Authority for Science, Research and Equality

Granting of state recognition as a professional academy

Do you want to establish a vocational academy and have it officially recognized by the state? Here you can find out where and how to apply for recognition.

Detailed description

You can apply for state recognition of your educational institution as a vocational academy.


This recognition allows you to conduct examinations, award degrees and issue certificates.


In this case, the training at your vocational academy is considered equivalent to a university education, which entitles graduates to enroll in a master's program at a university.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • The financing of the educational institution is secured in the long term through its own financial resources.
  • The educational institution has sufficient teachers, rooms and equipment and conducts lessons and examinations according to the applicable rules.

Please note that a universally applicable list of requirements is not possible and that further requirements may apply depending on the individual case.

Documents required

  • Self-documentation (goals, concept, implementation, quality management)
  • Basic order
  • Appeals procedure
  • Business plan for the first 5 years of operation including all investment and operating costs
  • Auditor's certificate (The business plan must be correctly and understandably structured and realistically planned)
  • Declaration of Patronage
  • Sample contract for a guarantee, if applicable.
  • Extract from the commercial register
  • Articles of Association
  • List of shareholders
  • Sample Cooperation Agreement
  • List of partner companies
  • Study program-specific documents, for each study program individually:
    • Accreditation certificate
    • Accreditation letter, if applicable, conditions
    • Accreditation report
    • Study and examination regulations
    • Admission regulations
    • Module handbook

We may request further documents from you, such as:

  • Market analysis
  • Company profile
  • Description of premises
  • Sample employment contract

Please note

State recognition can be granted for a limited time and may be subject to conditions.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You arrange a meeting with the relevant authority. In advance, you should send them a brief and informative description of your project. This should briefly outline the technical objectives and the economic parameters.
  • After the interview, you submit an application to the relevant authority and send all required documents.
  • You will receive initial feedback from the responsible authority after a review period of approximately 3 months. You may be required to submit further documents.
  • If the decision is positive, you will receive a notification of recognition.

Processing time

The processing time varies depending on the individual case.

Fees

The fees vary depending on the individual case and can range from EUR 5,600 to EUR 20,400.

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

Sections 12-14 of the Hamburg Vocational Academy Act (HmbBAG)


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-BerAkadGHAV2P12

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

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Keywords: Professional academies, recognition Academies, recognition Berufsakademiegesetz, recognition of academies recognition

Last updated: 16.02.2026