abitur

Abitur, short for Allgemeine Hochschulreife, is the standard university entrance qualification in Germany. It is awarded after completing the gymnasiale Oberstufe or an equivalent secondary education program, including forms like Gesamtschule or Berufliches Gymnasium. The exact requirements and exam structure differ by state due to Germany's federal system; however, all variants culminate in a final assessment that combines ongoing coursework with final examinations.

In the upper secondary phase, students typically choose two or more advanced subjects (Leistungskurse) and several core subjects. The final Abitur examinations are usually conducted as written exams in several subjects and may include an oral component; the exact number and subjects vary by state. The scores from coursework and examinations determine the overall Abitur grade, which is used for university admission.

The Abitur entitles holders to study at universities and other higher education institutions. Some pathways are called Fachhochschulreife, which qualifies only for admission to universities of applied sciences. In some states there are additional vocationally oriented routes to the Abitur, such as through Berufliches Gymnasium or adult education centers (Kollegs, Abendgymnasien).

Beyond Germany, analogous qualifications exist in other German-speaking regions, though with different names. In Austria and most cantons of Switzerland the corresponding diploma is known as Matura or Maturität.