Step-by-step guide to using the anabin database. Check if your school certificate qualifies for direct university admission or requires a Studienkolleg in Germany.
anabin is the official German database that determines whether your school-leaving certificate or university degree qualifies you for higher education in Germany. Maintained by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle fuer auslaendisches Bildungswesen, ZAB) under the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (KMK), anabin is the single authoritative source that German universities, uni-assist, embassies, and immigration authorities use to evaluate your foreign qualifications. Whether you can enter a German university directly, need to attend a Studienkolleg first, or must obtain additional recognition — the answer starts with anabin.
This guide walks you through every step of using the anabin database: how to find your country and qualification, how to interpret the recognition levels, what each result means for your academic path, and what to do if the outcome is not what you hoped for.
anabin stands for Anerkennung und Bewertung auslaendischer Bildungsnachweise — Recognition and Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials. It has been the reference database for evaluating foreign qualifications in Germany since 1997.
Here is why anabin matters to you as an international student:
The database is freely accessible at anabin.kmk.org — no registration required. However, the entire interface is in German, which is one of the main challenges for international students.
anabin serves two distinct purposes, and it is essential to understand which one applies to your situation:
This is the section you need if you are applying for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany. It evaluates whether your secondary school diploma (high school graduation certificate) qualifies you for university access in Germany.
This section tells you:
This section evaluates universities and their degrees. You need it if you:
Important: These are two separate searches. Having an H+ university does not automatically mean your school-leaving certificate qualifies for direct Bachelor’s admission. For undergraduate applicants, always start with the school-leaving certificate search.
Follow these steps to find out whether your secondary school qualification is recognized for university access in Germany.
Open your browser and navigate to anabin.kmk.org. The homepage displays the main navigation menu on the left side.
In the left-hand navigation menu, click on Schulabschluesse mit Hochschulzugang (School-leaving certificates with higher education access). This opens the search interface for secondary school qualifications.
You will see a submenu. Click on Suchen to open the search form. Alternatively, you may see the option Suchen nach Schulabschluessen (Search for school-leaving certificates).
From the dropdown menu labeled Land (Country), select the country where you completed your secondary education. The countries are listed by their German names, so here are some common ones:
| Your Country | German Name in anabin |
|---|---|
| China | China |
| India | Indien |
| Turkey | Tuerkei |
| Iran | Iran |
| Vietnam | Vietnam |
| Nigeria | Nigeria |
| Brazil | Brasilien |
| Russia | Russland |
| South Korea | Korea (Rep.) |
| Egypt | Aegypten |
| Pakistan | Pakistan |
| Indonesia | Indonesien |
| Morocco | Marokko |
| Colombia | Kolumbien |
After selecting your country, anabin displays all school-leaving certificates from that country that have been evaluated. Click on the certificate that matches yours to see the detailed evaluation.
The evaluation page is the most important part. It shows you the access type (Zugangsart) for your qualification. The possible outcomes are explained in detail in the next section.
When you look up your school-leaving certificate in anabin, the evaluation will assign one of the following access types:
What it means: Your school-leaving certificate is considered equivalent to the German Abitur (or a subject-restricted version of it). You can apply directly to German universities for a Bachelor’s program without attending a Studienkolleg.
What you still need:
Example countries where direct access is common: Students from EU/EEA countries, students with an International Baccalaureate (IB), and students from countries with bilateral education agreements often receive direct access.
What it means: Your school-leaving certificate is partially recognized, but it does not fully meet the German standard. You must first attend a one-year Studienkolleg preparatory program and pass the Feststellungspruefung (assessment examination) before you can enroll at a German university.
What you need to do:
This is the most common outcome for students from many Asian, African, and Latin American countries.
What it means: Your certificate qualifies for direct access, but only if certain additional conditions are met. Common conditions include:
Read the conditions listed on the anabin page carefully. If you do not meet them, you may fall into the Studienkolleg category instead.
What it means: Your school-leaving certificate is not recognized for university access in Germany. This can happen if your qualification is from a vocational track, an unaccredited institution, or a program that does not meet German equivalency standards.
What you can do: In some cases, completing additional education in your home country (such as a year of university study) may change your classification. Contact the ZAB or a German university’s international office for individual advice.
If you already hold a university degree and want to pursue a Master’s program in Germany — or if you need to verify that your university is recognized — follow these steps.
On the anabin homepage, click Institutionen in the left navigation menu, then click Suchen (Search).
You can search by:
Tip: University names in anabin are often in the local language or in a standardized Latin transliteration. If you cannot find your university by its English name, try the name in the original language or common abbreviations.
Once you find your university, the status field shows one of three categories:
What it means: Your university is a recognized institution of higher education. Degrees from this institution are generally considered valid in Germany.
Next step: Check whether your specific degree is also listed and how it is classified (see degree equivalence below).
What it means: Your university has a mixed or conditional recognition status. Some programs or degrees may be recognized, while others may not. Each case is evaluated individually.
What you need to do:
What it means: Your institution is not recognized as a higher education institution in the German system. Degrees from H- institutions are generally not accepted for further study or professional purposes in Germany.
What you can do:
Beyond the institution status, anabin also evaluates the degree itself. When your specific degree is listed, it will receive one of these equivalence ratings:
| Rating | German Term | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Equivalent | Gleichwertig | Your degree is fully equivalent to a comparable German degree with no formal differences |
| Corresponding | Entspricht | Your degree corresponds to a German degree with no significant differences |
| Conditionally Comparable | Bedingt vergleichbar | Your degree has formal differences from its German counterpart; additional evaluation may be needed |
The ideal outcome is gleichwertig or entspricht from an H+ institution. This combination means your degree is fully recognized.
Here is what students from the most common countries of origin can typically expect when they check anabin. Note that individual results depend on your specific certificate, scores, and academic history — always verify your own situation in the database.
School-leaving certificate (Gaokao): Since the KMK updated its recognition of the Chinese Gaokao in 2020, Chinese students with a Gaokao score of at least 70% of the provincial maximum may qualify for direct subject-restricted admission (fachgebundene Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). Students below this threshold typically need a Studienkolleg. An APS certificate from the Akademische Pruefstelle in Beijing is mandatory in all cases.
Universities: Most major Chinese universities (especially “211 Project” and “985 Project” institutions) are listed as H+ in anabin. However, the recognition depends on your specific degree program.
School-leaving certificate (Class XII): The Indian Class XII certificate alone generally does not grant direct university access in Germany. Updated evaluation criteria taking effect from Winter Semester 2026/27 require a minimum overall score of 70% in Class XII. Students typically need either one year of university study at a recognized Indian institution, a qualifying score in competitive exams (JEE Advanced, NEET), or must attend a Studienkolleg.
Universities: Many well-known Indian universities are listed as H+ in anabin, including IITs, NITs, and central universities. However, not all Indian institutions are listed, and recognition varies.
School-leaving certificate (Lise Diplomasi): The Turkish Lise Diplomasi (high school diploma) has historically required additional conditions for recognition in Germany. Students who have passed the YKS (Yuksekogretim Kurumlari Sinavi, the national university entrance exam) and achieved a qualifying score may be eligible for direct admission or subject-restricted admission. Without the YKS or with a low score, a Studienkolleg is usually required.
Universities: Turkish universities vary in their anabin classification. Major state universities are generally H+ or H+/-, while some private and foundation universities may be H+/-.
School-leaving certificate (Diplom-e Motavasete): The Iranian high school diploma combined with the university entrance exam (Konkur) typically grants conditional access. Depending on the specific certificate and conditions, students may qualify for direct admission (with conditions) or need a Studienkolleg.
Universities: Most major Iranian state universities are classified as H+ in anabin. Some newer private universities may be H+/-.
School-leaving certificate (Bang Tot Nghiep Trung Hoc Pho Thong): Vietnamese secondary school graduates typically need to attend a Studienkolleg before beginning university studies in Germany. Direct access is generally not granted based on the high school diploma alone.
Universities: Major Vietnamese universities such as Hanoi National University and Ho Chi Minh City National University are listed as H+ in anabin.
School-leaving certificate (WAEC/NECO): The Nigerian WAEC (West African Examinations Council) certificate or NECO certificate typically does not grant direct university access in Germany. Students usually need either completed university study in Nigeria or must attend a Studienkolleg.
Universities: Recognition of Nigerian universities in anabin varies significantly. Federal universities are more likely to be H+ than state or private universities.
School-leaving certificate (Certificado de Conclusao do Ensino Medio): Brazilian secondary school graduates generally need to have passed the ENEM (Exame Nacional do Ensino Medio) or a vestibular (university entrance exam) for conditional recognition. A Studienkolleg is commonly required.
Universities: Major Brazilian federal universities are generally H+ in anabin.
If you search anabin and cannot find your school-leaving certificate, university, or degree, do not panic. An absence from the database does not automatically mean your qualification is unrecognized — it may simply mean it has not yet been evaluated.
The ZAB (Zentralstelle fuer auslaendisches Bildungswesen) offers an individual evaluation service called the Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung). This is an official document that classifies your foreign qualification in relation to the German education system.
Key details:
German universities have international offices (Akademisches Auslandsamt or International Office) that can provide guidance on how your specific qualification is evaluated. Some universities may accept qualifications on a case-by-case basis, even if they are not yet in anabin.
If you are applying through uni-assist, they perform their own document evaluation. In some cases, they can process applications even for qualifications that are not fully mapped in anabin.
Understanding how anabin connects to the Studienkolleg requirement is crucial for planning your path to a German university.
This is the most common result for students from countries outside the EU/EEA whose school-leaving certificates do not fully meet the German Abitur standard. Here is what happens next:
Choose a Studienkolleg. Research which Studienkollegs are available in your preferred state and for your intended field of study. Each Studienkolleg offers specific course tracks (T-Kurs for STEM, M-Kurs for medicine, W-Kurs for business, G-Kurs for humanities, S-Kurs for languages).
Apply. Submit your application either directly to the Studienkolleg or through the associated university. Many use the uni-assist portal. Deadlines are typically July 15 for the winter semester and January 15 for the summer semester, but some Studienkollegs have earlier deadlines.
Pass the entrance exam. The Studienkolleg entrance exam (Aufnahmepruefung) tests your German language skills and, depending on the course track, your mathematics knowledge.
Complete two semesters. The Studienkolleg program runs for one academic year (two semesters) and includes intensive German language instruction along with subject-specific preparation.
Pass the Feststellungspruefung. The final assessment exam qualifies you for university admission throughout Germany.
If your school-leaving certificate grants conditional direct access, you still need to meet the stated conditions. If you fail to meet them — for example, if your grade is below the required threshold — you may still need a Studienkolleg. Check the specific requirements listed in anabin carefully and consult with the university’s international office.
If your qualification does not grant any access, the standard pathway is to first complete further education in your home country (such as one or more years of university study) and then recheck your eligibility. In rare cases, a university may still consider your application, but this is not guaranteed.
Over years of helping international students navigate the German admissions process, we have seen the same mistakes come up again and again. Here is how to avoid them.
Many students submit their applications to German universities or Studienkollegs without first checking anabin. This can lead to rejected applications and wasted application fees. Always check anabin before you begin the application process.
Searching for your university under “Institutionen” and finding an H+ result does not mean your school-leaving certificate qualifies for direct Bachelor’s admission. For undergraduate applicants, you must check the “Schulabschluesse mit Hochschulzugang” section. These are two different evaluations.
anabin is updated regularly. Recognition rules change — the KMK’s 2020 update for Chinese Gaokao holders and the upcoming 2026 update for Indian Class XII certificates are prime examples. Always check the current database directly rather than relying on screenshots, forum posts, or secondhand information.
The anabin database is entirely in German. University names, country names, and degree titles are stored in their original language or in German. If you search for “Istanbul Technical University” you may not find it — try “Istanbul Teknik Universitesi” instead. For non-Latin scripts (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean), anabin uses Latin transliterations.
Even if your university is rated H+ and your degree appears in anabin, the title on the anabin record must match your actual diploma. If there is a title mismatch — for example, your diploma says “Bachelor of Engineering” but anabin lists “Bachelor of Science in Engineering” — this can cause complications. Verify that the exact degree title matches.
anabin entries often include conditions, footnotes, and additional requirements (Auflagen) that are easy to overlook. These might specify minimum grades, required subjects, national exam scores, or university study prerequisites. Read every line of the evaluation — the details matter.
You will need to present your anabin evaluation as part of your application. Take a screenshot or print the full evaluation page as a PDF. Some applications specifically require the anabin printout. Do not assume that the university will check anabin on your behalf.
Here are some additional tips to make your anabin search smoother and more effective.
While the database is only available in German, you can use your browser’s built-in translation feature to get a rough translation of the interface. Be cautious with translated technical terms — the German originals are what matter for your application.
For Master’s applicants: finding your university with H+ status is only half the story. You must also verify that your specific degree is listed and how it is classified. If the institution is H+ but your degree is not listed, you may need a Statement of Comparability from the ZAB.
Universities can be listed under different names in anabin — the full official name, an abbreviation, or the name in the original language. If your first search returns no results, try alternative names, abbreviations, or the city name.
Save the date of your search along with screenshots. The database is updated periodically, and having a record of when you checked can be helpful if there are discrepancies later.
Many German universities outsource their preliminary document evaluation to uni-assist. Understanding how uni-assist relates to anabin can save you time and confusion.
uni-assist uses anabin data as part of its evaluation process. When you submit your documents to uni-assist, they:
If your qualifications are straightforward according to anabin, the uni-assist process is typically smooth. If your case is unusual or your qualification is not in anabin, expect additional processing time.
uni-assist fees:
anabin is the primary tool, but it is not the only pathway for qualification recognition in Germany.
As mentioned above, the ZAB can issue an individual Statement of Comparability for qualifications not covered by anabin. This is particularly relevant for:
Germany has bilateral education agreements with some countries that may grant special recognition for certain qualifications. Check whether your country has such an agreement.
Some German universities, particularly for Master’s programs, conduct their own evaluations of foreign qualifications independently of anabin. This is more common for research-oriented programs and competitive institutions.
No. The anabin database interface is entirely in German. There is no official English version. You can use browser translation tools to navigate, but the official terms and evaluations are in German.
Not entirely. H+ means your institution is recognized. Your specific degree must also be listed and positively evaluated. Additionally, for school-leaving certificates, the H+/H+/-/H- system does not apply — a different classification (Direkter Zugang, Feststellungspruefung, etc.) is used.
No. It means the university has not yet been evaluated by the ZAB. You can apply for an individual Statement of Comparability (cost: 208 EUR, processing time: up to 3 months) to get an official evaluation.
Yes. German embassies and consulates may request an anabin printout as part of the student visa application process. Having a clear anabin result (or a ZAB Statement of Comparability) can speed up the visa process.
anabin is the database containing evaluations of foreign qualifications. The ZAB (Zentralstelle fuer auslaendisches Bildungswesen) is the organization that maintains this database and provides individual evaluation services. Think of anabin as the self-service tool and the ZAB as the office you contact for individual cases.
It means your case needs individual evaluation. Check whether your specific degree is listed in the detailed record for your institution. If it is listed positively, proceed with your application. If it is not listed, apply for a Statement of Comparability from the ZAB or contact the university’s international office for guidance.
anabin primarily covers academic qualifications for higher education access and degree recognition. For professional recognition (Berufliche Anerkennung) — for example, if you are a trained doctor, engineer, or teacher and want to practice your profession in Germany — the relevant authority depends on your specific profession and the German federal state. The website anerkennung-in-deutschland.de provides guidance on professional recognition.
The database is updated on an ongoing basis by the ZAB. Major policy changes (such as the recognition of the Chinese Gaokao in 2020 or the updated Indian Class XII criteria effective from 2026) are implemented as they are decided by the KMK. For day-to-day additions and corrections, there is no fixed update schedule — it happens continuously.
Before you begin your application to a German university or Studienkolleg, use this checklist:
Understanding anabin is the first and most important step in planning your studies in Germany. Take the time to search the database carefully, read every detail of the evaluation, and plan your next steps accordingly. Whether your path leads directly to a university or through a Studienkolleg first, knowing where you stand gives you the foundation to move forward with confidence.
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