Who is actually authorised to award a doctoral degree?
This question takes precedence over all others. If it is asked too late, years and money will ultimately have been spent on a degree that nobody recognises.
The right to award doctoral degrees lies with universities and higher education institutions of equivalent status. Universities of applied sciences traditionally do not have this right, although in some federal states they now do, subject to certain conditions. Private higher education institutions may hold this right if it has been granted to them. This can be verified via the state’s higher education legislation and, in the case of foreign institutions, via anabin.
How the right to award doctorates is established
The right to award doctoral degrees is granted by the state. For state universities, it is derived from the state’s higher education act; for private higher education institutions, it stems from state recognition and an explicit grant of the right, which is linked to an assessment procedure.
Accreditation does not replace this. It assesses degree programmes or quality management, but says nothing about whether an institution is authorised to award doctoral degrees. It is precisely this confusion that unscrupulous providers exploit.
How to check for yourself
Three steps, a few minutes, and you’ll know more than you would from any advertising claim.
How to spot dubious providers
Anyone who only reveals the name of the awarding institution after the contract has been signed has something to hide. Reputable providers mention it during the initial consultation.
Confusingly similar names are a common tactic. A search on anabin will clear things up in two minutes.
A degree is awarded following a process. Anyone who simply claims to award it cannot actually do so.
Accreditation does not confer the right to award doctorates. The wording is intended precisely to obscure this fact.
Our criteria
We work exclusively with universities listed in anabin with H+ status, and we will mention them during the initial consultation. You can look up the entry yourself before making a decision.
We strongly recommend that you carry out this check for every provider you speak to. It takes two minutes and is worth more than any assurance of trust.
Frequently asked questions.
Which higher education institutions are authorised to award doctorates?+
Universities and equivalent higher education institutions with the right to award doctorates; in some federal states, universities of applied sciences may also do so subject to certain conditions.
Do private higher education institutions have the right to award doctorates?+
Some do, if the right has been granted to them by the state. Check this on a case-by-case basis; there is no blanket rule.
How can I spot a degree mill?+
It does not name the awarding institution, promises to award the degree itself, or is listed in anabin with the status ‘H’ or not at all.
Is there an official list?+
For foreign universities, anabin is the authoritative source. For German universities, the right to award doctorates is determined by state law.
Does accreditation count as the right to award doctorates?+
No. Accreditation assesses degree programmes or quality assurance; it does not confer the right to award doctorates.
What about foreign universities?+
The same assessment applies: status in anabin, authorisation to award degrees in the country of origin, standard procedure.
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