Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Academic Degrees in Higher Education

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, The Ministry of Education and The Ministry of Culture representing the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark ("Denmark") and the Ministry of Education, Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges representing the Government of the People's Republic of China ("China") – hereinafter referred to as the Parties –

• recognising the benefit of establishing a methodology to ensure mutual recognition of higher education qualifications of both Parties in order to promote co-operation in education and to facilitate the exchange of people between Denmark and China
  

have reached the following agreement:

I Objectives of the Agreement

1. This Agreement aims to facilitate the mutual recognition of degrees awarded to students in Denmark and China by their higher education institutions. The Parties will designate appropriate bodies to provide information on recognition, and to make concrete recommendations in accordance with their current regulations and practices.
2. Both designated bodies should advise higher education institutions in their countries on the provision of higher education and comparability of qualifications from both systems with the aim of facilitating academic mobility and co-operation.
3. Recognising the fundamental changes to the higher education institutions in China in recent years, the designated body in Denmark, in conjunction with the designated body in China, will
   make available in Denmark information on currently recognised higher education institutions in China.
4. In parallel, the designated body in China, in conjunction with the designated body in Denmark, will provide information on currently recognised higher education institutions in Denmark for
   the higher education institutions in China.
5. With regard to paragraphs 3 and 4 of this section, both parties will provide lists of the currently recognised Chinese higher education institutions and research institutions with degree-awarding
   powers for Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degrees, and the higher education institutions with degree-awarding powers for Professional Bachelor, Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degrees in Denmark. This information will be maintained and updated regularly by the two designated bodies.

II Application Profile

1. For Denmark, this Agreement relates to the following degrees

A. Professional Bachelor (180-240 ECTS credit points) (1)
B. Bachelor (180 ECTS credit points)
C. Master (Kandidat) (120 ECTS credit points)
D. Doctorate.

2. For China, this Agreement relates to the following degrees

A. Xueshi (Bachelor), four years full time study
B. Shuoshi (Master), Xueshi and two to three years Shuosi studies
C. Boshi (Doctorate), Xueshi and two to three years Shuosi studies and three to four years Boshi-studies or Xueshi and five to six years Boshi studies.

3. Both governments respect the autonomy of higher education institutions in Denmark and China for admission in accordance with any relevant regulations.

III Range and levels of qualifications of higher education

1. The recommendations of designated bodies are given as advice on the comparability of Professional Bachelor, Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degrees from both sides based on comparative studies of course content and degree specifications in China and Denmark. Relevant information will be exchanged on an equal basis.
2. The Certificates/Diplomas from higher education institutions in China which offer shorter cycled sub-degree courses, and the Certificates from institutions for Adult Learning in China are not included in this Agreement but will be recognised on an individual basis.
3. The Danish Academy Profession Degree (2) (120 ECTS credit points) is not included in this Agreement but will be recognised on an individual basis.
4. Both sides encourage and support the higher education institutions in Denmark and China in co-operating on the recognition of course credits.

IV Degrees and Examinations

1. Holders of Chinese Bachelor degrees should be able to enter Master (Kandidat) studies subject to specific requirements determined by the admitting institution in Denmark.
2. Holders of Chinese Masters degrees should be considered to pursue doctorate studies in Denmark subject to the relevance of previous studies and the proposed research and the specific
   requirements of the admitting institution.
3. Holders of Danish Professional Bachelor degrees and Bachelor degrees should be able to enter Master studies subject to specific requirements determined by the admitting institution in the
   People's Republic of China.
4. Holders of Danish Master degrees should be considered for doctorate programmes subject to specific requirements determined by the admitting institution in China.
5. The higher education institutions in both countries retain the right to determine the grades and examination results required for all courses of study according to their own regulations.

V Standing Expert Committee

Each designated body will nominate a Standing Expert Committee. The name list of members will be exchanged through diplomatic channels. The primary function of the Standing Expert Committee is to:

1. Follow-up all issues and discussions raised by this Agreement including further discussions on details as appropriate.
2. Monitor and facilitate the co-operation between the designated bodies and other relevant organisations to ensure the continuing development of recognition mechanisms in Denmark and
   China and the exchange of information.

VI Financing

Unless otherwise decided each Party shall bear the costs of its participation in the Agreement.

VII Duration and Force of this Agreement

The Agreement will come into effect on the date of signature by both sides. Either Party may terminate it at any time by giving three months' notice in writing.

Signed ……………………………………… in Beijing, in triplicate in the English and the Chinese and the Danish languages. In case of discrepancies, the English version shall prevail.

…………………………………………………………………

For the Government of the People's Republic of China

…………………………………………………………………

For the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark

(1) A Danish bachelor degree in subject areas such as nursing, social work, engineering and teacher training

(2) A Danish short cycle higher education degree offered at Academies of Professional Higher Education in subject areas such as building technology, marketing management, computer-, chemical and biotechnical sciences.