What is Anabin H+, H+-, H-? How is a Turkish Diploma Classified for Germany?

Are you a Turkish student dreaming of university in Germany? One of the most critical steps in the application process is understanding the recognition status of your high school or university diploma in Germany. This is exactly where the question what is anabin h+ h+- h- comes into play and can lead to confusion. Don't worry, in this guide, we will explain step-by-step what the Anabin database is for, how Turkish diplomas are classified in this system, and which path is right for you.

#What is Anabin and Why is it So Important for Applications in Germany?

There is a central information system that evaluates the suitability of diplomas of foreign students who want to apply to higher education institutions (university, Fachhochschule – university of applied sciences, etc.) in Germany: Anabin (Informationssystem zur Anerkennung ausländischer Bildungsabschlüsse – Information System for the Recognition of Foreign Educational Qualifications). Anabin is a reference point for German universities and recognition offices. This means you can find out via Anabin whether your diploma grants direct university admission in Germany, requires additional conditions, or if you need a preparatory year (Studienkolleg – preparatory college).

The Anabin system fundamentally divides Turkish high school and university diplomas into three main categories: H+, H+-, and H-. This classification directly affects how your educational journey in Germany will begin. Let's take a closer look at these categories.

#What is H+: Direct Admission Right (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung – HZB)

H+ classification indicates that your diploma grants direct university admission (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung - HZB – higher education entrance qualification) in Germany. This is the most advantageous situation! If your diploma is classified as H+, you can apply directly to a university, just like a German high school graduate, provided you meet the other requirements for a specific program and university (language proficiency, GPA, etc.).

#Which Turkish High Schools are Generally Classified as H+?

Generally, certain types of high schools in Turkey can receive H+ classification if specific academic conditions are met:

• Anadolu Liseleri (Anatolian High Schools) and Fen Liseleri (Science High Schools): Students graduating from these types of high schools can generally be evaluated as H+ if they have a very good high school GPA and have gained admission to a university in Turkey through the Higher Education Institutions Examination (Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı – YKS). Especially having been placed in a 4-year undergraduate program with a good score in YKS strengthens this status.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: If you have an internationally recognized IB diploma, you generally receive direct H+ classification and can apply directly to many universities in Germany.
• Some Private High Schools: Some German schools in Turkey or private high schools that implement certain international curricula may also provide direct H+ equivalence.

Important Note: A high school diploma and YKS success alone may not be sufficient. There may also be a certain level of success required in subject-specific courses related to the program you are applying for, or additional university requirements. Therefore, you should always carefully check the admission requirements of the university you wish to apply to. (See: /universities page for our university profiles)

#What is H+-: Restricted Admission Right (Fachgebundene HZB)

H+- classification indicates that your diploma grants university admission in Germany, but with certain restrictions. These restrictions may generally be limited to the field of study you can apply for or may require additional exams/conditions.

#Which Turkish High Schools are Generally Classified as H+- and What are the Restrictions?

H+- classification usually occurs in the following situations:

• Graduates of Some Anadolu/Fen Liseleri: Students who do not have a very high high school GPA or who do not fully meet a certain success threshold in YKS but have still gained admission to a university in Turkey may fall into this category. The restriction is usually the obligation to study in Germany in the same field as the program they were placed in through YKS. For example, if you were placed in a science-oriented program in Turkey, you may need to apply for a science-oriented program in Germany.
• Imam Hatip Liseleri (Religious Vocational High Schools) and Some Vocational High Schools: Graduates from these types of high schools can generally apply to programs related to their own fields (vocational high school graduates to their own vocational fields). If they wish to apply to a program outside their field, they usually need to take additional exams or attend a Studienkolleg (preparatory college). For example, an Imam Hatip High School graduate who wants to study Theology in Germany can apply directly with H+-, but if they want to study engineering, they may fall into the H- category.
• Associate Degree Graduates: The situation is a bit more complex for students who have graduated from a 2-year associate degree (Meslek Yüksekokulu – Vocational School of Higher Education) program in Turkey. It generally does not grant direct right to complete a bachelor's degree. In some cases, with YKS success following associate degree education and a certain GPA, they may be evaluated as H+- in their own fields, but most often, they face the option of a Studienkolleg (preparatory college) or starting a bachelor's program from scratch. Each university may have different policies on this, so detailed research is very important. (See: /faq page for our associate degree questions)

Solution: If your diploma is H+-, first check if the program you wish to apply for is compatible with the restrictions. If necessary, consult the university directly or prepare for additional exams.

#What is H-: Studienkolleg Requirement (Keine HZB)

H- classification means that your diploma does not grant direct university admission in Germany. In this case, attending a Studienkolleg (preparatory college) is generally mandatory to be able to start university in Germany.

#Which Turkish High Schools are Generally Classified as H-?

H- classification usually occurs in the following situations:

• Açık Öğretim Liseleri (Open Education High Schools): Students graduating from open education high schools in Turkey generally cannot apply directly to universities in Germany and are required to attend a Studienkolleg (preparatory college).
• Meslek Liseleri (Vocational High Schools) (General Rule): The vast majority of vocational high school graduates are classified as H-. Those who wish to apply to a program outside their field or who do not meet specific academic requirements must definitely attend a Studienkolleg (preparatory college). In very rare cases, 4-year vocational high school graduates may be evaluated as H+- in their own fields if they have shown good success in YKS and have been placed in an undergraduate program in Turkey, and have a very good GPA, but this is an exceptional situation and not every university may accept it.
• Imam Hatip Liseleri (Religious Vocational High Schools) (Out-of-Field Application): Imam Hatip High School graduates are generally classified as H- and directed to a Studienkolleg (preparatory college) when they wish to apply to programs outside their own field.
• General High School Diploma (Without YKS Success): If you have graduated from a high school in Turkey but have not taken the YKS or have not gained admission to a university in Turkey, your diploma is generally classified as H-.

What is Studienkolleg? Studienkolleg (preparatory college) is a one-year program that prepares foreign students for the German university system and language. At the end of the program, you take a qualification exam called FSP (Feststellungsprüfung – assessment test). If you pass this exam successfully, you gain the right to apply to universities in Germany. Studienkollegs are usually divided into specific fields (T-Kurs, M-Kurs, W-Kurs, G-Kurs, S-Kurs), and you need to choose the appropriate course according to the program you wish to apply for. (See: Our /studienkolleg guide)

#The Role of ÖSYM/YKS in Anabin Classification

In the Anabin system, ÖSYM (Öğrenci Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi – Student Selection and Placement Center) and YKS (Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı – Higher Education Institutions Examination) results play a vital role in the evaluation of Turkish diplomas. Germany considers success in Turkey's university entrance examination as an important criterion in determining the equivalence of a high school diploma in Germany.

Generally, to receive H+ or H+- classification, in addition to your high school diploma, you are expected to have gained admission to a 4-year undergraduate program in Turkey. This situation is considered an indicator that your education meets a certain academic standard. The program you were placed in through YKS can also affect the field of study you can apply for in Germany.

#How Can You Check Your Own Diploma in Anabin?

To check the status of your own diploma in Anabin, you can visit Anabin's official website. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Go to the Anabin Website: Go to anabin.kmk.org.
2. Click on "Schulabschlüsse mit Hochschulzugang" (School Certificates with University Admission).
3. Country Selection: On the opened page, find and click on the "Türkei" (Turkey) option.
4. Find Your High School Type: Turkish high school types (Anadolu Lisesi, Fen Lisesi, Meslek Lisesi, etc.) will be listed. Find your own high school type.
5. Review Details: When you click on your high school type, you will see the H+, H+-, H- classifications applicable to that diploma and related explanations. Detailed information is usually found in the "Bewertung" (Evaluation) section.
6. Check YKS Requirements: Most often, in addition to the high school diploma, the requirement of having been placed in a university in Turkey through YKS is also specified. Read these requirements carefully.

Remember: The information in Anabin is a general guide. Each university may have its own additional admission requirements. Therefore, it is best to clarify your situation by contacting the international student office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of the university you are considering applying to.

#Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let's clear up confusion about Anabin and recognition with real questions from our ApplyToGerman (AlmanyaUni) community:

Question 1: Can one apply for a master's degree or get recognition when coming to Germany as a tourist? Answer: No, you cannot come to Germany on a tourist visa and apply for a master's degree or get diploma recognition. To study in Germany, you need to obtain an appropriate student visa (along with financial proof such as a Sperrkonto (blocked account)) and complete the application processes. It is mandatory to be in Turkey for the visa application and to submit the necessary documents.

Question 2: Has anyone applied for diploma recognition at Hamburg University? Answer: All universities in Germany, including Hamburg University, use the Anabin system and their internal guidelines for the recognition of foreign diplomas. The application process usually proceeds through Uni-Assist (a central application and recognition assessment service for many universities). Uni-Assist pre-evaluates your documents and forwards your recognition status to the university. This process is standard and does not show fundamental differences from university to university.

Question 3: Hello, if a law graduate's diploma is not recognized in Anabin, does it mean they are not suitable for a master's degree in Germany? What needs to be done to get recognition? Answer: Some professions, such as law, have very specific and complex recognition processes in Germany. If you do not see a direct H+ or H+- classification for your law diploma in Anabin, or if there is an expression like "keine Aussage" (no statement/information), this usually means that pursuing a master's in law in Germany will be difficult. The legal profession in Germany requires a long education and internship process (Staatsexamen – state examination) that varies from state to state. Foreign law diplomas may generally impose additional exams, courses, or even requirements to start a bachelor's degree from scratch for integration into the German legal system. To get recognition, you first need to contact the Ministry of Justice or the relevant recognition offices of the state you wish to apply to, explain your situation in detail, and find out what additional requirements you need to fulfill. In some cases, an "LL.M." (Master of Laws)