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Study abroad in
Germany
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in Germany, stepping into the shoes of a local high school student and living with a German host family.
Going with WEP is best
Since 1988, a wide choice of destinations and comprehensive assistance before, during and after your overseas programme. WEP is the ideal partner for your big overseas adventure.
Like you, we also get to choose who we travel with: our schools, host families and overseas partner organisations are carefully selected.
We offer a custom-made insurance policy, specifically designed for our participants, and we have a solid network behind us.
Emergency assistance, overseas and in the UK, is available 7 days out of 7, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Allowing all our participants to live their desired overseas experience is a mission, a challenge we're thrilled to accept.
Why study in Germany?
Studying in Germany on a student exchange programme is much more than an opportunity to improve your German: it's a true cultural journey, a full immersion in a country rich in history, traditions and... fun.
Germany is the native country of many artists and great minds, such as Goethe, Bach and Kant, who shaped and transformed the German mindset and the world in general. Every German city has treasures waiting to be discovered: impressive museums, majestic cathedrals, incredible castles, but also music festival, Oktoberfest, and the famous German Christmas markets with their lights, artisanal produce and typical dishes such as Currywurst and Bretzel.
In addition to its cultural and historical heritage, Germany is a country of innovation and creativity, always ready for change and open to transformation. You'll be studying in a country at the centre of Europe, full of opportunities!
Study in Germany with WEP
Studying in Germany as an exchange student allows you to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and language, improving your German as you experience life as a local and make new friendships and connections.
Through WEP's high school exchange programme to Germany, you will discover the most authentic side of Deutschland as you attend a local high school and live with a host family, allowing you to get close to the culture and customs of the German people.
The German education system
School in Germany starts at the age of 6 with Grundschule, primary school, which lasts 4 years. Depending on each Länder (region), students can continue with different types of lower and upper secondary schools: Hauptschule/Realschule (from year 5 to 10), Gesamtschule (year 5 to 12) or Gymnasium (year 5 to 12). Students attending Gymnasium, the most academically-focused type of pathway, sit a final exam called Abitur to obtain their high school diploma.
For those wishing to continue with higher education, there are several choices: university, offering a wide range of academic subjects such as medicine, history and literature; or Fachhochschulen and Hochschulen, which have a larger focus on vocational education, teaching students the necessary practical and professional skills to enter the workforce in their chosen sector.
FAQ
To participante in a high school exchange program to Germany, you need to be between 14 and 18 years old on departure, have a C grade average, be a non-smoker, and have positive personal traits - such as being motivated, curious, tolerant, open and adaptable. You also need to have an intermediate level of German, and be physically and emotionally healthy - please discuss any specific conditions or requirements with WEP in advance.
Our high school exchange programmes in Germany can be of different durations: 3,5 or 10 months. The exact duration depends on the departure period - please contact WEP for more information.
To decide which duration is best for you, you should reflect on what you would like to achieve through the programme, and discuss your preferences both with your family (they need to be on board!) and with your school. In particular, make sure you discuss with a school representative what their policies are, regarding coming back from an exchange programme and re-integrating into school in the UK.
It's always best to check our website and/or obtain an online quote to see updated programme prices.
We know a high school exchange programme overseas is a significant financial investment. We do our best to offer competitive prices, which vary depending on the destination and chosen programme, and provide discounts and special promotions to help towards the cost.
You will live with a German volunteer host family, who may be located anywhere in the country.