WRITTEN QUESTION E-4186/97 by Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop (PSE) to the Commission (21 January 1998)

Subject: Academic qualifications for A/LA grade competitions

Because of the great diversity of university qualifications in the European Union as a whole and the different study periods required, applicants are finding it difficult to understand what qualifications are needed in order to be eligible for A/LA grade competitions.

What selection criteria does the Commission use to determine eligibility for employment as an A/LA grade official in the European civil service?

Is it true that eligibility for such posts is restricted to those holding the highest university qualification in each Member State? If so, what legal provision governs this requirement?

Is it true that the Commission has accepted applications for A/LA grade posts from candidates holding a 'Fachhochschuldiplom', even though this is not the highest university qualification in the Member State concerned? On what grounds does the Commission accept such applications?

Why does it not accept the Spanish qualification of 'Ingeniero Técnico' for applications for A/LA grade posts?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (10 February 1998)

Under the EC Treaty the organisation of education and education policy are not areas of competence specifically assigned to the Community institutions. Given the range and variety of qualifications, opportunities for study, university diplomas and centres and universities which issue qualifications and diplomas officially recognised in each Member State, the Commission has to determine whether or not a diploma is acceptable for admission to the civil service on the basis of the specific legislation of the Member State where the applicant claims to have obtained the qualifications.

According to Article 27 of the Staff Regulations, the Commission's recruitment policy is directed to securing for the institution the services of officials of the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, recruited on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of Member States.In addition, officials must be selected without reference to race, creed or sex. Accordingly, in response to the Honourable Member's question regarding access to category A/LA, applicants are required to hold university degrees giving admission to doctoral studies.

With respect to the Honourable Member's question concerning applicants holding a 'Fachhochschulen' diploma, the Commission bases itself on the 1976 German 'Hochschulrahmengesetz' (HRG, governing 'Universitäten, Pädagogische Hochschulen, Kunsthochschulen, Fachhochschulen'); this Act defines university level diplomas (Hochschulabschluss) without making a distinction between the different types. Therefore the Commission admits applicants holding German diplomas issued after a minimum of eight semesters to sit A/LA competitions.

The Spanish diplomas 'Ingeniero Técnico' and 'Arquitecto Técnico' or 'Diplomado' are first level studies which do not give admission to doctoral studies. According to the 1990 Ley Orgánica de Ordenación General del Sistema Educativo (Logse) the qualification of 'Ingeniero Técnico' is obtained after completing three academic years. Therefore they are not considered eligible for admission to A/LA competitions.

Finally, although the Commission is well aware that the Community civil service is independent of the national civil services, it is also aware that the Spanish qualification of 'Ingeniero Técnico' does not give applicants admission to A grade competitions for the Spanish civil service. For this applicants must hold the 'Licenciatura' or equivalent, not 'Ingeniero Técnico, Diplomado o Arquitecto Técnico'.