WORLDWIDE CULTUREL
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
High
School

GERMAN MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Germany is a federal republic, and its education system varies by state (Bundesland). Educational institutions in the country are planned and financed by both the federal and local governments.

To establish a shared foundation for school systems across all states and ensure mutual recognition of general education diplomas, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) has made several key decisions. This collaboration among the states has allowed school systems to evolve in a unified and comparable direction. One of the KMK’s most significant responsibilities is to facilitate student mobility between states. At the same time, Germany’s federal states aim to introduce greater flexibility and diversity into future education policies.

In Germany, compulsory education begins at the age of six and continues until the age of eighteen. Every child who turns six is legally required to attend school. This period of education typically lasts for twelve years.

At the end of high school, students are required to pass the Abitur examination, which qualifies them to receive the “maturity diploma”—a prerequisite for university entrance in Germany.

Turkish students who attend German high schools in Türkiye or can certify at least 120 hours of German language instruction are eligible to apply for the German Ministry of Education’s High School Student Exchange Program.

Accepted students are placed with volunteer German host families by accredited institutions and are assigned to the nearest public high school.