Recognition Finder
How to check if your past achievements are recognized in Germany
When you come to apply for a job or university course in Germany, using a recognition finder tool will almost always be necessary. These essential resources offer up to date information about which qualifications represent equivalents to German titles or degree equivalents, so you'll want to bookmark at least one during the application process.
Anabin is a popular choice, due to its global scope and the huge amount of information. Being run by ZAB, it has an excellent reputation and caters to millions of inquiries every year.
Is my university degree recognized in Germany?
To check whether your degree is recognized, head to Anabin and use the search engine. Select the country where your degree was awarded, then scroll down to find your degree type.
Click on the degree type, and you'll see some extra information (in German). If you see the phrase Direkter Zugang (Direct Access), it signifies that you can proceed to a full application. If you see the word Feststellungsprüfung, extra preparatory qualifications may be needed.
When you have a look around, you'll find most high-level Indian degrees recognized in Germany, for example. However, there may be some variations. For instance, sometimes universities are listed as legitimate, but specific courses at those universities are not covered.
When that happens, don't panic. Just contact ZAB. You may need to supply a notarized copy of your degree certificate, but most of the time, it's just a minor issue caused by gaps in Anabin's records.
Is a PGCE recognized in Germany?
But what about specific vocational qualifications like the PGCE (the UK's Post-Graduate Certificate in Education)? Here the situation isn't quite as promising. Foreigners can teach in German schools without any problems, but qualifications from other countries generally aren't applicable, so fresh training will be needed.
Non-traditional universities may also present some issues for applicants, particularly those asking is an open university (OU) degree recognized in Germany? But there's no cause for alarm here. Degrees from the OU should have the same standing as those from ordinary schools.