International Agreements/Agreements on Academic Equivalences and Recognition

The recognition of foreign studies and academic qualifications is embodied as a principle in German higher education legislation and operationalized by detailed provisions and instruments at various levels. These include international bilateral agreements at governmental level between the Federal Republic of Germany and other countries on “Equivalences in the Field of Higher Education” as well as “Agreements on Higher Education Cooperation” concluded by the German Rectors' Conference  (HRK) with partner institutions abroad. Based on an informal division of labor (with some exceptions proving the rule), the governmental agreements are with European states, while the agreements of the HRK relate to non-European countries. Though the format of both types of agreement differ in some respects, they both serve the function to promote and to organize international academic miobility.

(1.1) Content

The „Agreements  on Higher Education Cooperation" between the HRK and partner institutions abroad contain recommendations for the admission and placement of students at higher educations institutions in either country at various levels of study and for doctoral studies.

In addition, these agreements provide recommendations for cooperation between institutions, in particular in the fields of study and research, and for the exchange of information, consultations and cooperation relating to issues of higher education policies between the HRK and the respective foreign partner institution.

Some of the agreements also include provisions by which, under certain conditions, students on exchange may be granted tuition waivers by receiving institutions. 

In formal terms, the agreements concluded by the HRK are „framework agreements“, i.e. they are open to individual accession by member institutions of both the HRK and its partner organization. On the German side, this procedure - by relating  provisions pertaining to the recognition of academic credentials with respective provisions in examination orders - enhances the validity and effectivity of the agreements.

(1.2) Existing Agreements, Texts

The following survey lists existing agreements as well as agreements in preparation (as of 04/04).

Some agreements have recently been or will be revised in the near future in the light of current changes in higher education systems so as to conform requirements of international compatibility. This applies in particular to the introduction (1998 ff.) of first/second level study programs and degrees in Germany.

[Note: Texts of the agreements can be acessed by the links in column "Country"; texts in .pdf-format]

The Federal Republic of Germany has concluded of bilateral “Agreements on Equivalences in the Field of Higher Education” with a nu,mber of foreign countries.

(2.1) Competences

While these agreements are formally concluded, as bilateral governmental agreements under international law, by the Federal Government (Foreign Office), the domestic structure of formal competences in higher education implies the participation of the federal states, represented by the Kultusministerkonferenz/KMK (Standing Conference of Ministers of Education), and the Hochschulrektorenkonferenz/HRK (German Rectors' Conference) in their preparation, approval and eventual implementation-

(2.2) Provisions

The provisions of these agreements pertain to the recognition of periods of study, academic credentials, examinations, and degrees for the study of foreigners at German higher education institutions and the study of German students at institutions in the partner country as well as to the public use of foreign academic degrees and titles. Some of the agreements also include provisions for the recognition of further (higher) academic qualifications required for academic teaching.

The provisions of these agreements have a high degree of validity as they are integrated into examination orders of higher education institutions as standards to be observed in decisions involving the assessment and recognition of foreign qualifications. The same applies to decisions by governmental authorities with respect to the recognition of foreign degrees and titles.

The format and language of the agreements slightly varies as a consequence of their stepwise evolution since the conclusion of the first agreements at the beginning of the 80s.

The  text (in German) Staatliche Äquivalenzabkommen: Regelungen und Anwendungshinweise provides a systematic  description of the  important provisions to assist in their interpretation and application.

(2.3) Existing  Agreements, Texts

The following survey lists existing agreements as well as agreements in preparation (as of 04/04).

Some agreements have recently been or will be revised in the near future in the light of current changes in higher education systems so as to conform requirements of international compatibility. This applies in particular to the introduction (1998 ff.) of  first/second level study programs and degrees in Germany.

Contact:
German Rectors' Conference, International Department/C5, E-Mail: juette@hrk.de

HRK/C5 - 03.07