Ratios of persons qualified to enter higher education, of new entrants and of graduates
1. Ratio of persons qualified to enter higher education
What does the ratio describe?
The ratio denotes the proportion of school leavers aged from 18 to 20 years inclusive who are qualified to enter a course of study. In relation to the age groups of 18 to 20 year olds, the ratio thus gives the proportion of potential new entrants to higher education and is an important indicator for planning purposes in the fields of school education and higher education.
The ratio of persons qualified to enter higher education is shown in a breakdown by sex and citizenship as well as by the Land (federal state) of last school attendance. As regards the higher education entrance qualification, a distinction is made between the general higher education entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur) and the entrance qualification for a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences).How is the ratio calculated?
The ratio is calculated using data from population statistics and school statistics.
To calculate the ratio of persons qualified to enter higher education, we determine the age-specific number (18 to 20 year-olds) of the resident population on 31 December of the year preceding the reference year. To compute the ratio of persons qualified to enter higher education for the year 2003, for instance, we add up the numbers of those aged 18, 19 or 20 years on 31 December 2002 and then calculate the average thereof. The number of those qualified to enter higher education is available from the school statistics for the school year ending in the reference year. Accordingly, the data for the school year 2002/2003 are used for the reference year 2003.When are the data published?
In February of each year, the data for the penultimate year are published in Fachserie 11, Reihe 4.3.1: "Nichtmonetäre hochschulstatistische Kennzahlen" (Subject-Matter Series 11, Series 4.3.1: "Non-monetary indicators on institutions of higher education"), which has been available as of reference year 2003 as a free download from our publication service. Besides the data for the most recent reference year, the publication contains time series dating back to 1980.How accurate is the ratio?
Since the ratio of persons qualified to enter higher education is a purely arithmetic value, its accuracy depends on that of the original values. The latter are derived, as described above, from population statistics and school statistics. The two sets of statistics are not based on sample surveys but on complete enumerations. In both cases, the data are collected by public administrative authorities with a correspondingly high degree of reliability. The population statistics are, however, affected by a certain degree of insecurity because they contain figures that have been updated on the basis of the population census. With an increasing time interval between the population census and the updated figures, the latter become more and more uncertain.2. Ratio of new entrants
What does the ratio describe?
The ratio indicates what proportion of an age cohort of the resident population are new entrants, i.e. students in their first higher education semester. The ratio gives a measure of the "real" flow of new entrants to higher education institutions and therefore is an important indicator for planning purposes in the field of higher education.
The ratio is shown in a breakdown by sex and citizenship. An additional distinction is made between the Land where the higher education entrance qualification has been obtained and the Land where the relevant higher education institution is located.How is the ratio calculated?
The ratio is calculated using data from population and higher education statistics (here: statistics on students).
To calculate the ratio of new entrants, we determine the proportion of new entrants in each age cohort of the resident population. These proportions are then added up. This procedure is in line with the international OECD standard (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). The reference date for the population figures is 31 December of the year preceding the reference year, i.e. 31 December 2002 for the reference year 2003. The number of new entrants is calculated by adding up the numbers of students entering into higher education throughout a study year, which includes the summer semester and the following winter semester. Hence, the total of new entrants in 2003 comprised all new entrants in the summer semester 2003 and those of the winter semester 2003/2004.When are the data published?
In February of each year, the data for the penultimate year are published in Fachserie 11, Reihe 4.3.1: "Nichtmonetäre hochschulstatistische Kennzahlen" (Subject-Matter Series 11, Series 4.3.1: "Non-monetary indicators on institutions of higher education"), which has been available as of reference year 2003 as a free download from our publication service. Besides the data for the most recent reference year, the publication contains time series dating back to 1980.How accurate is the quota?
Since the ratio of new entrants is a purely arithmetic value, its accuracy depends on that of the original values. The latter are derived, as described above, from population statistics and statistics on students, which are part of the statistics on higher education. The two sets of statistics are not based on sample surveys but on complete enumerations. In both cases, the data are collected by public administrative authorities with a correspondingly high degree of reliability. The population statistics are, however, affected by a certain degree of insecurity because they contain figures that have been updated on the basis of the population census. With an increasing time interval between the population census and the updated figures, the latter become more and more uncertain.3. Ratio of graduates
What does the ratio describe?
The ratio describes how many people of one age cohort of the resident population completed their first course of study at an institution of higher education in a specific examination year, i.e. who are graduates. The indicator provides information on the real "output" of higher education institutions in terms of graduates. The data are shown in a breakdown by age, citizenship and Land.How is the ratio calculated?
The ratio is calculated using data from population statistics and higher education statistics (here: examination statistics).
To calculate the ratio of graduates, we determine the proportion of people in each age cohort of the resident population who obtained their first higher education degree in a specific examination year. These proportions are added up. The reference date is 31 December of the year preceding the reference year. This procedure is in line with the international OECD standard (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).How accurate is the ratio?
Since the ratio of graduates is a purely arithmetic value, its accuracy depends on that of the original values. The latter are derived, as described above, from population statistics and examination statistics, which are part of the statistics on higher education. The two sets of statistics are not based on sample surveys but on complete enumerations. In both cases, the data are collected by public administrative authorities with a correspondingly high degree of reliability. The population statistics are, however, affected by a certain degree of insecurity because they contain figures that have been updated on the basis of the population census. With an increasing time interval between the population census and the updated figures, the latter become more and more uncertain.When are the data published?
In February of each year, the data for the penultimate year are published in Fachserie 11, Reihe 4.3.1: "Nichtmonetäre hochschulstatistische Kennzahlen" (Subject-Matter Series 11, Series 4.3.1: "Non-monetary indicators on institutions of higher education"), which has been available as of reference year 2003 as a free download from our publication service. Besides the data for the most recent reference year, the publication contains time series dating back to 1980.
Further information
Statistics of higher education
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