What are alternatives to studying at university?

If you do not want - or do not (yet) fulfil the requirements - to study at university, a professional qualification may be a good alternative.

A professional qualification in Germany is widely recognized and means that you received specific training in a certain area, and that you have documented proof of being a skilled professional in that field.

Take a look at the online orientation tool from hop-on for orientation in the professional educational system in Germany. It is currently available in English, Arabic, Farsi, and German. 

There are several ways to get a professional qualification:

• Vocational training (Ausbildung): an intensive training which focuses on the profession of your choice, usually combining practical experience with theoretical knowledge. Please also note, that a completed Ausbildung and a certain amount of working experience may qualify you to start studying at a university;

• Modular qualification (Nachqualifizierung): if you have working experience but do not have an official qualification or degree, it can be difficult to get a job in Germany. For these cases, modular qualifications are meant to prepare you for the final exam of a regular vocational training, without having to go through the entire training;

• Further training (Weiterbildung): this is a specialization in your field of work, if you already have a professional qualification;

• Retraining (Umschulung): this alternative makes sense if you have a professional qualification, but want to work in a different field. Retrainings are shortened versions of regular vocational trainings (Ausbildung), building upon your previous knowledge and skills from professional qualifications already acquired in the past.

For more detailed information and definition of all the alternatives above, please check the hop-on Compass (like a glossary) here.