Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region

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United Kingdom

Australia

06-08-1986

In handing over Australia’s instrument of accession to the Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region, done at Paris on 21 December 1979, I have been instructed to present the following statement:
Australia has a federal constitutional system in which legislative, executive and judicial powers are shared or distributed between the Commonwealth of Australia and the constituent States.
The implementation of the treaty throughout Australia will be effected by the Commonwealth, State and Territory authorities having regard to their respective constitutional powers and arrangements concerning their exercise.
In addition, at present in Australia each higher education institution has responsibility for determining what qualifications it will accept for admission to various levels of study. Registration boards and professional associations have responsibility for determining the recognition to be given to qualifications whether obtained in Australia or overseas, for the purpose of registration or permission to practise a profession in Australia. The Commonwealth authorities will transmit the text of the Convention to these educational institutions, in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention, and also to the relevant boards and associations.
You will understand that this statement is not a reservation.

Austria

25-03-1986

The Republic of Austria will recognize the certificates, studies, diplomas and degrees, covered by this Convention, provided that the level and content of the foreign education courses and examinations correspond to the level of comparable Austrian courses and examinations.
When implementing this Convention, the Republic of Austria will recognize only those educational and higher educational institutions that correspond to equivalent Austrian institutions.

Canada

06-03-1990

Canada’s Constitution provides for a federal system in which legislative powers are allocated between the federal parliament and the provincial legislatures.
In accordance with its exclusive legislative powers in education under the Canadian Constitution, each province will assure the application of the Convention within its territory. Pursuant to Part IV of the Convention, federal and provincial authorities will jointly establish a commission to act as a national body.
Each post-secondary institution in Canada has responsibility for determining what qualifications it will accept for admission to various levels of study. Most professions are self-governing and have authority conferred on them by legislation to determine the recognition to be given to qualifications, whether obtained in Canada or in other countries, for the purpose of registration or permission to practice a profession in Canada. This declaration is not a reservation.

Germany

21-12-1979

[…] As regards the university sector:
The Federal Republic of Germany shall recognize the equivalence of diplomas and degrees covered by this Convention only in so far as the requirements of the foreign examinations are equivalent to those of the examinations set in the Federal Republic of Germany.
In applying this Convention, the Federal Republic of Germany shall recognize only end-of study diplomas awarded by those foreign higher education establishments that correspond to the higher education establishments coming within the field of application of the policy law governing higher education (Hochschulrahmengesetz). Responsibility for the application of the provisions of Articles 8 and 9 shall rest with the relevant authorities in the Federal Republic of Germany, in conformity with existing legislation.
As regards Article 1, paragraph 1(b), of the Convention:
Admission to a regulated profession and its exercise are subject to the rules and procedures in force in the national territory and to the other conditions laid down by the governmental and professional authorities responsible for the exercise of the professional activity in question.
This condition shall also apply to admission to a vocational training course for the exercise of a regulated profession.

Greece

21-12-1979

[…] in respect of Article 2, paragraph 3, it considers that arrangements between universities and other higher educational institutions can be made only through the bilateral, subregional, regional or other agreements referred to at the beginning of the said paragraph 3;
(b) in respect of the recognition of a certificate, diploma or degree in higher education for the purpose of practising a profession, as provided for in Article 5 of the Convention, such recognition (having regard also to the provisions of Article 1, paragraph 1(c) of the Convention), shall not entitle the holder to more rights, with regard to the profession he intends to practise in Greece, than he would enjoy in practising the same profession in the country in which the certificate, diploma or degree was awarded;
(c) in respect of Article 14 of the Convention, the application of the Convention to studies pursued at, and to certificates, diplomas and degrees obtained from, any institution of higher education under the authority of a Contracting State, even when this institution is situated outside its territory, will, in the case of Greece, be subject to the proviso not only that the competent authorities in the Contracting State in which the institution is situated have no objections, but also that the competent Greek authorities have no objections.

Switzerland

16-05-1991

[…] The Swiss Federal Council declares that the application of the Convention is subject to reservations in connection with the competence of the Cantons in educational matters as derived from the Federal Constitution and the autonomy of the universities.

United Kingdom

21-12-1979

The United Kingdom makes a reservation in respect of Article 7, paragraph 1, to the effect that the academic awards concerned will be taken to cover those of recognized institutions in the United Kingdom. (For many of these, including the universities, there are no "competent approving authorities". Such institutions exercise their academic autonomy with regard to the award of degrees, diplomas and certificates with the assistance of external examiners).

22-10-1985

The United Kingdom Government declares that it ratifies the Convention on behalf of: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Montserrat and undertake faithfully to perform and carry out all the stipulations therein contained subject to the reservation that Article 7.1 will be taken to apply to all certificates, diplomas and degrees which are related to a course of study provided by a recognized institution. (For many institutions, including the Universities, there are no "competent approving authorities", the institutions exercising academic autonomy with the assistance of external examiners. In the case of other institutions, the award is made by a separate validating body.)

United States of America

21-12-1979

Based on its Constitution, federal system of government, and pluralistic system of education administered principally by competent authorities not under the control of the United States Government, the United States of America notes the following interpretation and understanding with respect to the Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region.
In regard to the phrase: "obligations of governments" contained in Articles 3, 4 and 5, the United States will, of course, carry out any commitments this Convention may impose on its Federal Government. However, it is the interpretation and understanding of the United States that in so far as the subject-matter of this Convention is not within the legal authority or competence of the United States Government, nothing in this Convention is intended to confer such legal authority or competence or derogate in any way from the exercise of such legal authority by the competent authorities in the United States. The term "competent authorities" is understood to apply exclusively to those governmental and non-governmental authorities currently exercising legal authority over the subject matter of this Convention. In regard to the phrase "within the framework of intergovernmental agreements in force" contained in Article 2.2, the United States considers this reference to be in no way limiting upon the freedom of individuals and institutions in the United States to engage in international co-operation now under way or which may be contemplated in the areas addressed by Article 2 outside of as well as within the framework of such agreements.