Gero Federkeil is a qualified sociologist and works at the Center for University Development. He knows what the university landscape looks like and what you should consider when choosing a course of study.
What does the university landscape look like in Germany?
The higher education landscape in Germany is very diverse and has become even more diverse with the introduction of the Bologna Process. There are many different combinations of bachelor's and master's degree programs. Some of these are highly specialized and in the old courses they were designed as focal points rather than as individual courses. On the one hand, this leads to more choices, but on the other hand, it doesn't make it any easier for new or changing students to keep an overview.
How does the university ranking work?
The ranking is primarily aimed at new students or those changing universities. The individual indicators are therefore also geared towards these. We try very hard to cover the area of study and teaching. To do this, we collect a whole range of data at the individual universities and departments: student and staff numbers, special features of the various study programs, the international orientation and practical orientation of the university and the study programs. We also ask current students about their personal experiences with their university and their satisfaction with the respective study conditions. I believe that the perspective of current students is particularly important information for future students. .
Who has better chances on the job market: Bachelor or Master?
A university degree is generally the best prerequisite for avoiding problems on the job market. University graduates are much less likely to be affected by unemployment than people with vocational training. The opportunities for bachelor's and master's graduates to gain a foothold in the job market are very subject-specific. In some subjects, the master's degree is actually the standard qualification - for example in engineering - but there are also fields of study in which this is not the case and the bachelor's degree is also well suited for entry into the job market. These are primarily courses that are not tailored to a clearly defined career profile - for example business administration, computer science and IT.
What are the earning potential for bachelor's and master's graduates?
There are initial studies that show that the starting salaries of bachelor's graduates are slightly lower than those of master's graduates. However, no statements can yet be made about the long-term development of salaries, which is because the first master's graduates in particular have not been in the profession for that long.
Should you do an in-depth master's degree after your bachelor's degree or should you reorient yourself again during your master's degree?
The great opportunity of the Bachelor-Master system is that it gives students the opportunity to do both. For example, a student who has completed a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering can deepen this in a particular direction during the master's degree - e.g. B. as a vehicle or aircraft manufacturer. This makes particular sense if the student already has a very specific idea of where he wants to go professionally. Personally, I think it is difficult to completely reorient yourself after completing your bachelor's degree.
What distinguishes German universities from foreign universities?
In other countries, the name of the university plays a much greater role than in Germany. In Great Britain and the USA, for example, it is often not so important for professional development which subject you studied, but rather which university you graduated from. In Germany this is less pronounced. Of course, there is also a certain reputation hierarchy within the individual subjects, which exists both at the universities themselves and among employers. For example, I think a mechanical engineering graduate from RWTH Aachen initially has a slight advantage over a graduate from a very small university.
What factors should you consider when choosing a master's place?
The professional orientation, the quality of teaching and whether the master's degree follows on well from the bachelor's degree should play an important role. But personal plans and ideas should also be taken into account. You should also consider how good your chances are of getting a place on a master's degree with your bachelor's degree, as admission restrictions often apply to master's degrees as well. The name of the university should be of secondary importance. I would recommend that bachelor graduates create a shortlist of different universities or master's programs and then try to find out more about them and weigh them up against each other; The ranking can help with this.
Under what circumstances does a Master’s abroad make sense?
There are fields of study and careers that are more international in nature than others. For students who have international ambitions for their future career or want to specialize in a field that is only offered abroad, a master's abroad makes sense. In view of the regulation of the professional field, a degree in social work, for example, is not designed for international mobility, but a degree in economics or business law or something similar is. Of course, it often makes sense to spend time abroad during your studies for your own educational background.
Should students take the name of the university into account when pursuing a master's degree abroad?
Of course, that can also be a point, although one cannot always assume that a good name is synonymous with good teaching. The good name is often based on the image of the research excellence of the individual university. However, good research does not always mean that students are well looked after. Actually, the same applies as when choosing a master's degree domestically; you should create a shortlist and weigh up the individual factors.
What is your tip for students who are thinking about doing a master's degree?
Be clear about where you want to go professionally and what interests you and choose your place of study accordingly. University names and reputation are of secondary importance.
