One may request the recognition/nostrification of his/her degree if domiciled in Hungary, or possesses a residence permit validated for a period of time longer than one year, and able to prove credibly that the recognition of his/her degree is necessary for studies, for the practice of profession or for the enforcement of rights in Hungary.

The recognition of an academic degree and that of a professional qualification testified by the degree belongs to the sphere of authority of HEIC within the Ministry of Culture and Education, while nostrification of degrees belongs to the higher education institutions. Before nostrification one always has to request the recognition of the academic degree from HEIC. The recognition of academic degree testifies that the foreign degree is equivalent to a university or college degree obtainable in a Hungarian higher education institution, or in the event of no equivalent degree testifies qualification in higher education. The appeal against the decision of the HEIC may be made to the Minister of Culture and Education.

When recognising a qualification, HEIC takes into account the legal status of the foreign higher education institution, the character of the degree, the length of studies there and the study requirements. It is of vital importance that the foreign institution (of higher education) issuing the degree is accredited/recognised, and its diploma testifies a degree in higher education on the basis of the law of the foreign state.

Requests concerning the recognition of foreign diplomas testifying postgraduate or scientific degrees are to be filed with HEIC, institutions of higher education may begin the procedure of nostrification on the basis of the position taken by HEIC.

The recognition of professional qualification testified by the degree may be required if the degree cannot be nostrificated, or the holder of the foreign degree does not want it to be nostrificated (e.g. before retirement). The legal force of recognition of the professional qualification is equal to the legal force of nostrification.

A professional qualification certifies that the holder of the degree possesses the qualification testified by the foreign degree and the basic knowledge necessary for acquiring similar special qualification in Hungary. Conditions of recognising professional qualification are that HEIC recognises the level of qualification, and the holder of the degree fulfils the prescribed supplementary conditions (e.g. additional examinations, attending lectures, knowledge of another foreign language etc.). The body to make a decision on the comparability of the foreign professional qualification is the Hungarian Equivalence Committee (HEC) that has sub-committees according to the main fields of studies. It is not in the authority of HEIC to recognise medical or pharmacist specialist degrees, this falls under the authority of the National Board for Specialist Examination.

Nostrification belongs to the sphere of authority of higher education institutions. The legal force of the nostrificated degree accords with the legal force of the degree issued on the basis of studies pursued in the higher education institution which has nostrificated it, thus it has to be seen as if it had been issued by the nostrificating institution originally.

The conditions of nostrification are that the level of qualification testified by the degree is recognised by HEIC, the degree testifies the type of professional qualification obtainable at the higher education institution concerned, and the study requirements fulfilled by the person requesting nostrification correspond to the qualification requirements prescribed in Hungary or can be made to correspond to requirements mentioned above with the prescription of supplementary conditions which the applicant successfully fulfils.

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