Germany - higher education system

The tertiary sector includes, first and foremost, the various different types of institution of higher education and, to a limited extent, establishments outside the higher education system. Thus, in addition to institutions of higher education, some Länder also have Berufsakademien, which offer an alternative to higher education in the form of courses qualifying to practise a profession for those who have completed the upper level of secondary education and gained a higher education entrance qualification. The Fachschulen and the Fachakademien in Bayern are also part of the tertiary sector.

As per the winter semester 2010/2011, Germany had a total of 415 state-maintained and state-recognised institutions of higher education, which are of the following types:

• Universities and equivalent institutions
• of higher education
• (Technische Hochschulen/Technische Universitäten, Pädagogische Hochschulen, theological colleges et al)
• Colleges of art and music
• Fachhochschulen (incl. Verwaltungsfachhochschulen)

In addition, Germany's tertiary sector also includes either state-run or state-recognised Berufsakademien in some Länder. The Fachschulen and the Fachakademien in Bayern are also part of the tertiary sector.

source:
Eurypedia - The European Encyclopedia on National Education Systems
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/eurypedia_en.php