University of Hamburg - to research, to teach, to educate and form, to homepage

Photo: UHH/Padua

Going abroad

Accreditation of coursework completed abroad

Legal framework (excerpt from a circular issued by the Section for Quality Assurance and Legal Affairs in the Department of Studies and Teaching)

The European Union's Lisbon Recognition Convention, adopted by German Federal Law in 2007, requires universities to recognize academic achievements from foreign institutions. Such recognition can be denied only if the university can prove that the achievements under consideration are not equivalent.

A fundamental principle of the Lisbon Recognition Convention is that, as a rule, a university qualification must be recognized. The office responsible for recognizing achievements has the burden of proof in cases where an application for recognition does not fulfill criteria due to substantial differences. At the University of Hamburg, this would be the examination committee for the respective program. This principle is set forth in §40 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act (HmbHG). In accordance with §40 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act and the Lisbon Recognition Convention, skills acquired both within and outside of higher education institutions must be recognized.

More information for students and faculties

These guidelines were created for universities and intended to illuminate the basic principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention as well as provide recommendations for establishing binding and transparent recognition procedures. They contain information about key elements of the Lisbon Convention (especially with regard to burden of proof and subtantial differences), provide guidance about legally implementing procedures in Germany, and offer tips and recommendations for setting up recognition and quality assurance procedures.