The system of higher education of the German Democratic Republic is described. Information on the different kinds of colleges--universities, university colleges, and engineering and technical colleges--is provided, including admission procedures, course objectives, course content and structure, further education, paths leading to the award of higher academic degrees, types of academic degrees awarded, training of foreign students, research at higher education institutions, the role of the library in the tertiary education system, senior academic staff, junior members of academic staffs at universities and university colleges, and college lecturers. Additional topics include: the integrated system of state administration, the administration of universities and university colleges, the administration of engineering and technical colleges, and international cooperation by universities, university colleges, and technical colleges. Appendices include diagrams of: the Integrated Socialist Education System, the routes to technical education, and the administrative structure at a university. Also appended are timetables for the curricula of livestock farming and technology of metal processing, and a list of higher education institutions. (SW)