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A college in Germany is usually an institute of adult education for obtaining the general higher education entrance qualification. As a rule, it takes three years until you can take the nationwide Abitur. After two years, it is usually possible to obtain the school part of the Fachhochschulreife. In contrast to the evening grammar school, lessons are given during the day and are therefore aimed at former working people who want to expand their school qualifications through full-time lessons. In addition to attending the Kolleg, it is therefore not possible to continue working in a profession in terms of time and law – with the exception of "part-time jobs". As a rule, the prerequisite for attending a college is a secondary school or comparable qualification and vocational training that has already been completed. Alternatively, however, the management of a family household or proven unemployment and several years of professional activity are accepted. The minimum age is 18 years. Depending on the federal state, there are different regulations.

The so-called introductory phase (11th grade) is used to acquire the basic knowledge for the two-year qualification level. In some colleges, there are preliminary courses before the actual college visit, e.g. at the colleges in Berlin, to refresh idle knowledge in central subjects. In some federal states, it is also mandatory to pass an admission test. The selection of subjects and the Abitur examinations at a college are based on those of the general grammar school, whereby the restrictions of the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs responsible for the federal state must be observed in the choice of subjects. The possibilities at the selected Research Training Group can also lead to further restrictions. In addition, there may be different regulations for the Abitur examinations depending on the federal state.

The course leading to the subsequent acquisition of the general higher education entrance qualification may be accepted if

1. is at least 19 years old,
2. a completed vocational training or at least two years' professional activity or a comparable activity, and
3. can prove the Realschulabschluss/Fachoberschulreife or an equivalent qualification or has successfully completed a preliminary course lasting at least one semester.

A comparable activity is, in particular, the management of a family household. Unemployment proven by a certificate from the employment agencies can be credited to the required period of employment. Only those who do not work are included in the full-time form.

• informal application
• completed application form
• signed curriculum vitae in tabular form
• certified copy of the last certificate or original for submission
• Proof of professional activity/employment
• certified copy of the vocational qualification certificate or original for presentation or proof of two years of professional activity (only for the Abitur course)

As a rule, parent-independent BAföG is granted for financing, which does not have to be repaid.

Application at the beginning of the school year at a second-chance school

Registration from mid-May to mid-March (exact dates are published annually), thereafter consideration of registrations within the scope of free capacities

State Education Boards

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

Unit 33

• Ordinance on Second Chance Education Programmes (ZBW-Verordnung - ZBWV)

• Https://mbjs.brandenburg.de/bildung/lebenslanges-lernen/zweiter-bildungsweg.html

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

Unit 33