To obtain an academic recognition of higher education degrees in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation

EN - FR

Description

Has your higher education degree been obtained outside Belgium? Do you want or need to have your diploma recognised by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation?

You can apply for the academic recognition (équivalence) of your higher education degree. This procedure aims to assimilate studies carried out abroad with those organised in the higher education system of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

This recognition can be useful in order to look for a job in French-speaking part of Belgium or to pursue certain type of studies (agrégation, certificat d’aptitude pédagogique, etc.).

There are two types of “équivalence” : a recognition related to a specific academic degree (program recognition) and a recognition of a study level.

Recognition to a specific degree consists essentially in a comparison between academic content carried out abroad and a study program organised by our institutions.
A level recognition aims to establish legally the level of foreign degrees in relation to the degrees awarded in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. This recognition is not intended to evaluate a program of study.

More information on https://equisup.cfwb.be/equivalence/quest-ce-quune-equivalence/

Target audience - details

Any person who is gratued from a higher education institution located outside Belgium.

Key points

If you have a degree that allows you to practise a regulated profession within the European Economic Area (the 27 countries of the European Union as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland, the academic recognition system does not concern you.

Another procedure exists which is called professional recognition. This procedure is established within the framework of Directive 2005/36/EC and is addressed to nationals of the countries listed above wishing to pursue their profession in another member state based on their national qualification.

In terms of regulated professions, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation is the competent authority for the professional recognition of the following professions:

health care professions (doctors, dentists, nurses, clinical psychologists, etc.): https://agrementsante.cfwb.be/ ;
teaching professions: https://equisup.cfwb.be/reconnaissance-professionnelle/

For all other regulated professions (architects, veterinarians, lawyers, etc.), we invite you to consult the European database of regulated professions or to contact the Belgian assistance center to determine the competent authority.

Conditions

You can consult the criteria relating to the equivalence of higher education degree under the “Procedure” section of our website: https://equisup.cfwb.be/equivalence/procedure/

Procedure

How to apply for academic recognition?

Before submitting your application, it is essential to identify the type of academic recognition that suits your situation (specific degree or level of education).

To achieve this, we recommend the careful reading of the information on our website: https://equisup.cfwb.be/equivalence/quest-ce-quune-equivalence/.

Then you can complete and submit your application online via Mon Espace, the digital gateway of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

For foreign residents who do not have an identity card issued in Belgium, please follow the procedure explained on the website.

All the useful information to guide you and to submit your online application can be consulted on the following website: https://equisup.cfwb.be/equivalence/introduire-une-demande/