Exchange in Germany: Ausbildung or graduation? Discover which path transforms your career

Both paths offer incredible opportunities in Germany, but each one meets very specific objectives. Let's unravel the differences, advantages, and how you can make the best decision for your international journey.
What is Ausbildung: the formation that the German market loves
The Ausbildung program is much more than a Brazilian technical course - it is a complete professional training that combines academic theory with paid practical experience. This dual system, unique to Germany, prepares highly qualified professionals in more than 350 different areas, from technology to gastronomy.
During Ausbildung, you spend half your time studying at a vocational school and the other half working in a real company, immediately applying what you've learned. This methodology ensures that you leave training not only with theoretical knowledge, but with valuable practical experience and established professional connections.
What makes Ausbildung even more attractive is the remuneration during the entire training period. You receive between €515 and €1,600 monthly while you study, depending on the area you choose. With the new German minimum wage of €12.82 per hour in 2025, even starting positions offer significant financial stability.
International degree: your passport to global careers
Graduating from German universities offers a high-level academic experience, focusing on the development of analytical skills, critical thinking, and in-depth knowledge in your area of choice. The programs last between 3 and 4 years and are taught in both German and English, depending on the institution.
One of the great advantages of graduating in Germany is the possibility of studying in English at renowned private universities, eliminating the initial language barrier. These institutions offer programs with international methodology, multicultural faculty, and global networking that can open doors anywhere in the world.
The German university environment also provides a unique cultural experience, with students from over 100 different countries. This diversity greatly enriches your personal and professional training, developing intercultural competencies that are increasingly valued by the global market.
Main differences between Ausbildung and graduation
Ausbildung features:
- Duration: 2 to 3 years of intensive training
- Bahasa: German required (minimum B1 level)
- Format: Dual system (50% school + 50% company)
- Compensation: €515 to €1,600 monthly during training
- Requirements: Complete high school education and professional aptitude
- Foco: Practical preparation for the labor market
- Areas: Over 350 technical and specialized professions
Graduation characteristics:
- Duration: 3 to 4 years of academic studies
- Bahasa: German or English (depending on the university)
- Format: Theoretical classes with practical projects
- Costs: University fees and blocked account required
- Requirements: High school and proficiency in the course language
- Foco: Academic development and analytical skills
- Areas: Wide range of academic and research fields
The most sought after professions at Ausbildung
The Ausbildung program covers an impressive diversity of professional areas, many of which are in high demand in today's German market. The opportunities go far beyond traditional technical professions, including modern and growing sectors.
Traditional areas with high demand:
- Health and care: Nursing, physical therapy, elderly care, radiology technician
- Information Technology: Software development, systems administration, cybersecurity
- Engineering and manufacturing: Mechatronics, industrial automation, renewable energy technician
- Commerce and administration: Sales management, logistics, human resources, digital marketing
Emerging and innovative sectors:
- Sustainability: Technician in solar energy, environmental management, green technologies
- Premium hospitality: Hotel management, sommelier, specialized chef
- Design and media: UX/UI design, audiovisual production, content marketing
- Specialized services: Financial consulting, professional coaching, event management
Blocked account: your financial voucher for Germany
To study in Germany, whether at Ausbildung or undergraduate, you need to prove sufficient financial resources through a blocked account. This is a mandatory requirement of the German government to ensure that you are able to remain in the country during your studies.
The current amount required is €11,904 for the first year, deposited in a special account that releases €992 monthly. This amount covers basic expenses such as housing, food, and transportation, ensuring your initial financial stability in Germany.
It is important to plan this investment in advance, as the blocked account must be active before applying for a student visa. Many Brazilian families organize this amount over 12 to 18 months before the trip, making financial planning easier.
Language preparation: your key to success
For the Ausbildung:
Mastering German is essential for Ausbildung, as you'll be working directly with German clients and colleagues. Level B1 is the minimum required, but we recommend reaching B2 to have more confidence in the professional environment.
Our linguistic preparation focused on Ausbildung includes technical vocabulary specific to your area of interest, job interview simulations, and training for practical situations in the German work environment.
For graduation in English:
If you choose a degree taught in English, you need to prove proficiency through tests such as IELTS (minimum 6.5) or TOEFL (minimum 80 points). In parallel, we recommend studying basic German to facilitate everyday life in the country.
Even in English-language programs, knowing German opens up more opportunities for part-time work while studying and significantly improves your cultural experience in Germany.
Job opportunities and career progression
After the Ausbildung:
Professionals trained at Ausbildung have excellent employment prospects, with an employability rate above 95% in most areas. The starting salary ranges from €2,200 to €3,800 per month, depending on the specialization and region.
Many Ausbildung graduates later graduate (called the “second educational path”), combining practical experience with advanced academic knowledge. This combination is highly valued by the German market.
After graduation:
Graduates from German universities have access to higher level positions, with starting salaries between €3,500 and €5,500 monthly. The German degree is recognized worldwide, opening up opportunities both in Germany and internationally.
The degree experience in Germany also facilitates access to master's and doctoral programs, creating paths to academic and research careers.
Which path to choose: decisive factors
Choose Ausbildung if you:
- Prefers practical learning and immediate application
- Do you want to enter the labor market quickly
- Are you interested in specific technical professions?
- Do you want to receive compensation during training
- He plans to settle permanently in Germany
- Are you fluent with languages and want to master professional German
Choose graduation if you:
- Search for broad and in-depth academic training
- Plan an international or academic career
- Do you want flexibility to study in English initially?
- Are you interested in areas that require extensive theoretical knowledge
- Do you plan to do a master's or doctorate later
- Values the university environment and academic networking
Accelerated German learning: your competitive advantage
The command of German is the differential that can completely transform your opportunities in Germany, whether for Ausbildung or graduation. With our revolutionary online methodology in partnership with ILAC (International Language Academy of Canada), you can accelerate your learning up to 8 times compared to traditional methods, achieving fluency in just 12 months with 20-25 hours of structured study per week.
Our online German program offers daily live classes with certified native teachers, weekly cultural workshops, and premium teaching material, all with full flexibility of schedules in three different shifts. This language preparation not only meets the proficiency requirements required by German programs, but also develops the cultural confidence necessary to excel in selection processes and adapt quickly to the German professional environment. With internationally recognized certification, you will have in hand the official documentation accepted in visa and work processes, ensuring that your journey to Germany starts off on the right foot from Brazil.
Be Easy
Na Be Easy, we transform the complexity of choosing between Ausbildung and graduation into a clear and personalized process for each student. Our specialized team knows each program thoroughly and works with you to identify the path that best matches your goals, background, and future aspirations. Contact us and discover how we can make your German educational journey a transformative and perfectly planned experience!