Abitur

Abitur is the word commonly used in Germany for the final exams young adults (aged 18 or 19) take at the end of their secondary education, usually after 12 or 13 years of schooling. The Abiturzeugnis, issued after a candidate has passed their final exams, is the document which contains their grades and which formally enables them to go to university.

Related Topics:
Germany - Secondary education - University

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It can only roughly be compared with a High school degree of secondary education as it allows the graduate, the Abiturient, to start studying at a University. Its importance has grown beyond admission to the university, however, in that it became a frequent prerequisite to start an apprenticeship in some professions (e.g. banking).

Related Topics:
High school - Secondary education - University

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The official term for Abitur in Germany is allgemeine Hochschulreife. The equivalent exam in Austria and other countries of continental Europe is Matura, while in the United Kingdom outside Scotland it is A-levels, and in Scotland it is Advanced Higher Grade.

Related Topics:
Austria - Continental Europe - Matura - United Kingdom - A-levels - Scotland - Advanced Higher Grade

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~