How many degrees are awarded at higher education institutions in Germany each year?
According to the Federal Statistical Office, a total of 511,606 degrees were awarded at German higher education institutions in 2024. Of these, 48 per cent were Bachelor’s degrees, 29.2 per cent Master’s degrees, 9.7 per cent teacher training examinations, 6.1 per cent further university degrees (e.g. Diploma, State Exam, excluding teacher training), 5.5 per cent doctorates and 1.5 per cent further degrees from universities of applied sciences (UAS). In 2024, the overall proportion of female graduates was 53.1 per cent.
The Federal Statistical Office publishes annual figures on degrees at German universities in its series Examinations at Universities (Prüfungen an Hochschulen). Some selected results are presented and categorised below.
The following chart shows the development of degrees in Germany over time from 2016 to 2024. The total number of degrees fluctuates continuously around 500,000, but has not fallen below this figure in the past four years. A particularly low number of degrees can be seen for the examination year 2020, which affects both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, but also doctorates and teacher training examinations. The slump can possibly be explained by the coronavirus pandemic and the associated restrictions in teaching and existing uncertainties. In the following year, 2021, on the other hand, there is an opposite effect with a particularly high number of degrees.
How high is the proportion of female university graduates in Germany?
The proportion of female graduates in Germany differs significantly depending on the type of degree. As the following figure illustrates, the proportion of women in the examination year 2024 was particularly high for teacher training examinations (73.9 %). The proportion of women is also over 50 per cent for further university degrees, further degrees from universities of applied sciences and Bachelor's degrees. In contrast, the proportion of women is currently still below 50 per cent for Master's degrees and doctorates, the highest educational qualifications on this list. Compared to the 2016 examination year, there is a clear trend towards a higher proportion of women for all degree types.