Studying with a high school diploma: This is how it works without a high school diploma

"You can only study with a high school diploma" – that's not true! Studying with a high school diploma is also possible. Christine Mahrenholz from Toni Knows shows how it works with Fachabi to start studying.

A myth that is still widespread but still not applicable is that you can only start studying with a classic high school diploma. There are other ways you can get to the university: Because not only the general Abitur qualifies you for a degree, but also the technical college entrance qualification or subject-related higher education entrance qualification – and you can achieve this without the usual 12 or 13 school years at the high school .

What is the difference between Fachabi, Fachhochschulreife and Fachgebundene Hochschulreife?

In everyday life, most people only speak of "technical college" without going into more detail about what it means. There are two types of Fachabis: From the "University entrance qualification" is mentioned when you complete an apprenticeship and then, for example, attain a degree at a vocational high school. It has to be separated from that "subject-related university entrance qualification", where you can completely specialize in your desired subject area and then study at some universities.

Christine Mahrenholz has with Toni Knows launched an online study and career choice test that gives individual recommendations based on personality. She also works as a consultant for schoolchildren and adults in the career advisory service Struss & Claussen Personal Development. In both places, she helps people to recognize themselves in their uniqueness and to find the right professional place for themselves.

How do you get your high school diploma?

Several paths lead to the Fachabi. For example, you can drop out of school after eleventh grade one year internship complete or complete an FSJ (Voluntary Social Year) and get your general technical college entrance qualification.

Another option is not to attend upper secondary school at the classical high school, but instead one Vocational high school or a technical high school. You can choose a specialist focus there, for example in the areas of social affairs, health, technology or business administration, to achieve a subject-related university entrance qualification – and then start a suitable course of study.

Also with Secondary or secondary school leaving certificate suits you – after you have one Vocational training completed – the opportunity to study in a subject that suits the training at universities of applied sciences.

Is it possible to study with a university entrance qualification at universities?

Some federal states have decided to admit applicants with a university entrance qualification not only for universities of applied sciences, but also for universities – for example Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and Hesse. Universities are free to decide whether to admit applicants with a university entrance qualification for certain subjects. At the University of Hildesheim, for example, you can apply for a primary school teaching qualification, and the TU Darmstadt also allows applicants without a high school diploma to study computer science.

Can you complete a dual or distance learning course with Fachabi?

Instead of a university of applied sciences or university, there are other options with your university entrance qualification: A dual study program is characterized by the fact that theoretical lessons are supplemented with practical experience in a company. In order to be able to study dual, you should follow the admission regulations of your desired university. On the other hand, you have to check what conditions the partner company applies to applicants. The best thing to do is to get the information you need early to increase your chances of finding a place to study. University access to distance learning is also possible with Fachabi. As with dual studies, the following applies: Distance learning universities and colleges have their own rules on who qualifies for a degree. Simply inform yourself at the university of your choice. Distance learning is perfect for anyone who is also doing vocational training or is already working. It offers you a lot of flexibility in organizing your learning and working hours.

What subjects can you study with a high school diploma?

Whether business administration, social affairs or technical: There are a lot of areas that you can access with a subject for studying. Entry into the following practical courses is particularly common:

  • business Informatics
  • industrial engineering
  • Business Administration / Economics
  • Engineering
  • Civil engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • Social work
  • Social management
  • psychology
  • pedagogy

What are the requirements for studying with a special school in different federal states?

With the Fachabitur you have many opportunities to study all over Germany, at technical colleges and in some cases also universities. However, there are different admission requirements in the federal states. In some, so-called assessment procedures are used to check your suitability for study. There are often aptitude tests for special subjects, such as art, sports or linguistics. We recommend that you first find out for yourself which subject you would like to study. You should make this decision primarily dependent on your own personality, your talents and strengths. In the second step, you can then research various university options online that offer your desired degree. After all, it is best to ask each of the universities and universities what conditions would make it possible to study with a high school diploma.

Are you still unsure what you want to study? Find out with Toni Knows' test!