Each of these three categories must be represented among the courses taken by each pupil up through the end of upper secondary instruction, including the Abitur examination. The compulsory coursework also includes religion and sports. Upper secondary instruction at the grammar school concludes with the Abitur examination, which covers four subjects. Upon completing 13 years of schooling and passing the Abitur examination, the pupil is awarded the “certificate of general higher education entrance qualification” (Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife). This certificate (which in four states can presently be earned upon completion of 12 years of schooling) entitles the recipient to study the subject of his or her choice at a university or equivalent institution.

As a matter of principle, the certificate of higher education entrance qualification or the certificate of Fach-hochschule entrance qualification (Fachhochschul-reife) is required for admission to a course of study at a higher education institution. Due to the high number of applicants for the limited number of study places, however, nationwide or local admissions restrictions are in effect for some courses of study. Under both the central and local selection procedures, admission is based on specific criteria, above all the applicant’s Abitur grade average and the “waiting period”, the period of time that has elapsed between the Abitur and the application for admission.