What Do Anabin H+, H+/- and H- Mean? Turkish Diplomas and HZB

Are you a Turkish student dreaming of university in Germany? One of the most important steps is understanding how your school or university qualification is assessed in Germany. A common mistake: anabin's H+, H+- and H- codes describe higher-education institutions, not school-leaving certificates. This guide explains what the H codes really mean, which rules apply to a Turkish school-leaving certificate, and how to check your own case.

#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).

#What do H+, H+/- and H- actually mean?

In anabin, H+, H+/- and H- describe the status of higher-education institutions; they do not classify school-leaving certificates.

• H+: the institution is recognised as a higher-education institution in its home country and is regarded as one in Germany.
• H+/-: no single status can be set for the type of institution; the institution is assessed separately.
• H-: the institution is, temporarily or permanently, not regarded as a higher-education institution.

According to anabin, H+ only means that degrees from that institution can undergo an equivalence assessment; it does not anticipate the result. So H+:

• is not in itself a university entrance qualification (HZB),
• does not automatically recognise your degree,
• does not mean automatic admission; the university you apply to decides.

The degree itself is assessed separately in anabin by degree type (for example "entspricht", "gleichwertig" or "bedingt vergleichbar"). That assessment is not a recognition decision either.

#How is a Turkish school-leaving certificate assessed in Germany?

Whether your Turkish school certificate gives access to German higher education is decided not by H codes but by anabin's country rules for Turkish school qualifications (anabin → "Schulabschlüsse mit Hochschulzugang" → Türkei). The Lise diploma on its own does not give access; the rules assess it together with the ÖSYM result and placement document. According to anabin's current assessment (as of 30 September 2026):

• 12-year Lise + more than 180 points in YKS in the score type SAY, SÖZ, EA or DIL + placement in a bachelor's programme of at least 4 years at a faculty: direct, subject-restricted access without a Studienkolleg for the placed subject and related subjects. You do not need to have enrolled in Türkiye.
• Placement in a 4-year programme at a university-affiliated Yüksekokul: direct, subject-restricted access to Fachhochschulen only.
• Vocational high school (Meslek Lisesi) + more than 180 points: subject-oriented Studienkolleg; after one successfully completed year of bachelor's study in Türkiye, direct subject-restricted access.
• Completed Önlisans + more than 150 points in TYT: direct, subject-restricted access.
• Only one year at a Meslek Yüksekokulu (MYO): Studienkolleg route, for Fachhochschulen only.
• Two successfully completed years at an open-education faculty (Açıköğretim): direct, subject-restricted access.
• Open high school (Açık Öğretim Lisesi): assessed case by case; the exam result and a study place must also be proven.
• Completed bachelor's degree of at least 4 years: direct access for all subjects.
• School types such as İmam Hatip or Anadolu Teknik: check the outcome individually.

No placement, or below the threshold: official sources do not define a general route for this case. According to the DAAD admission database, admission is not possible for a Lise graduate who did not take YKS or only has a TYT result. Ask the university you apply to or uni-assist about your case; the decision lies with the university or the competent authority of the federal state.

What does subject-restricted access mean? You may only apply for programmes in, or related to, the field you were placed in or studied. There is no official fixed list of "related" subjects; the university you apply to assesses this.

About the score thresholds: 180 points is anabin/KMK's current assessment (last change: KMK decision of 30 June 2022, continued "until further notice"). 170 points was an exception for the 2020 exam year only. These thresholds are part of the German assessment, not Turkish higher-education rules, and can change; check anabin and the university's requirements before you apply.

#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 the details: when you open your certificate, you will see the rules that apply to it (for example, which access route opens together with the ÖSYM result and placement). H+/H- codes are not used for school certificates; they refer to institutions.
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: anabin contains two separate pieces of information: the institution status of the university (H+, H+/-, H-) and the assessment of the degree type. An H+ institution alone does not mean equivalence or admission. For a master's application, the university decides on admission and checks whether your degree fits the programme. The legal profession in Germany is regulated and tied to the Staatsexamen; a foreign law degree does not replace it. If your goal is a master's, ask the university about the programme's requirements (some LL.M. programmes are designed for foreign lawyers); for the profession, contact the competent authority of the federal state.