Fachoberschule
The Fachoberschule is a type of German vocational school for young people aged 16 to 18 years old. It also provides a pathway into university in some areas of Germany.
History
The concept of the Fachoberschule was introduced in 1969 in West Germany as a result of student protests in the 1960s, which culminated in the protests of 1968, except for Baden-Württemberg. They were opened throughout most of the country at the beginning of the school year 1969/70. Hamburg and Berlin started at Easter 1970 and Bavaria on 9 September 1970.Grades
The Fachoberschule is usually attended by students of the German school grades 11 and 12.In the German federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, Bavaria, and Berlin, there is also a further year group, where students can complete their Abitur.
Curriculum
Different subjects are offered depending on the state. In Baden-Württemberg this type of school does not exist; instead, various types of school offer vocational education, which lead to similar qualifications as a Fachoberschule.| State | Subjects |
| Bavaria | Technology; Economy, Administration and Management; Social work; Design; Agriculture, bio and environmental technology. From 2013 as a trial at three schools, international business and health |
| Berlin | Technology ; Economy & Administration and Management; Social pedagogy; Health; Nutrition and housekeeping; Layout; Agricultural economics; Natural sciences |
| Brandenburg | Technology ; Economy & Administration and Management; Social pedagogy; Care and health; Home economics; Design |
| Hamburg | Technology ; Economy & Administration and Management; Social pedagogy; Nursing and Health; Home economics; Design |
| Hesse | Design; Health; Social work; Technology ; Economy |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Economy; Administration; Metal technology; Seafaring; Electrical engineering; Construction engineering; Computer science; Layout; Nutrition and housekeeping; Agricultural economics; Social pedagogy |
| Lower Saxony | Economy and administration ; Technology ; Health and social affairs ; Layout; Nutrition and housekeeping; agricultural economics |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Agriculture, biological and environmental technology; Nutrition and housekeeping; Design; Health and social affairs; Technology ; economy & Administration and Management |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | Technology; Natural sciences; Economy; Social work; Nutrition and housekeeping; Design; Agricultural economics; policing |
| Saarland | Technology; Engineering ; Economy; Social pedagogy; Design; Tourism; nutrition |
| Saxony | Technology; Economy & Administration and Management; Social work; Layout; Agricultural economics; Police enforcement service |
| Saxony-Anhalt | Technology ; Economy ; Health and social affairs ; Layout; Agricultural economics; Police enforcement service |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Technology; Economy; Nutrition and housekeeping; Health and social work; Design; agricultural economics |
| Thüringia | Technology ; Economy and administration ; Health and social work; Nutrition and housekeeping; design |