2 years]
Master (M.A./M.Sc./M.Eng./LL.M./M.Ed.)
SPECIALISED INSTITUTIONS
Diplom & Magister Artium (M.A.) degree [4-5 years]
of university standing
(Theologische und Pädagogische Hochschulen)
Staatsprüfung (State Examination) [3-6.5 years]
Doctorate
Transfer Procedures
[Doctorate]
UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED
SCIENCES (UAS)
Bachelor (B.A./B.Sc./B.Eng./LL.B)
[3-4 years]
(Dr.)
[1-2 years]
Master (M.A./M.Sc./M.Eng./LL.M)
Diplom (FH) degree [4 Jyears]
Transfer Procedures
(Thesis research;
may include formal
course work)
[Doctorate]
(Fachhochschulen)
Transfer Procedures
(FH)
Bachelor (B.A./B.F.A./B.Mus./B.Ed.)
UNIVERSITIES OF
ART/MUSIC
[3-4 years]
[1-2 years]
Master (M.A./M.F.A./M.Mus./M.Ed.)
Doctorate
Diplom & M.A. degree, Certificates, certified examinations
(Kunst-/ Musikhochschulen)
[Some Doctorate]
(Dr.)
[4.5 years]
Integrated/long (One-Tier) Programmes
Programmes/
Degrees
Doctorate
Transfer Procedures
First degree
Second degree
For further information:
http://www.hrk-bologna.de/bologna/de/home/3222_4003.php
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Nurse Education in Germany
Title of Qualification: Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegerin (Professional General
Nurse)
Role and possible work places:
To work as a nurse in Germany, applicants must hold a degree or diploma in nursing.
In order to qualify as a nurse they need to attend a nurse education course. The education is provided by state accredited nursing schools and lasts three years. Learning
takes place in the clinical as well as theoretical setting. Each part of the course ends
with an exam which consists of oral, written and practical examination and each part
must be passed. Successful completion of the course leads to a diploma as a general
nurse.
A federal nursing law regulates nursing practice and nurse education according to the
EU Harmonisation Directive on Nursing.
Nurses in Germany work in a variety of extra- and intra-mural healthcare settings
such as in hospitals, rehabilitation, palliative or elderly care institutions or in the
community. In recent years, health and care insurance providers also employ nurses,
mainly for assessments of clients and the controlling of care institutions.
Once qualified as a general nurse, several career paths are possible.
Specialised care nurses: Nurses can specialise as nursing experts for a particular
area of nursing and medicine, such as intensive care, oncology care, psychiatric care,
dialysis or rehabilitation. They can also train as part of a theatre team specialized for
example in anaesthetics, cardiac, neurological, trauma or thoracic surgery nursing. In
addition, they can get qualification for particular specialised functions across the departments and institutions such as hygiene officer, stoma nurse or wound expert.
Nurse managers: Nurses can qualify for management functions in middle and upper
management to become a head nurse, head of department or manager of the nursing services in an institution. For functions in middle management such as head
nurse, nurses need to complete further education courses of 1 to 2 years in length.
For functions in upper management they usually need to complete university studies.
University study courses for management in nursing services have been on offer
since the early 1980’s.
Nurse educators: Nurses can qualify as clinical facilitators, mentors or teachers or
teachers in nursing schools. Whilst it is still possible to train for clinical facilitation
and mentoring within the further education setting (courses of 200 to 500 hours),
nurse teachers have been studying in higher education for many years now. The first
study course in West Germany started at the University in Bremen in 1989 while in
the former German Democratic Republic the equivalent of “medical education studies” was already on offer in 1960. Before “Bologna”, these study courses would lead
to a first degree of “Diplom” after 4 years of study. Since the implementation of
Bachelor and Master Courses, the discussion has revolved around the question,
whether nurse teachers should be qualified on Bachelor level or whether qualification
should rather be on Master level as all other teacher qualification is as well.
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Nurse scientists: generic nursing science is a fairly young discipline in Germany.
Since 1993, nurses have had the opportunity to study nursing science. Along with the
start of these study courses went the funding of various nursing research programmes by the federal and Länder governments. Thus, since the late 90’s, nurses
have been able to work in academic expert roles in different areas within the health
system.
Special branches of professional care
Altenpflegerin / Elderly Care Nurse
This is a separate discipline and nurses for elder care train separately in specialized
nursing schools. Training is focused on the needs of elderly people as well as on current nursing training. Courses are organized and divided into practical and theoretical
training and the course lasts three years, being divided into three sections, each ending with an exam. This consists of oral, written and practical examination. After
graduation nurses normally work in care homes or in the community.
Traditionally, elderly care nursing had a social care background and elderly care
nurses were trained with a strong social care focus and were less medically orientated. However, with demographic changes, people living longer, more elderly people
in hospitals, more elderly people seriously ill in nursing homes and with medical and
technical nursing care needs and more younger people in long term care, this separation no longer seems to make sense. Therefore, there is a movement at the moment to start integrating general and elderly care. Parallel to this, specialisations in
geriatric care and long-term care are on offer for general nurses.
Gesundheits- und Kinderkrankenschwester / Paediatric Nurse
As with Elderly Care Nursing, Paediatric Nursing also is a separate discipline and education is located in specialised nursing schools. Paediatric nurses can follow the same
career paths and further education courses as described above for the general nurse.
Also with paediatric nurses it is felt that this professional separation is no longer sustainable. However, since paediatric care and adult care do seem to have serious differences in their scope, discussions are whether an integrated education within three
years / 4600 hours can provide sufficient quality outcomes. Currently, it is also possible to specialise in paediatric care after qualification as a general nurse.
Elderly Care as well as Paediatric Care are not included in the EU Harmonisation Directive!
Higher Education:
Academic education in nursing has been discussed in Germany for many years. There
are strong political reasons for stopping any such attempts as there is fear that nursing services might become unpayable once nurses have academic qualification (this
has to do with the traditional pay scheme in Germany which used to include qualification as a criteria for payment). There was also for a long time a strong medical lobby
preferring nurses not to go to university - to mention only two of many reasons why
universities should not be for nurses…
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Changes in Nurse Education
The federal nursing law as well as the federal law for elderly care - which both include regulation of the respective education frameworks - included clauses in their
last revision which allow for pilot schemes to be implemented under serious evaluation.
In North Rhine Westphalia, 4 Universities implemented a study course for nurse education in 2010 / 2011, the FH Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences being one. All
study courses follow a different structure and scheme. However, all are committed to
achieve the defined outcome of nurse education, and graduates are to achieve an
academic degree (Bachelor) and the state permission to carry the title nurse (which
means pass the legally regulated exams with a minimum grade)
21
Common Words and Phrases
Hello!
Goodbye!
yes
no
Maybe
Please
Thanks
You´re welcome.
Excuse me!
Where´s the restroom/ toilet?
My name is…
I am…
Do you have…?
Good Morning
Good night!
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
Guten Tag!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Ja
Nein
Vielleicht
bitte
Danke
Bitte.
Entschuldigen Sie!
Wo ist die Toilette?
Ich heisse…
Ich bin…
Haben Sie…?
Guten Morgen!
Gute Nacht!
Do you speak English?
Repeat/ once again, please.
What did you say?
More slowly, please.
Please repeat that.
I don´t understand.
I have a question.
How do you say…?
I don´t know.
On the contrary!
Where is/ are…?
When?
Who?
Wie?
Why?
What?
Left
Right
I have no…/ I don´t have any…
I don´t have any money.
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Noch einmal bitte
Wie bitte?
Langsamer, bitte.
Bitte wiederholen Sie.
Ich verstehe nicht.
Ich habe eine Frage.
Wie sagt man…?
Ich weiß nicht.
Doch!
Wo ist/ sind…?
Wann?
Wer?
How?
Warum?
Was?
Links
rechts
Ich habe kein(e)…
Ich habe kein Geld.
Getting around
Train
Plane
Car
Train station
Airport
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
Zug
Flugzeug
Auto
Bahnhof
Flughafen
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At the Hotel
Is breakfast included?
A room
…………
…………
Mit Frühstück?
Ein Zimmer
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
Ankunft
Abfahrt
Ankunftstafel / Abfahrtstafel
Ankunftsmonitor
Ankunftszeit / Abfahrtszeit
Gepäck
die Koffer
Geschäftsreise
Waggon
Wagenstandanzeiger
Abteil
Schaffner
Schalter
am Schalter
Kreditkarte
Speisewagen/ Zugrestaurant
InterCity Express (ICE)
Hotel
Gasthaus/ Gasthof / Pension
reserviert
Auskunft / Information
Landkarte,
Stadtplan
Straßenkarte
Reisende, Fahrgäste, Passagiere
Reisepass
Passkontrolle
Bahnsteig
auf dem Bahnsteig
Fahrplan
Bahnhof/Bahnhöfe
Hauptbahnhof
Kartenschalter
Fahrkartenautomat
Gleis (auf Gleis 12)
Zug / Bahn
mit der Bahn, mit dem Zug
Warteraum / Wartehalle
Wartezeit
Travelling by train
arrival(s)
departure(s)
arrivals board/ departures board
arrivals monitor
arrival time/ departure time
Baggage/ luggage
Suitcases
business trip
coach (on train)
coach location indicator (train)
Compartment
conductor (train)
counter (bank, train station)
at the counter
credit card
dining car
high-speed train (ICE)
Hotel
Inn
Reserved
Information
map
City map
road map
Passengers
Passport
passport inspection
platform (train)
on the platform
schedule, timetable
station (train station)
Main station
ticket counter/office/window
ticket machine
track (on track 12)
Train
by train/rail
waiting room/hall
waiting time
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Using the coach location indicator is a very practical way to know just where on the
platform your coach will come to a stop. Instead of walking through half the train to
find your reserved seat, you can be standing on the platform within a few feet of the
right coach.
When you're looking for a seat without having a reservation, notice the orangecoloured reservation ("Reserviert") cards slipped into holders on the luggage racks
above the seats to avoid sitting in the wrong seat.
German railway schedules are yellow
for departures, white for arrivals.
Sources:
www.bielefeld.de/en/index.html
www.deutschebahn.com/en/start.html
www.fh-bielefeld.de
www.oetker.de/oetker/home.html
www.kunsthalle-bielefeld.de
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