Letter: A degree of regret

Sir: May I be permitted to add a comment to Moya Frenz St Leger's views (Letters, 8 February) about the German Abitur. I certainly found the Abitur an inadequate preparation for a British university education. However, A- levels and Abitur are hardly comparable. Most of my British fellow students had specialised at school in just three closely related A-level subjects.

My Abitur certificate, at the other extreme of the educational spectrum, boasts 14 different subjects, not counting PE. Sadly, both countries hold similar views about foreigners: my British baccalaureate was not recognised as a degree by the German authorities.

Yours faithfully,

MAX PLANITZ

London, SE9

8 February