anabin: How to check a university in minutes.
When it comes to whether a degree is worth anything, you don’t need an opinion or to rely on trust. There is a register; it’s public, and checking it takes just a few minutes.
anabin is the Kultusministerkonferenz database of foreign educational qualifications, maintained by the Central Office for Foreign Education. Higher education institutions are classified as follows: H+ means recognised in Germany, H+/- means recognised only subject to additional criteria, and H- means not recognised. If an institution is not listed, a certificate assessment will clarify the individual case.
What the statuses mean
The classification refers to the institution. It indicates whether the institution is recognised as a higher education institution in its country of origin and whether qualifications from there can form the basis for the award of a degree in Germany.
How to proceed
First, search for the institution, not the qualification. Pay attention to the exact name and the country: institutions with similar-sounding names are a common tactic used by dubious providers to suggest an affiliation with well-known universities. Then check whether the specific type of qualification is listed.
The scope of the assessment is important: the status evaluates the higher education institution, not your individual degree. Whether this was obtained through an academic process is a separate matter. An honorary doctorate remains an honorary doctorate, even if it comes from an H+ university.
If the entry is missing or unclear
Then apply for a qualification assessment from the Central Office for Foreign Education. This describes the foreign qualification and its professional and academic applications in Germany, and is the standard form of evidence accepted by public authorities and employers.
Allow for processing time and ensure you have all the necessary documents ready: the degree certificate, transcript of marks, evidence of the award process, and certified translations where required.
Why Ascendius is the benchmark
All the universities we work with are listed in anabin with the status H+. This is not self-reported information, but a register entry that you can check for yourself before deciding on a course of action.
We strongly recommend that you do this for every provider you speak to. Anyone who does not mention the name of the awarding institution has already answered the question.
Frequently asked questions.
What is anabin?+
The Kultusministerkonferenz database for the assessment of foreign educational qualifications, operated by the Central Office for Foreign Education.
What does the status ‘H+’ mean?+
The higher education institution is recognised as such in Germany. This is the basis for a degree obtained there to be recognised.
What should I do if my higher education institution is not listed?+
In that case, apply to the ZAB for a qualification assessment. This will describe the qualification and its potential uses.
Does ‘H+’ also apply to honorary doctorates?+
No. The status assesses the higher education institution, not the type of degree. An honorary doctorate remains subject to the designation ‘h.c.’.
Is there a charge for the enquiry?+
The database is freely accessible. Costs are incurred only for a formal qualification assessment.
Does anabin also say anything about quality?+
No. It concerns the recognition of the institution, not rankings or academic assessment.
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