The number of degrees conferred by German higher education institutions reached approximately 511,600 in the 2024 academic year, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This represents a 1.9 percent increase compared to the 501,900 graduates in 2023. The most significant proportional increases were observed in doctoral degrees and qualifications for teaching positions.
Bachelor’s degrees continue to be the most common outcome of higher education, accounting for nearly half (48 percent, or 245,600) of all degrees awarded in 2024. This figure reflects a slight increase of 0.8 percent from the previous year (2023: 243,600). Simultaneously, the number of Master’s degrees (excluding teaching qualifications) rose by 1.9 percent, reaching 149,300 in 2024, compared to 146,500 in 2023. Master’s degrees accounted for 29 percent of all degrees, maintaining the same proportion as in 2023.
Degrees qualifying individuals for teaching roles represented 10 percent of the total, or 49,700 graduates. This breakdown included 19,100 Bachelor’s degrees, 20,200 Master’s degrees and 10,400 state examination degrees. The combined number of Master’s and state examination degrees for teaching positions grew by 5 percent year-on-year, rising from 29,000 to 30,600.
Doctoral degrees accounted for 28,200, or 6 percent of all degrees awarded in 2024, up from 26,600 in 2023. This resulted in a 6 percent increase in the proportion of graduates attaining a doctorate, marking the largest percentage increase among degree categories.
The data also includes 31,000 conventional university and artistic degrees (such as state examinations outside of teaching and university diplomas) and 7,800 conventional university of applied sciences degrees (e.g., Bachelor of Applied Sciences).
Analyzing degrees by subject area, the largest share, 41 percent, were awarded in law, economics and social sciences. Approximately one-quarter (25 percent) of degrees fell within the engineering disciplines. Mathematics, natural sciences and related fields accounted for 11 percent of higher education qualifications, while humanities represented 9 percent. Degrees in human medicine and health sciences accounted for 7 percent. The remaining degrees were distributed among other subject areas including sports, agricultural, forestry and nutrition sciences, veterinary medicine and arts and art history.
