In the course of the Bologna Process aimed at bringing the structures of European higher education systems closer together, the reorganisation of study cycles and their respective academic degrees has given rise to the need for a legal correspondence between old and new degrees. Where such formal correspondence has been established by the competent authorities for an old higher education degree, and the new degree concerned is included in the Benelux Decisions M(2015)3 and M(2018)1, the old degree benefits from automatic academic recognition at the CLQ level of the new degree.
(e.g.: The former Belgian degree of Licencié en sociologie, awarded by universities, legally corresponds to the new degree of Master en sociologie, which in turn is automatically recognised at level 7 of the CLQ. Consequently, the degree of Licencié en sociologie is automatically recognised at level 7 of the CLQ.)
Degrees from the Baltic States
The Treaty of 14 September 2021 applies exclusively to diplomas awarded since the implementation of the Bologna Process and listed in the table under the heading ‘Degrees from the BENELUX and the Baltic States’. Previous Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian diplomas are therefore not automatically recognised. However, this exclusion is without prejudice to possible recognition through the normal procedure for registration in the register of formal higher education qualifications, section of higher education (see section ‘Any other foreign diploma’).
Flemish Community of Belgium
The following legal texts fix the correspondence between old and new degrees:
- Codex Hoger Onderwijs van 20 december 2013, Art. II.377, Art. II.378
- Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering van 17 september 2004
For a summary list of correspondence between old and new higher education degrees, reference is made to the page of the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training.
French Community of Belgium
Degrees awarded in the context of the enseignement de promotion sociale prior to the implementation of the Bologna Process are not covered by the Benelux Decisions.
The following texts contain the legal correspondences for degrees issued by universities, other higher education institutions, and in the context of higher artistic education:
- Degrees awarded by universities:
Arrêté du Gouvernement de la Communauté française fixant la liste de correspondance entre les anciens et nouveaux grades académiques (A.Gt 19-05-2004 - M.B. 27-07-2004) - Degrees awarded by other higher education institutions (e.g. Haute École):
Arrêté du Gouvernement de la Communauté française fixant la liste de correspondance entre les anciens grades et les nouveaux grades académiques délivrés par les établissements d'enseignement supérieur de plein exercice, à l'exception des universités (A.Gt 06-07-2007 - M.B. 07-09-2007) - Degrees awarded in the framework of higher artistic education:
Arrêté du Gouvernement de la Communauté française portant application de l'article 29 du décret du 17 mai 1999 relatif à l'Enseignement supérieur artistique (A.Gt 16-09-2002 - M.B. 13-11-2002)
This text is to be read in conjunction with Order A.Gt 06-07-2007 – M.B. 07-09-2007 cited above.
German-speaking Community of Belgium
- Not applicable
The Netherlands
- Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek, Art. 7.10a., Art. 7.19a., Art. 7.20.
- Generic list of correspondence between old and new higher education degrees.