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German Schools Abroad

German Schools Abroad are educational institutions located outside Germany that operate according to German educational standards. They provide high-quality schooling for both German and international students.

German Schools Abroad stand for high quality standards, fostering international exchange and promoting intercultural dialogue

German Schools Abroad – Excellence in Education Worldwide

German Schools Abroad serve German families living outside Germany who seek a German-language education for their children. As schools of encounter, they also welcome students from host countries and diverse cultural backgrounds, offering them the opportunity to engage with German language, culture, and values.

These schools prepare students for the challenges of a globalized world. Their curricula reflect the academic breadth and depth of German education, while fostering multilingual proficiency—particularly in foreign languages—to ensure students can communicate effectively at a high level in both academic and professional contexts. A vibrant school life enriched by sports, arts, and cultural activities complements the strong academic foundation.

Graduates typically earn a German or binational qualification, such as the German First School Leaving Certificate, Intermediate School Leaving Certificate, vocational qualifications, or the Abitur. Since 2009, many schools have offered the German International Abitur, enabling students to take selected Abitur exams in a foreign language following bilingual instruction. Additionally, students may obtain host-country qualifications or the International Baccalaureate (IB), which under certain conditions grants access to higher education in Germany.

Globus

Mission and Goals of German Schools Abroad

German Schools Abroad aim to create a positive image of Germany around the world. They promote the German language and culture internationally and help attract highly qualified students and professionals to Germany.

These schools see themselves as places of encounter, shared learning, personal development, and intercultural exchange between Germany and its partner countries.

Joint responsibility of the federal government and the states

The German schools abroad system is jointly overseen by the federal government and the states, with both fulfilling their responsibilities as enshrined in the Basic Law. Joint federal-state inspections serve to ensure quality assurance and continuous improvement at German schools abroad.

Through its state representatives for international school affairs, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) exercises school supervision to guarantee the quality and comparability of German school-leaving qualifications abroad.

Mission and Goals of German Schools Abroad

German Schools Abroad aim to create a positive image of Germany around the world. They promote the German language and culture internationally and help attract highly qualified students and professionals to Germany.

These schools see themselves as places of encounter, shared learning, personal development, and intercultural exchange between Germany and its partner countries.

Teaching Abroad

The German system of schools abroad is significantly shaped by the deployment of teachers from the federal states of Germany.

Every year, the federal states grant leave to almost 2,000 experienced and dedicated teachers for work at schools abroad. The assigned teachers are only employed at a school temporarily. This ensures that the teaching staff remains connected to current developments in the German educational system.

If you, as a teacher or school administrator, are personally interested:

Here you can find more information about the German school system abroad and the application process.

 

 

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