* Average age of first degree university graduates (all degrees) in each year. Figures for years preceding 2017 were retrieved from the publication "Bildung und Kultur - Prüfungen an Hochschulen".
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Age of first degree university graduates in Germany from 2003 to 2023
The average age of German first degree university graduates has gone down in recent years, which means that students are both starting their studies and finishing them earlier, without prolonging. Currently the average age stands at **** years old. After their first degree many graduates might also decide to pursue a second one, for example a Masters.
Over half a million first-years
In the most recent winter semester, there were **first-year students. At German universities, the academic year is divided into the winter and summer semesters. Start and end dates may vary depending on the type of university and course of study. On average, first-degree students studied for around eight semesters. State universities still attracted the ** student numbers, followed by universities of applied sciences.
What do they study?
German universities offer a wide variety of courses and degrees. In terms of subject groups, the ** number of students were enrolled in law, economics and sciences, followed by engineering. These numbers might be related to thoughts about the future, when looking at average starting salaries for university graduates by field.
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Statistisches Bundesamt. (September 16, 2024). Average age of first degree university graduates in Germany from 2003 to 2023 (in years)* [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 23, 2026, from /statistics/584325/first-degree-university-graduates-age-germany/
Statistisches Bundesamt. "Average age of first degree university graduates in Germany from 2003 to 2023 (in years)*." Chart. September 16, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 23, 2026. /statistics/584325/first-degree-university-graduates-age-germany/
Statistisches Bundesamt. (2024). Average age of first degree university graduates in Germany from 2003 to 2023 (in years)*. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 23, 2026. /statistics/584325/first-degree-university-graduates-age-germany/
Statistisches Bundesamt. "Average Age of First Degree University Graduates in Germany from 2003 to 2023 (in Years)*." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 16 Sep 2024, /statistics/584325/first-degree-university-graduates-age-germany/
Statistisches Bundesamt, Average age of first degree university graduates in Germany from 2003 to 2023 (in years)* ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/584325/first-degree-university-graduates-age-germany/ (last visited July 23, 2026)
Average age of first degree university graduates in Germany from 2003 to 2023 (in years)* [Graph], Statistisches Bundesamt, September 16, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/584325/first-degree-university-graduates-age-germany/
