The German schools abroad, usually public schools, offer various educational programmes and degrees. In addition to the classic German Abitur (abroad via the German International Abitur Examination - DIAP) and the Mixed Language International Baccalaureate (GIB) and occasionally the International Baccalaureate (IB), many schools abroad also offer intermediate school-leaving certificates (Realschulabschluss, Hauptschulabschluss).

A few German schools abroad offer dual training or the Fachoberschule. With this intercultural, competence-oriented and also practical education, graduates have good career opportunities worldwide.

The majority of German schools abroad are designed as encounter schools. In addition to German children living abroad with their parents, the doors of the schools abroad are also open to children of other nationalities.

There are currently 135 German schools abroad in 72 countries around the world that provide school education according to German standards. German as well as international and, where applicable, national qualifications can be obtained.

In the German schools abroad, pupils are taught in the German language. In addition, in the sense of an encounter school, parts of the lessons are also held in the national language or in foreign languages.

German schools abroad do not only teach knowledge and language skills. The schools attach great importance to intercultural exchange and actively cultivate partnerships with schools in Germany. This gives pupils the opportunity - as part of an exchange - to get to know Germany on site.