Hi Thomas,

thanks for your answer. I agree to what you said. However, I think we have to differentiate between the recognition of the degree itself and the way the holder of the degree is allowed to use the academic degree according to legal restrictions.

I did some research and here are my results:

According to the decision of the KMK from 2000 and 2001, foreign university degrees may be awarded in the form in which they were awarded as well as by stating the awarding university. The only prerequisite for this is that the degree has been awarded by a higher education institution recognised in the country of origin and on the basis of a higher education degree recognised there following a successful examination.

This is basically what you just explained.

Moreover, higher education degrees from member states of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), the European University Institute of Florence and the Pontifical Institutes of Higher Education in Florence, on the other hand, can be awarded without a designation of origin. Doctoral degrees from these countries can even be carried on your business card as a normal "Dr." without any further additions.

As a consequence of the Brexit the following seems to be reasonable:

If the Brexit not only results in withdrawal from the EU, but also in withdrawal from the EEA, the academic degrees of British universities no longer fall within the scope of the exceptions to simplified management. Whether withdrawal from the EU inevitably results in withdrawal from the EEA is not uniformly answered in jurisprudence. The British government around Theresa May seems to assume this in any case, so that it is probably discussed in the context of the withdrawal negotiations.

Should the Brexit be accompanied by an EEA withdrawal of the British, the addition in brackets would become due (e.g. DBA (London)).

On the other hand, the different management of a British doctorate would be much more noticeable. Instead of the previous "Dr." without an addition, only the "Ph.D. (London School of Economics)" would be permissible. Also the registration in the identity card or passport would then no longer be possible, since according to the jurisdiction of the Federal Administrative Court (Urt. v. 13.12.1988, Az. 1 C 54/86) this is only permissible, as far as the title may be used without addition.

This brings me to the following conclusion, assuming that GB will leave EU and EEA:

• The degree itself is still recognized as a doctoral degree
• However, you would not be able to simply use "DBA" or "Dr." anymore as long as there is no special agreement between EU and GB

Do you agree with that?

Thanks,
Tobias