Fachabitur

Fachabitur is the common informal term for the German school‑leaving certificate known officially as the Fachhochschulreife. It is earned by completing a track at a Fachoberschule (FOS) or Berufsoberschule (BOS) and is designed to combine vocational training with a broad general education. The Fachhochschulreife enables access to study at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen). The formal term Fachhochschulreife is used in official contexts, while Fachabitur is widely understood in everyday language.

Structure and content: The qualification is typically obtained after two years of upper secondary education following lower secondary schooling. The curriculum blends general subjects such as German, mathematics, and foreign languages with vocational studies aligned to a chosen field (for example technology, business, social work, or health). Some states require a practical internship or work training as part of the program. The final assessment consists of state exams or graded coursework in core subjects and a subject‑specific examination or project in the chosen field; formats differ by state.

Access to higher education: The Fachhochschulreife grants eligibility to study at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) in Germany and some other German‑speaking countries. Entry to traditional universities (Universitäten) is generally not automatic with the Fachhochschulreife, though in certain programs and under additional qualifications or bridging courses, admission may be possible.

Background and variants: The Fachabitur arises within Germany’s vocational education and training system. It can be earned through the Fachoberschule track or the Berufsoberschule track, with exact requirements and naming varying by state. The concept emphasizes the combination of practical vocational preparation with a pathway to higher education at applied science institutions.