Germany Glossary
Students in Germany encounter not only a very different educational system, but also a vocabulary that mystifies at first. Below are some of the most common words and phrases you might encounter as you begin to research possible program options for study abroad. A few cultural (non-academic) terms are included to help you along.
| German Term | Translation |
| Abitur | Secondary-school final exams, used for admission to university, like “A-levels” in the UK |
| Allgemeine Ortskrankasse (AOK) | Student health insurance |
| AStA or UStA | Student unions |
| Auslandsamt | A university’s international office |
| Bundesliga | The German national soccer league |
| DAF | Deutsch als Fremdsprache – German for foreigners |
| Diplom | Final exam/degree in science, engineering, economics, social sciences |
| ECTS | European Credit Transfer System – a uniform measurement of credit & grades in Europe |
| Fachschaft | The student body in an academic department, e.g., all German majors |
| Grundstudium | Basic studies; introductory study period |
| Handy | Cell phone |
| Hauptseminar | Advanced/upper-level discussion-based class |
| Hauptstudium | Advanced coursework in an academic field |
| Hochschule | German tertiary education |
| Klausur | A proctored examination |
| Kneipe | A pub or bar, especially one frequented by students |
| Kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis | A comprehensive catalog of faculty, departments & courses offered at a German university |
| Kondetorei | A place to buy delicious baked goods and coffee |
| Landeskunde | Cultural studies |
| Mensa | Student cafeteria |
| Mündliche Prüfung | An oral examination |
| Proseminar | A lower-level discussion class for undergraduates at intro level |
| Seminar | A discussion-based class |
| Sommer Semester | The second term of the academic year, from April – July |
| Sprachkurs | Language class |
| Studentenwerk | Student services/social affairs, e.g., housing, counseling, language classes |
| Studentenwohnheim | A student residence hall |
| Übung | A drill or exercise, usually associated with language studies |
| Völkerkunde | Ethnography |
| Vordiplom | An intermediate exam for students in the sciences, engineering, economics, & social sciences |
| Vorlesung | A lecture |
| Vorlesungsverzeichnis | See “Kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis” |
| Winter Semester | The first term of the academic year, October – February |
| Wohngemeinshaft (WG) | A residence hall |
| Zwischenprüfung | An intermediate examination; passages allows continuation of studies to more advanced work |
