Use academic degrees, titles and designations from foreign universities

Since 2004, foreign degrees and titles may be used without authorization in Hesse in accordance with the Higher Education Act. The HMWK provides information on the use of foreign academic degrees and titles.

Have you obtained an academic degree abroad that you would like to use in Germany (e.g. licencjat, inzener, kandidat-nauk)? The following applies to the use of this degree in Hessen:

1. A foreign university degree which has been awarded on the basis of a university degree recognized under the law of the country of origin after a course of study duly completed by examination and which is also a university degree under European law may be used in the form in which it was awarded, stating the awarding university. In the case of foreign scripts, the awarded form can be transferred (transliterated) into the Latin script and the abbreviation approved or generally used in the country of origin can be used and a literal translation added in brackets. In the case of degrees from the European Union and Switzerland, the reference to the awarding university may be omitted.
2. A foreign honorary degree conferred by a university or other body authorized to confer the degree under the law of the country of origin may, in accordance with the legal provisions applicable to the conferral, be listed in the form in which it was conferred, stating the conferring body. Para. 1 sentence 2 applies accordingly. Honorary degrees are excluded from use if the foreign institution has no right to award the corresponding degree in accordance with para. 1.
3. The provisions in subsections 1 and 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis to university titles and university activity designations (titles).
4. Insofar as agreements and conventions between the Federal Republic of Germany and other countries on equivalencies in the field of higher education and agreements between the federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany favor the parties concerned in relation to subsections 1 to 3, these regulations shall take precedence.
5. The use of degrees and titles that deviate from paragraphs 1 to 3 is prohibited.
6. Degrees, titles or job titles acquired by purchase may not be used.
7. Anyone using a degree, title or job title must provide documentary evidence of their authorization to do so at the request of a regulatory authority.

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

To the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture

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

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

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

Formal approval is not granted.

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

• Residents' registration and registry offices,
• professional chambers and
• professional associations.

Information can then be requested informally from the Hessian Ministry of Science by submitting the necessary documents.

There are no deadlines to be observed.

normally approx. two to three weeks

There are no fees.

Information on the use of foreign degrees and titles on the website of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture: