students without a baccalaureate are still rare at universities in Germany. The latest available Figures show that around three percent of the study include catcher to the “non-traditional students”. Instead of the General higher education entrance qualification or the technical baccalaureate, bring a dual system of vocational training, some years of professional activity, and often an additional degree as master or engineer. Welcome to Unis and colleges, areas of opportunity, fairness, and the goal is to make the education system more permeable.
And yet, no reputation precedes them, are now complaining about the authors of a study at the German centre for higher education and scientific research (DZHW). Students without a diploma would be seen in the universities as a “problem group”, their Suitability for a degree course was often doubted. The the Team Andrä Wolter, a University researcher at the Humboldt-Universität (HU): Although there is a higher propensity for dropout, otherwise the study will be performance of the Non-Traditional, but almost identical with those of the high school graduates.
The students appreciate the self-critical
The ongoing study, which is now the “reports on vocational education and training” (Verlag Barbara Budrich, 2019) to provide insights, based on the National educational panel with data for 17,000 students, of which 600 have not graduated from high school or the best. Add to this a qualitative study at the HU, for the Interviews of 35 experienced professionals. Among the special features of the group that the students are on average eight years older than their fellow students.
That the baccalaureate is widely recognized as the only valid ticket of admission for a course of study, confirm the professionally Educated by your critical self-assessment at the beginning of the study. 93 percent have the middle school diploma, all of them have attended vocational schools, but would see for himself, “deficits in academic basic subjects”. Only one-third has, according to its own statement about the study of the required knowledge in mathematics, German and English. In the case of students with a high school diploma, compared to almost three-quarters of the estimate.
Who pulls the studying is just as successful
These gaps in knowledge can be seen as a crucial factor for termination of the trial or the inclination to do so. The dropout rate among students without high school diploma is one-third, of the remaining approximately a quarter of chips. In the Interviews of the HU and in other surveys of the Affected, however, other reasons. Often the older students are burdened with studies, work and family. In view of the high requirements to the University, some decide to in your training career to return to. Or you leave the College because of an interesting new professional perspective, prior to the completion of.
The vast majority of non-traditional students, however, who pulls her studies, at the University as successful as those with a high school diploma. The Censorship ahead of the professionally Qualified sun for one to two-tenths of a Note. Also, during the study progress, measured by the number of performance points since the beginning of the study, showed no differences. “A study of difficulties to be coped with first and foremost by ambition and Motivation, as well as a great willingness to learn and additional investment in time”, – stated in the study.
self-awareness needs to be promoted
But how the universities can help? In the Interviews, the students wished to have a transparent and clearly formulated requirements for the exam preparation. Helpful study advice, which is set on professionally Educated and supported specifically, gaps in knowledge to recognize and address, it would be.
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What study suits me? To make as high school graduates find their way to the University
Miriam Lenz
The University researchers are calling for from the universities, the study for this group “as a jump into cold water”. Also, it is important to promote the self-esteem of non-traditional students – by would you bring about the space, their professional and personal expertise to the study.
