The number of students and doctoral candidates completing a degree at a German higher education institution reached about 527,600 in the 2025 examination year. That was an increase of 16,000, or 3%, from 2024, while women continued to represent 53% of graduates. Germany's Federal Statistical Office, Destatis, reported the figures on Friday, October 2.

Bachelor degrees outside teacher training remained the largest category, rising 4% to 256,000 and making up 49% of all qualifications. Non-teaching master's degrees increased by 1% to 150,800, maintaining a 29% share of the overall total.

Teacher-training qualifications numbered 51,700. The combined total of master's and state examination credentials that qualify graduates to teach advanced 6% to 32,400, the strongest proportional increase among the highlighted categories. Doctorates also rose, climbing 2.4% to 28,800.