Dropping out of university affects many students, and questions often remain open: how common is it, and do certain groups face it more often? The German Centre for Higher Education and Science Research (DZHW) has published analyses of this. This guide summarises the key figures and explains how to read them.
Quick answer: According to the DZHW, 28 percent of bachelor students in the entry cohorts of 2016 and 2017 ended their studies without a degree. At universities the rate was 35 percent, at universities of applied sciences 20 percent. For master’s degrees the DZHW reports an overall rate of 21 percent. Source: DZHW press release of 17 August 2022. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points
- In the bachelor programme, the DZHW reports an overall dropout rate of 28 percent.
- The rate differs clearly between universities (35 percent) and universities of applied sciences (20 percent).
- For master’s degrees, the overall rate is 21 percent according to the DZHW.
- The figures come from a publication of August 2022 and should be checked against newer DZHW analyses.
- A rate describes a share. It says nothing about the reasons of individual students.
What does the dropout rate measure?
The rate describes the share of students in an entry cohort who leave their studies without a degree. It is therefore not a snapshot, but refers to a whole cohort over several years. For the bachelor the DZHW refers to the entry cohorts of 2016 and 2017, for the master to the entry cohort of 2018. The reference year of the publication is the graduating cohort of 2020.
Whether a change within the same university counts as a dropout follows from the definition used in the survey. Read that definition in the original publication before you compare figures from different sources.
How do universities and universities of applied sciences differ?
The following table shows the values by type of higher education institution and degree, as the press release reports them.
| Type of institution | Bachelor | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 28 percent | 21 percent |
| Universities | 35 percent | 20 percent |
| Universities of applied sciences | 20 percent | 23 percent |
The pattern reverses between the two degrees. In the bachelor programme, the rate at universities is above the rate at universities of applied sciences. In the master programme the picture changes. The press release does not name the causes of these differences, so they remain unexplained here. When choosing between types of institution, look at study format, supervision and course structure rather than the dropout rate alone.
How has the rate developed?
For the bachelor programme, the press release gives a comparison value of 27 percent based on the graduating cohort of 2018. The current value of 28 percent is therefore one percentage point higher. Because the reference years differ, the comparison says little. A reliable trend cannot be derived from it.
What do 28 percent mean in practice?
Percentages can seem abstract, so a calculation helps. Assumption: 200 bachelor students start at a university in the same entry cohort. Calculation: 35 percent of 200 is 70 students. The remaining 130 do not belong to the group of those who drop out. The example shows the order of magnitude. It is not a forecast for a particular degree programme.
Where can you find current figures?
The DZHW press release from August 2022 is the basis of this guide. For newer values, look at the publications of the DZHW itself. There you will also find the definitions and reference years needed for an accurate reading. Figures from guides without a source should be used with caution. When comparing numbers, check the publication date, the reference years and the type of institution. A figure without these details is hard to classify.
What does a dropout mean for insurance and finances?
A dropout affects more than the study itself. With deregistration, the status as a student ends, and questions about health insurance change with it. The sequence and key deadlines are explained in the guide Krankenversicherung beim Studienabbruch: So bleibst du abgesichert (in German). The English version is Health Insurance After Dropout: How to Stay Covered.
BAföG funding follows its own rules for repayment and reporting duties. The basics are explained in BAföG Rates 2026/27: Figures, Allowances and Limits. The Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) is also a point of contact for reorientation after a dropout.
What does a dropout mean for your career entry?
A dropout is not the end of a career path. Many people use the time for vocational training, further education or work that does not require a degree. What counts is how you present the stages. One clear sentence on the reason and the next step usually reads better in an application than an unexplained gap.
A list of your achievements helps: completed modules, internships, part-time jobs and projects. It supports your CV and the question of which credits might be recognised for vocational training. Chambers and training providers advise on this case by case.
- Note completed modules and achievements with dates.
- Summarise internships, part-time jobs and projects in short bullet points.
- Formulate the reason for the dropout in one sentence without blaming anyone.
- Keep the deregistration documents, because authorities often ask for them.
- Fix the next step, such as training or further education, with a date.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the dropout rate for master’s degrees?
According to the DZHW, the overall rate for the master’s programme is 21 percent. It refers to the entry cohort of 2018 and takes a longer period of study into account. At universities it is 20 percent, at universities of applied sciences 23 percent.
Is a dropout a stain on a CV?
A rate says nothing about the individual case. How a dropout looks depends on what comes next and how you explain it. An apprenticeship, paid work or a change of degree shows development. Stated factually, a dropout is part of a biography and not a judgement about you.
Which subjects have higher rates?
The rates differ clearly by field of study. The available values and their interpretation are in the guide Studienabbruch nach Fächergruppen: Was die DZHW-Zahlen zeigen (in German).
Do I have to observe deadlines after a dropout?
Yes. After deregistration you should settle health insurance, BAföG obligations and possible re-enrolment deadlines promptly. The university and the responsible office will give you the exact dates and documents. If you are unsure which office is responsible, the study advice service of your university can help.
Which source is the most reliable?
The DZHW publishes the figures through its own press releases and reports. A press release is a primary source for the figures it contains, but it can be several years old. Use it as a starting point, then check the original report for the current status and the exact definitions.
What to do now
- Read the original DZHW press release and check its date.
- Compare the rate with the reference year and the degree you are interested in.
- Ask your university study advice service if you have doubts.
- If you drop out, settle health insurance, BAföG and deadlines in good time.
- Use the services of the Federal Employment Agency and the study advice service for reorientation.
Related reading
- Health Insurance After Dropout: How to Stay Covered (in German)
- Dropout Rates by Field of Study: What the DZHW Figures Show
- Dropping Out and the Federal Employment Agency: Advice and Support (in German)
- University or University of Applied Sciences: What Suits You Better? (in German)
- Dropping Out of University: Your Alternatives
Sources: DZHW press release on dropout rates, brief 05/2022 (in German, status: 17 August 2022).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
