Akademische Grade, Titel und Bezeichnungen von ausländischen Hochschulen führen

Since 2004, foreign degrees and titles may be used in Hesse without a permit in accordance with the Higher Education Act. The Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts provides information regarding the use of foreign academic degrees and titles.

You have obtained an academic degree abroad that you would like to hold in Germany (e.g. licencjat, inzener, kandidat-nauk)? For the use of this degree applies in Hesse in principle:

1. A foreign university degree which has been awarded on the basis of a university degree recognised under the law of the country of origin after a course of study duly completed by examination and which is also a university degree according to European understanding of law may be used in the form in which it was awarded, stating the awarding university. In the case of foreign fonts, the conferred form can be translated into the Latin script (transliterated) and the abbreviation permitted or commonly used in the country of origin can be used and a literal translation in brackets can be added. In the case of degrees from the European Union and Switzerland, the reference to the awarding higher education institution may be omitted.
2. A foreign honorary degree awarded by a higher education institution or other body entitled to award it under the law of the country of origin may be used in the form conferred in accordance with the legislation applicable to the award, stating the awarding body. Paragraph 1 sentence 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis. Honorary degrees are excluded from leadership if the foreign institution does not have the right to award the corresponding degree in accordance with paragraph 1.
3. The provisions in paragraphs 1 and 2 apply mutatis mutandis to university titles and university activity titles (titles).
4. Insofar as agreements and agreements between the Federal Republic of Germany and other States on equivalences in higher education and agreements between the Länder of the Federal Republic of Germany favour the persons concerned over paragraphs 1 to 3, these provisions shall take precedence.
5. Grades and titles deviating from paragraphs 1 to 3 are prohibited.
6. Degrees, titles or job titles acquired through purchase may not be used.
7. Anyone who uses a degree, a title or a job title must, at the request of a regulatory authority, prove the entitlement to do so in a document.

Tip:

Further information can be found on the website of the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts under "Management of academic degrees and titles".

Equivalence agreements and resolutions of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs can be found in the "anabin" portal of the Central Office for Foreign Education.

• Copy of the foreign award certificate
• If applicable, copy of the translation of the document
• If applicable, copy of identity card or passport
• If applicable, appropriate proof in the event of a name change (e.g. copy of the marriage certificate, declaration of name change)
• Transliteration of the certificate, if applicable

• Degree from a recognised university abroad
• Place of residence in Hesse

There are no fees.

No formal authorisation shall be granted.

Written information about the use of the degree and the relevant legal bases can be helpful, e.g. for submission to

• registration and registry offices,
• Professional chambers and
• Professional associations.

Then you can ask the Hessian Ministry of Science for information informally, presenting the necessary documents.

usually about two to three weeks

There are no deadlines to be observed.

Information on the use of foreign degrees and titles on the website of the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts):

• Use of foreign academic degrees and titles
• possible without permission under the conditions specified in the State Higher Education Act
• In principle, guided tour in the form awarded, stating the awarding university
• In certain cases, without specifying the awarding higher education institution
• Taking into account the equivalence agreements and the decisions of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
• Basic exclusion of a conversion or transfer from a foreign degree to a domestic degree

To the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts

• Forms: none
• Online procedure possible: yes
• Written form required: no