Latvian vocational education and training (VET) graduates at upper secondary level who completed their studies in 2023 or later will have a clearer path to higher education in Germany from 2026/27.
Their VET diplomas will be accepted by German universities without additional diploma evaluation process, which was often complex and time-consuming. This follows a decision by the German Conference of Ministers of Education, the Kultusministerkonferenz.
VET graduates who meet the requirements for general secondary education in Latvia will have full access to higher education in Germany. They can apply to any programme, including at universities and technical universities. Graduates who meet the requirements for vocational secondary education, will be able to apply to universities of applied sciences, known in Germany as Fachhochschulen.
Removing administrative barriers, gives young Latvians equal opportunities within the European education area, and shows international recognition of the quality of the Latvian VET system.
In practical terms, this decision improves academic mobility for graduates who previously faced greater hurdles when applying for studies abroad.
| Please cite this news item as: ReferNet Latvia, & Cedefop (2026, June 10th). Latvia: VET graduates gain easier access to German higher education. National news on VET |