Students can earn the fachhochschulreife after successfully completing vocational education and passing a qualifying entrance exam. This entitles a student to enter a fachhochschule or training college, and to continue post-secondary occupational or professional training in engineering or technical fields. Vocational education and training is a joint government and industry program. In 1992-1993, higher education was available at 314 institutions of higher learning and had 1.9 million students enrolled. German university students can complete their first degree in about five years.
Advanced degrees require further study.
Tuition is no more than a nominal fee except at a few private universities. Costs only include meeting living expenses. Low-income students have the opportunity to take advantage of interest free loans that are available. If a student graduates in the top third of their class, or ahead of schedule, a portion of these loans may be forgiven. In the United States, the government also plays a role in education.