Anerkennung von DDR-Schul- und Studienabschlüssen beantragen

If you are a graduate of a civilian university, technical or engineering college, an institute of the former GDR or a military technical college you can informally apply for an equivalence assessment of your educational qualifications here.

Graduates of civilian universities, technical colleges, engineering schools or an institute of the former GDR can have the equivalence of their educational qualifications recognized. This applies to:

1. University degrees from the former GDR:
   If you have a civilian university degree with a diploma from the GDR, a notice certifying the equivalence of the degree can be issued following an equivalence assessment.
   
2. Engineering and technical college degrees from the former GDR:
   If you are a graduate of an engineering school degree, a postgraduate diploma can be awarded. In order to be awarded a diploma degree with the suffix "FH" (universities of applied sciences), you must provide evidence of at least three years of relevant professional experience after completing your studies.
   
3. Social pedagogical technical school degrees in the educator sector of the former GDR:
   If you have a social pedagogical college degree from the GDR, the equivalence can be checked. After examination, a decision will be issued that leads to partial recognition of the qualification in the respective field of activity of educators.
   
   Note: If you want to obtain a full qualification as a state-recognized educator, you will need partial recognition and an adaptation qualification at one of the adult education centres in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The extra-occupational adaptation qualification usually lasts six months and includes a four-week internship. You complete the adaptation qualification with a colloquium.
   
4. University entrance qualifications from the former GDR:
   You have acquired previous educational qualifications in the former GDR. These were equivalent to a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification. You can prove that you have a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification to the same extent with a certificate of prior education acquired in the GDR. If you would like to have your higher education entrance qualification recognized, please submit an application. This will be processed on a case-by-case basis.
   
5. Teacher qualifications from the former GDR:
   If you have acquired teaching qualifications under the law of the former GDR, these are considered proof of teaching qualifications to the same extent. This applies to the following qualifications:
   • Teacher of lower grades, obtained at an institute for teacher training and
   • Diploma teacher, obtained at a university or teacher training college
     
6. Engineering teachers from the former GDR:
   You have a degree from an institute for the training and further education of engineering teachers from the former GDR. This entitles you to work in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a teacher of technical practice at public vocational schools.
   
   You have the right to use the professional title "engineering teacher".
   
7. Military technical school degrees from the former GDR:
   Depending on the specific training profile, you can have your degree obtained at a military technical school in the former GDR recognized as a degree in state-certified business administration or as a state-certified technician by completing additional training.
   
   The right to use the original professional titles remains unaffected even without additional training.

• informal application,
• Original or officially certified copy of the diploma,
• Proof of name change for the degree certificate (if applicable)

Additional special documents for:

1. University degrees from the former GDR:
   • officially certified copy of the certificate
     
2. Engineering and technical college degrees from the former GDR:
   • officially certified copy of the certificate
   • a personally signed description of your professional career after completing your studies, stating the type and duration of your studies
   • officially certified proof of at least three years of relevant professional activity after graduation, this can be, for example, the social security card of the former GDR, employment contracts or a certificate from the employer stating the content of the work.
     
3. Social pedagogical technical college degrees in the educator sector of the former GDR:
   • especially nursery teachers: officially certified copy of the state recognition of the certificate
   • if available: Proof of an adaptation qualification at an adult education center in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (for recognition of the full qualification).
     
4. University entrance qualifications from the former GDR:
   • No additional documents required for the above
     
5. Teaching qualifications from the former GDR:
   • no additional documents required for the above
     
6. Engineering pedagogues:
   • No additional documents required for the above
     
7. Military technical college degrees from the former GDR:
   • Original or officially certified copy of the proof of additional training in accordance with Annex XI of the resolution of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 15.04.1994 in the version of 09.03.2001 on the determination of the equivalence of educational qualifications (military technical school qualifications)

You have:

• a civilian degree from a university in the former GDR or
• a civilian degree from a technical college, engineering school or institute in the former GDR or
• a socio-educational qualification in the field of education in the former GDR or
• a university entrance qualification from the former GDR or
• a teaching qualification from the former GDR or
• a degree from an institute for the training and further education of engineering educators in the former GDR or
• a degree from a military technical school in the former GDR.

The following costs are incurred for:

1. University degrees from the former GDR:
   • Determination of the equivalence of university degrees: EUR 30.00
     
2. Engineering and technical college degrees from the former GDR:
   • Post-graduation of technical and engineering degrees: EUR 90.00
     
3. Social pedagogical technical school degrees in the educator sector of the former GDR:
   • Determination of the equivalence of social pedagogical educator degrees: EUR 20.00
     
4. University entrance qualifications of the former GDR:
   • Determination of the equivalence of university entrance qualifications: EUR 20.00
     
5. Teacher qualifications of the former GDR:
   • Determination of the equivalence of teaching qualifications: none
     
6. Degrees in engineering pedagogy from the former GDR:
   • Determination of the equivalence of engineering pedagogues: EUR 20.00
     
7. Military technical college degrees of the former GDR:
   • Determination of the equivalence of military technical school degrees: EUR 20.00

Submit an informal application with the necessary supporting documents. To do this, you must submit all the required documents and papers to the relevant office in the original or as an officially certified copy.
The application will be checked for completeness and if anything is missing, you will be asked to submit the missing documents. After the final review of the application, a notification and, in some cases, a diploma certificate will be issued and sent to you. If necessary, a fee notification with all important payment information will be sent to you afterwards.

Your responsible office is for:

1. University degrees from the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs M-V, Department 300
     
2. Engineering and technical college degrees from the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs M-V, Department 300
     
3. Social pedagogical technical school degrees in the educator sector of the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 221
     
4. University entrance qualifications of the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 230
     
5. Teacher qualifications from the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 230
     
6. Degrees in engineering pedagogy from the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 230
     
7. Military technical college degrees of the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 230

The average processing time is 1-4 weeks.

• none

Depending on the place of residence, legal action can be taken against these decisions at the Administrative Court in Schwerin or the Administrative Court in Greifswald within one month of notification.

The equivalence of educational qualifications from the former GDR can be determined as follows:

Responsibility at the Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs M-V - Department 300:

• University graduates from the former GDR:
  If you have a civilian university degree with a diploma from the GDR, a notification can be issued after an equivalence check certifying the equivalence of the degree.
  
• Engineering and technical college graduates from the former GDR:
  If you are a graduate of civilian technical and engineering school degrees, a postgraduate diploma can be awarded. In order to be awarded a diploma degree with the suffix "FH" (universities of applied sciences), you must provide evidence of at least three years of relevant professional experience after completing your studies.

Responsible at the Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V - Department 221:

• Social pedagogical technical school and institute graduates from the former GDR:
  If you have a social pedagogical technical school degree from the GDR, a notification can be issued after an equivalence check, which leads to partial recognition of the degree in the respective field of activity of educators.
  Note: If you wish to obtain a full qualification as a state-recognized educator, you will need partial recognition and an adaptation qualification at one of the adult education centres in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The extra-occupational adaptation qualification usually lasts six months and includes a four-week internship. You complete the adaptation qualification with a colloquium.

Responsible at the Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V - Department 230:

• University entrance qualifications:
  You have acquired previous educational qualifications in the former GDR. These were equivalent to a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification. You can prove that you have a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification to the same extent with a certificate of prior education acquired in the GDR. If you would like to have your higher education entrance qualification recognized, please submit an application. This will be processed on a case-by-case basis.
  
• Teacher qualifications:
  If you have acquired teaching qualifications under the law of the former GDR, these are considered to be proof of teaching qualifications to the same extent. This applies to the following qualifications
  • Teacher of lower grades, obtained at an institute for teacher training and
  • Diploma teacher, obtained at a university or teacher training college.
    
• Engineering educators:
  You have a degree from an institute for the training and further education of engineering teachers from the former GDR. This entitles you to work in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a teacher of engineering practice at public vocational schools.
  
  You have the right to use the professional title "engineering pedagogue".
  
• Military technical school qualifications:
  Depending on the specific training profile, you can have your qualification obtained at a military technical school in the former GDR recognized as a state-certified business economist or state-certified technician through additional training in accordance with Annex XI of the resolution of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 15.04.1994 in the version of 09.03.2001 on the determination of the equivalence of educational qualifications (military technical school qualifications).
  
  The right to use the original professional title remains unaffected even without additional training.

Your responsible office is at:

1. University degrees from the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs M-V, Department 300
     
2. Engineering and technical college degrees from the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs M-V, Department 300
     
3. Social pedagogical technical school degrees in the educator sector of the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 221
     
4. University entrance qualifications of the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 230
     
5. Teacher qualifications from the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 230
     
6. Degrees in engineering pedagogy from the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 230
     
7. Military technical college degrees of the former GDR:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Day Care M-V, Department 230

• Forms/online services available: No
• Written form required: No
• Informal application possible: Yes
• Personal appearance necessary: No