logo_enForeign higher education certificates which do not qualify their holders for a regulated profession are not governed by the Federal Government's Recognition Act. Graduates from such programmes can apply for employment on the German labour market directly. However, to improve their career prospects in Germany, they may have their final qualifications assessed by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
The assessment of the certificates is based on the Lisbon Convention. The Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany have entrusted the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with this task. The ZAB assesses certificates issued by any country in the world on completion of a higher education programme.
The aim of certificate assessment is to facilitate access to the German labour market. The official assessment document describes the foreign higher education qualifications and the possibilities of using them for professional and academic purposes. The certificate assessment includes a comparison with German certificates: The document states the German final qualifications which compare with the foreign certificate and provides information about the options for continuing studies and the procedure for professional recognition. The procedure of certificate assessment is not equivalent to professional recognition.
A fee of € 200 is charged for issuing the assessment document.
TIPP
On the website of the Informations- und Beratungsstelle Anerkennung Sachsen (IBAS) you will find an information sheet on the evaluation of academic degrees (PDF, 217 KB) at the Central Office for Foreign Education.
ZAB
If you have any questions concerning the EU's Recognition Directive or the Lisbon Convention, please contact the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). › Access to ZAB. More...