Higher education qualifications
For certain professions you must have a foreign higher education qualification recognised in Germany. For other professions you can have your higher education qualification assessed.
Answers to the following questions are provided here:
Recognition of higher education qualifications
Germany has so-called regulated professions and non-regulated professions. If you have a foreign higher education qualification for a regulated profession you are required in each case to apply for recognition.
Regulated professions include medical practitioners, engineers and teachers. Find out which professions are regulated in the Recognition Finder. A list of all regulated professions in German is available from the European Commission website.
Further information
Assessment of higher education qualifications
Do you have a foreign higher education qualification and would you like to work in a non-regulated profession in Germany? Non-regulated professions include, for example, biologists, mathematicians and economists.
If you already have a residence permit in Germany or come from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you can work in your profession without recognition. Also, you do not necessarily need an assessment of your higher education qualification, though this may be helpful, for example, when applying for a job.
Assessment of your higher education qualification is important when entering Germany from a third country. If your higher education qualification is demonstrably comparable with a German higher education qualification, you may apply for an entry visa to Germany as a recognised skilled worker in order, for example, to look for a job or if you already have a job offer. You may also be able to apply for the EU Blue Card. Further details are available on the Immigration page.
anabin database
In the anabin database, you can check how your university and higher education qualification are evaluated in Germany. Both evaluations are important. This is because your higher education qualification is only regarded as comparable if all three of the following requirements are met:
- The university is listed in the anabin database and rated H+ or H+/-.
- The higher education qualification is equivalent to or corresponds to a German higher education qualification.
- If the university is rated H+/-, the higher education qualification must also be listed under the university.
The anabin database can be found on the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Instructions for using the anabin database can be found under “Further information”.
Statement of Comparability
What happens if your university or your higher education qualification are not listed in the anabin database, or they do not have the appropriate rating? In this case you can have your higher education qualification assessed. The foreign qualification should be at least bachelor’s level. For this, you must apply digitally to the ZAB for a Statement of Comparability. The Statement of Comparability is an official document which records the quality of your higher education qualification. The Statement of Comparability describes your foreign higher education qualification and certifies the options for its use for professional and academic purposes.
Various documents are needed for a Statement of Comparability and these may vary depending on the country of origin. In general, the following documents must be submitted:
- Certificate of completion for the higher education qualification in the original language
- List of subjects and grades for the entire degree
- School-leaving certificate with higher education entrance qualification
- Written confirmation of the form and duration of the degree
- Final certificates for previous degrees in the original language
- Passport or personal identification
If all documents are complete and available, the Statement of Comparability generally takes three months. The Statement of Comparability costs 208 euros, a replacement certificate 104 euros. In the event of cancellation, up to 50 percent of the costs will be charged. This is 20 euros up to a maximum of 104 euros. The digital application form and further information about the Statement of Comparability are available on the ZAB website.
The entries in the anabin database and the Statement of Comparability do not replace the recognition procedure for regulated professions.
Foreign academic degrees
A foreign academic degree may be used in Germany using its original name. Its conversion into a German academic degree is only possible for ethnic German resettlers. Further information regarding the use of foreign academic degrees is available on the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
Further information
Higher education courses in Germany
You are able to continue with a higher education course started abroad in Germany. The institute of higher education or the state examination office take the decision regarding recognition of your higher education and examination performances to date. It is best to contact the institute of higher education you have selected directly for information. The international student's office is responsible for this.
Would you like to start a higher education course in Germany? If so, your school-leaving certificate must entitle you to access higher education in Germany. And you must have recognition for this school-leaving certificate. The recognised school-leaving certificate then becomes your so-called higher education entrance qualification. With this you are permitted to study in Germany. A “Studienkolleg” (preparatory course) prepares foreign students without this recognised school-leaving certificate for study in Germany. In order to start a bachelor's programme, two to three preceding semesters are required.
In Germany, a professional qualification may also entitle you to access higher education, for example a higher education course in the area of your vocational training. You may also be able to sit an entrance examination for a higher education course. Your professional qualification also allows you to apply to a preparatory course.
Find out about the options available to you in the anabin database of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). The website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides information about selected countries.
How do I find an institute of higher education? How do I apply for a course? Do I need a visa? Answers to these questions and further information can be found on the website “Study in Germany”.
You are able to use previous achievements at work or in higher education for your degree in Germany. Find out more about this on the page “HRK: AN! Recognition and crediting in studies” of the German Rector's Conference (HRK).
Further information
University Educational Guidance Guarantee Fund (Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule)
Are you under 30? If so, you can contact the University Educational Guidance Guarantee Fund (GF-H). This provides advice and support if you are starting a course in Germany or wish to continue with the course. Refugees and ethnic German resettlers are also able to apply to the GF-H educational guidance service for financial support. Financial support is available for example for language courses, special training courses and courses at a Studienkolleg (preparatory course). Further information is available on the website of the GF-H educational guidance service.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) awards scholarships to international students, graduates and researchers from abroad.
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