Recognition of diplomas of higher education

General information

Recognition of higher education diplomas/degrees falls within the remit of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Register of certificates

The academic recognition of a higher education diploma/degree obtained abroad takes the form of listing in the "higher education" section of the register of certificates (registre des titres):

• normal procedure for academic recognition of higher education diplomas/degrees obtained abroad without any entitlement to practise being conferred,
• required to be able to use publicly a title conferred by higher education

Recognition of professional qualifications

Listing in the register of certificates should not be confused with the recognition of a higher education diploma/degree with a view to gaining access to one of the regulated professions (health professions, psychotherapy and certain liberal professions), i.e. the issue of a licence to practise.

It is now possible to submit your application online using MyGuichet.lu concerning:

• an entry into the register of certificates; and/or
• the professional recognition of qualifications obtained abroad.

Approval

Approval is still required for access to the regulated profession of lawyer and for admission to additional courses in Luxembourg law (Cours complémentaires en droit luxembourgeois - CCDL).

Listing in the register of certificates

The procedure for being listed in the register of certificates applies to higher education diplomas/degrees issued in a country other than Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands that are not covered by automatic mutual recognition.

Listing in the "higher education" section of the register of certificates:

• is the normal procedure for academic recognition of higher education diplomas/degrees obtained abroad;
• authorises the holder to use the academic title listed.

A higher education diploma is listed in the "higher education" section of the register of certificates if:

• it constitutes the final qualification in a course of higher education studies;
• it refers to a full cycle of studies;
• it was awarded in accordance with the laws and regulations on higher education in the State where the qualification was awarded.

The listing of a higher education diploma/degree in the register of certificates implies its classification in the Luxembourg Qualifications Framework (Cadre luxembourgeois des qualifications - CLQ), which is aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (Cadre européen des certifications - CEC).

National higher education diplomas/degrees are automatically listed in the register of certificates, without any formalities being required.

The entry into force of the Law of 28 October 2016 on the recognition of professional qualifications results in the automatic listing of diplomas/degrees issued by a State with which the Grand Duchy has concluded an agreement.

Thus, further to Benelux decisions adopted on 18 May 2015 and 25 January 2018:

• associate degrees (brevet d'enseignement supérieur, diploma van gegradueerde, graad van gegradueerde, getuigschrift associate degree);
• bachelor's degrees;
• master's degrees; and
• doctorates awarded after a thesis has been upheld in public;

awarded by higher education institutions recognised in Belgium and the Netherlands on successful completion of higher education courses recognised in Belgium and the Netherlands are automatically listed in the register of certificates. Without any administrative procedure being required on their part, the holders of such qualifications are entitled to use the title of the qualification indicated on the corresponding diploma, and to automatic recognition of the level of education as defined by the competent Belgian or Dutch authority.

The following may not be listed in the register of certificates:

• intermediate diplomas/degrees ("Zwischenprüfung", "Vordiplom", etc.),
• diplomas/degrees not recognised as an academic title by the government authorities of the State in which the diploma/degree was awarded.

Applications for listing in the register of certificates should be sent to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Application for the recognition of professional qualifications

The application for listing in the "higher education" section of the register of certificates (academic recognition) should not be confused with the recognition of professional qualifications.

Access to a regulated profession is achieved in two stages:

• The recognition of diplomas/degrees with a view to gaining access to one of the regulated professions for which higher education is required falls within the remit of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (Department for Recognition of Professional Qualifications). These professions include certain health professions, the profession of psychotherapist, and certain liberal professions;
• Once recognition has been obtained, a licence to practise may be requested from the corresponding ministries: the Ministry of Health (health professions, profession of psychotherapist) or the Ministry of the Economy (liberal professions).

More information about the procedures to be followed can be found on the website of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Application for approval (legal diplomas/degrees)

Approval is still required for access to the regulated profession of lawyer and for admission to additional courses in Luxembourg law (Cours complémentaires en droit luxembourgeois - CCDL).

The application for approval in respect of law degrees should be sent to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

If you are entitled to practise as a lawyer in another member State of the European Union, you may apply directly to the Ministry of Justice for authorisation to practise in the Grand Duchy.

Documents must be in one of the three official languages of the Grand Duchy (French, German and Luxembourgish) or in English. If they are in another language, a translation into one of these languages by a sworn translator must be attached.