Foreign Ademic Qualification

In Germany, there is an organization that compares existing qualifications to those closest to the German degree equivalent. This is an official, federally mandated process that is unavoidable for all international students hoping to study in Germany. The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is the organization that performs this process in higher education. It is important to note that professional recognition is not the same as academic recognition. This means that while a student may have several professional certificates, only academic certificates and qualifications are taken into account.

Out of more than 50.000 institutions worldwide listed in the database of the ZAB:

• approx. 62% are fully recognized.
• approx. 21% have an unclear status. Here, it is up to the individual German university to decide whether they accept your degree.
• approx. 11% are not recognized.
• approx. 6% were not assigned a value.

The ZAB has got a publicly available data base called “anabin”. You can use this data base yourself to check if your degree is recognized in Germany. Attention: This site is only available in German. The offices authorized to confirm foreign academic certificates (elaborated below) are located in all major German cities. A full list can be found on the Anabin website.

Studienkolleg

Studienkollegs are institutions created specifically to help overseas students integrate into the German academic system and culture. This transitional education is designed for students whose German language skills are not yet at the level needed for academic study or whose foreign credentials did not translate into equal academic credentials in Germany. The Studienkolleg has two distinct academic divisions: Applied Sciences and University. Students are assigned to a specific studienkolleg based on the educational subject. For additional information, please refer to the "International Student's Guide to Studienkolleg" on our website.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

In order to aid in the transfer process for students who move between countries, the European Union uses a recognition of education into credits. This system is called the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System but is more commonly referred to as ECTS. Students are encouraged to visit the official European Commission ECTS site for more details, however, a brief summary of the system is below:

• 60 ECTS credits = 1 full year of study or work.
• Bachelor's must have either 180 or 240 ECTS credits.
• Master’s must have 90 to 120 ECTS credits.

Special cases of recognition (US High School, IB, GCE)

Many students who intend to study abroad after completing their degree programmes graduate with a specific certificate that is recognised internationally. In addition, a lot of US students wonder how their high school certificates are accepted in Germany. This section will look at three separate examples and the German recognitions of the corresponding certificates. In addition, we listed legitimate sources for these laws. Diplomas may only have a subject-restricted university entry qualification depending on courses taken during prior study.

We strongly advise students and parents to get in touch with the programme coordinators of the study programmes they (or their children) will be applying to if they have specific queries about the recognition or acceptance of a school-leaving certificate. The following material outlines broad guidelines, although in the end universities and specific programme admissions departments have the final say on whether courses or certificates count toward a degree program's admission requirements.

Recognition of the US High School Diploma in Germany

The recognition of a high school diploma from the United States to qualify for a bachelor’s degree program in Germany varies on many conditions which need to be met by the high school study program. Not all high school diplomas will be recognized as sufficient to immediately begin bachelor’s studies as the German Higher Education System takes into account specifically which courses and examinations students have taken in high school. It is recommended students consult the DAAD database on admissions requirements to determine their high school qualifications. The details for qualifications are detailed below.

General High School Qualifications

Continuous enrollment in classes 9 through 12 is required to receive a high school diploma (i.e. no gap years). Students have finished a total of 16 "academic units" over the course of these studies, which include the following:

• 4 units (3 units are sufficient for 11 forms) English with a minimum grade C: English IV or Honors or AP English,
• 2 units second language,
• 3 units social studies,
• 5 units in total mathematics and science:
• 2 or 3 units mathematics with a minimum grade C: algebra II or trigonometry and precalculus,
• 2 or 3 units science with a minimum grade C: biology, chemistry or physics,
• 2 academic units free to choose.

Students may qualify awaiting further examination if they have satisfied the aforementioned requirements in their high school coursework. For further details on this additional qualification, please see the part after this one.

Recognition of the IB diploma in Germany

The International Baccalaureate diploma (IB diploma) is a leaving-school qualification that is recognized internationally and awarded by a Geneva-based International Baccalaureate Organization. The IB Diploma can be earned from schools around the globe. In Germany, the IB diploma is generally recognized as a school-leaving certificate if the requirements are “as stipulated in the decision of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs on March 10th, 1986 in the amended version dated March 7th, 2019 are fulfilled,” (DAAD).

The IB diploma offers either direct general university admission or subject-specific admission, depending on the subjects listed in the IB diploma. The admissions requirements of study programs vary and universities can determine whether the IB diploma requirements are met in order to qualify for a specific study program. When applying to German institution, students will need to present their IB diploma along with a certificate which lists all exam and subject grades; both must be submitted by the IB organization.

Recognition of the General Certificate of Education (GCE) in Germany

Similar to a high school diploma from the US, the General Certificate of Education (GCE) can provide students with a subject-restricted university entrance qualification. Final decisions on whether a particular student’s GCE is sufficient qualification for a study program in Germany is left to the universities admissions offices.

In order for a GCE to be recognized in Germany, the following conditions must be met:

Basic requirements

• Provide evidence of 4 examination subjects independent of one another in general education,
• must include: a language, mathematics, or a natural science (biology, chemistry, or physics),
• a minimum of 3 of the 4 examination subjects must be passed on the level of GCE AL. The GCE AS level is sufficient for the 4th examination.

Subject-specific requirements

For humanities, law, social sciences, economics, or art, students must:

• show evidence of a subject in the GCE AL in the relevant field of studies,
• have a GCE AL in maths for a course of study involving economics and social sciences.

For natural sciences, students must:

• demonstrate a total of two GCE AL examinations in maths, biology, chemistry, and physics.

For technical studies and maths:

• GCE AL in mathematics,
• GCE AL in biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science.

For medicine (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy), students must:

• have completed 4 of the following GCE AL subjects: maths, biology, chemistry, and physics.

Additional requirements

• Two subjects on the level GCE AS can be included in place of one GCE AL,
• evidence of GCE AS/AL exam subjects that are vocational are accepted on a case-by-case basis,
• proof of “key skills” are not taken into account for university admissions in Germany,
• a language examination in English that has not been taken as part of the GCE AL/AS cannot be substituted for a subject in GCE AL/AS,
• must submit official certificates of higher education entrance qualification by the beginning of the second semester of studies,
• must have completed a total of 12 consecutive years of schooling.

The information presented in this article is based on regulations implemented by the German Central Office for Foreign Education and data published in the Anabin Database from the same office. This information is meant to serve as a general guide for students and is not considered binding for certification authorities. Students should consult the Anabin database and prospective universities for specific details regarding their university entrance qualification.