Education Northern Ireland & Germany

Content Comparison of the education systems between Germany and Northern Ireland.

Project Team  Niall Smith  Sarah Calow  Finn David Wend  Ebru Siviloglu

First Stage Northern Ireland  Kindergarten (1 year, 3 to 4 years old)  Primary School (7 years, to 11 years old) Germany  Kindergarten (2 years, 3 to 5 years old)  Grundschule (4 years, 5 to 11 years old)

Second Stage (Ger)  depending on results of the „Grundschule“ (primary school)  A system of 3 ways: Basic Qualification: „Hauptschulabschluss“ comparable to KS3 Next higher Qualification: „Realschulabschluss“comparable to GCSE, after that you can make your „Abitur“ at the „Gymnasium“(5 years) Highest Qualification: „Abitur“ comparable to A- Levels

Second Stage (NI)  Secondary or Grammar school depending on results of 11+ ( an entry requirement exam for higher standard school and a means to test ability)

Vocational College (Berufskolleg)  At vocational college you study for a specific work related qualification for example BTEC National or Apprenticeship (Electrician, Mechanic or Hairdresser)  Entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences

University Northern Ireland  A- Levels or equivalent e.g access course  UCAS is the application process you go through to get into university Germany  Only with Abitur  Electronic by internet and normal application (handwritten)

The process of UCAS  You write a profile about yourself (hobbies, interest, achievements, grades etc.)  You select up to 5 universities  The universities will respond to your request with three possible offers: Decline, conditional and unconditional  Once the results of your exams are received you choose 1 of the 5 universities of which you will attend

Holidays Northern Ireland  Christmas: 2 weeks  Midterm: 1 week  Easter: 2 weeks  Summer: 2 months  Halloween: 1 week = 3 months, 2 weeks Germany  Christmas: 2 weeks  Easter: 2 weeks  Summer: 6 weeks  Autumn: 2 weeks = 3 months

Conclusion Ger  Uniform is non mandatory  Begins at 2 to 18 (compulsory education)  Can continue if you choose the way of the Abitur you can go study N.I  Uniform is mandatory  Begins at 3 to 16 (compulsory education)  Can continue if you choose to go to various paths