Level 1: the university is state-recognised
A state-recognised university may award academic degrees such as bachelor's and master's. This recognition is granted by the state: in Germany by the federal states, in Austria by the federal government, in Switzerland by the responsible authorities. Whether a university is public or under a private operator with state recognition makes no difference to the validity of the degree: both award the same legally protected title.
Level 2: the programme is accredited
Accreditation is an independent quality assessment of an individual programme or of the whole university. It examines content, support, examinations and resources. In Germany the Accreditation Council (Akkreditierungsrat) sits at the top, with agencies such as FIBAA or ZEvA carrying out the procedures. In Austria the assessment is done by AQ Austria, in Switzerland by the AAQ. An accredited programme carries a visible seal.
How these procedures work in detail is set out in the guide to accreditation. In the comparison you will find the accreditation status for each university, with a source.
Level 3: recognition abroad
If you want to work in Austria or Switzerland with a German qualification, or the other way round, cross-border recognition applies. It runs through the Bologna Process and the Lisbon Recognition Convention and is assessed case by case by the responsible authorities. For regulated professions, for example in healthcare or law, additional rules apply.
Important, and to be honest about it: no one can give you a blanket guarantee that a qualification is automatically recognised everywhere. It depends on the subject, the destination country and the profession. The guide to recognition across the DACH region covers this in detail.
How to recognise a fully valid qualification
Three checks are enough for an initial assessment:
- Is the university state-recognised? This is stated in the Hochschulkompass or by the national authorities.
- Is the specific programme accredited? The seal and the agency's register provide the answer.
- Does the university award a protected degree such as Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science, and not merely an in-house certificate?