Educational Qualification
Organisations have a legitimate interest in verifying the authenticity and validity of the qualifications and educational credentials presented by prospective employees. Education Verification helps confirm this information reliably. This has become increasingly important in light of the growing number of fraudulent qualifications in the German labour market. In particular, digital certificates and electronically submitted credentials may present a higher risk of discrepancies or fraud.
DISA supports organisations by conducting structured, GDPR-compliant Education Verification.
Why verify an educational qualification?
- Risk reduction: Education Verification helps organisations ensure that employees possess the qualifications required for their role. This helps reduce operational errors, safety risks and quality issues.
- Legal compliance: In regulated industries, such as construction and technical professions, certain qualifications are legally required. Organisations are therefore expected to verify submitted qualifications and educational credentials carefully.
- Quality assurance: Verifying educational qualifications helps organisations confirm the credentials of new employees, supporting quality assurance and reducing operational risks.
What do you check with an educational qualification verification?
As part of an Education Verification, DISA verifies the candidate's highest completed educational qualification as well as the authenticity and validity of submitted certificates and credentials. Where required, additional qualifications, professional certifications and training records can also be verified.
The verification may include, among other things:
- Authenticity of the submitted certificate or qualification
- Type of qualification or degree obtained
- Field of study or training programme
- Duration of the education or training
- Issuing educational or training institution
Education Verification confirms, among other things, the type of qualification, the field of study and the duration of the education or training. The entire process is conducted in compliance with applicable data protection and compliance requirements, providing a transparent and well-documented assessment of a candidate's qualifications.
Verification through authorised sources
DISA verifies educational qualifications directly with the issuing institutions. These may include:
- Universities
- Vocational training providers
- Vocational schools
- Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK)
- Chambers of Crafts and Trades (HWK)
- Examination boards
Educational institutions may charge a verification fee for confirming qualifications. DISA passes these costs on without any additional mark-up. Thanks to its extensive experience with the German education system, DISA conducts Education Verification efficiently and in a structured manner. In addition to verifying qualifications directly with the relevant institutions, DISA also uses accredited databases where appropriate to support the verification process.
Alongside domestic Education Verification, DISA also verifies international educational qualifications and credentials. In these cases, the verification is carried out through the relevant educational institution or competent authority in the respective country.
GDPR-Compliant Education Verification
Every Education Verification conducted by DISA is carried out in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The processing and storage of information follow established data protection standards. Only the information required to verify the submitted qualifications is processed. Personal data is treated confidentially and used solely for the purpose of the verification. Protecting candidates' privacy and handling sensitive data responsibly are a top priority throughout the process.
Why educational verification by DISA?
Specialist in employment screening
With more than 25 years of experience in Employment Screening, DISA has extensive expertise in verifying educational qualifications and credentials both nationally and internationally.
Secure and GDPR-compliant
DISA conducts Education Verification in compliance with the GDPR, ensuring secure and reliable verification processes. Personal data is processed and stored in accordance with applicable data protection standards in Germany.
End-to-end support from DISA
DISA manages the entire verification process, from obtaining the candidate's consent to delivering the final report. This reduces the administrative workload for HR teams and allows them to focus on other priorities.
The importance of employment screening
Education Verification is an important component of a comprehensive Pre-Employment Screening programme. It is often combined with other screening checks, such as identity verification, reference checks and employment history verification.
Together, these checks provide greater transparency throughout the hiring process and support a well-informed risk assessment. Pre-Employment Screening helps organisations verify candidates' career-related information and make informed hiring decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about educational qualification verification
To verify an educational qualification, a copy of the relevant certificate is generally required. In addition, information from the candidate's CV is needed, such as details of the qualification, field of study and period of education. Depending on the qualification, further supporting documents, such as an academic transcript, grade report or additional certificates, may also be required.
The turnaround time depends on the type of qualification and the availability of the required information. In many cases, Education Verification can be completed within 7 to 10 business days. For international qualifications or where additional supporting documents are required, processing times may vary accordingly. DISA supports organisations in conducting the verification process efficiently and transparently.
Yes, DISA also verifies international educational qualifications and credentials. Verification is carried out through the relevant educational institutions, examination boards or competent authorities in the respective country. The same high standards of accuracy, data protection and transparency apply as they do to domestic qualifications. This enables organisations to assess international qualifications reliably and with confidence.