Goal: Away with the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees!
Background: The average period of study has definitely become shorter, and the number of drop-outs in the humanities and social sciences has decreased dramatically. Freshman classes are larger, and many professors are devoting more time to their students. But many universities have missed the chance to make a fresh start and have tried to fit old curricula into new forms. In addition, the examinations that students take each semester, which are meant to replace the inhumane final examinations, have created increased bureaucracy on an unexpected scale. The result: in some subjects, more students are dropping out than in the past and many students are groaning under the pressure. Studies show, however, that students don’t have more to do than they did under the old course of study. The rigid structures rob them of their sense of self-determination and also of the joy of learning.
Prognosis: The bachelor’s degree has a disastrous reputation among the public. Although it is highly unlikely that the new degrees will be abolished – this would isolate Germany internationally – efforts are already underway to reform the reform. A growing number of universities are designing bachelor's programs that last four years rather than three, and they are including time for independent study and semesters abroad. But despite all the improvements, one thing is clear: even if mistakes are made in the implementation of bachelor's programs, universities must nevertheless adapt to the challenges of a society in which not 5, but rather 40 percent of the youngsters in each grade want and should be able to study at university.
Goal: Abolish Tuition Fees!
Background: The 2005 ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court permitted Germany's federal states to charge students tuition. Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Saarland send bills of up to 500 Euros per semester to members of their student bodies. Despite vigorous protests, Hesse introduced tuition fees but then revoked them after the 2008 elections, which brought losses for the governing CDU. The advocates of student-financed higher education emphasize that the money is urgently needed by the universities, and they hope that tuition will give students an incentive to complete their programs more quickly. Opponents criticize the deterrent effect within society, and they fear that the state will gradually withdraw from the financing of education.
Prognosis: Pressure is mounting on those federal states that charge tuition. Although tuition fees have led to improved conditions at many universities, governments have not made good on their promises to offer a state-wide scholarship system for less well-off students in order to compensate for the introduction of fees. In addition, most of the available student loans are too expensive, and the regulations on tuition exemptions are too opaque and often make no sense from a sociopolitical perspective. If decisive improvements are not made quickly, then student-financed higher education is unlikely to survive the regional elections [Landtagswahlen] in the next few years.
print version
return to list
previous document