UAE simplifies recognition process for foreign university degrees

The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has unveiled its ‘University Certificates Recognition’ system, replacing the ‘University Qualification Equivalency’ system, which was in place for degrees issued by foreign higher education institutions (HEIs), according to a report by the state news agency, WAM.

The ministry has enhanced flexibility and streamlined the recognition process to be efficient and simple, while ensuring efficiency across all its services.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, highlighted that the updated system for recognising certificates from foreign HEIs aims to offer students streamlined and adaptable services in completing their educational or employment procedures.

Additionally, it simplifies the recognition process while upholding the focus on quality and credible educational standards as set by the UAE.

Dr Al Falasi added, “The MoE has adopted the new system for recognising certificates issued by foreign higher education institutions, after communicating and consulting with all relevant authorities and taking into consideration the observations and suggestions of students on ways to develop the current services we offer.

He added that the UAE was committed to ensuring that “the new system takes into account those institutions’ international rankings and field of specialisation, in alignment with national and ministry standards”.

As part of our ongoing commitment to meet the aspirations of our students and provide them with the best services to support their academic journey and professional career, we are pleased to announce the “University Certificates Recognition” system that recognizes your… pic.twitter.com/GYau1SwHoa

— وزارة التربية والتعليم (@MOEUAEofficial) June 21, 2023

Highlights of the new certificates recognition system in the UAE

The updated system unveiled by the UAE highlights the need for attesting previous degrees, and complying with a minimum physical presence requirement of 30 days for master’s graduates and 168 days for bachelor’s graduates.

It has also eliminated other criteria and conditions such as credit transfer limits and distance learning credit caps.

Obtaining certificates entirely through distance learning (or e-learning) is now permitted. All programmes are subject to these updates, except certificates related to specialised professions like engineering, medicine, and law.

According to the new system, recognition criteria include the category of the HEI where the certificate was issued. In other words, the lower the rank of the HEI, the more conditions and requirements are applied to attain recognition. For example, for universities ranked from 1-200, it is enough to verify the validity of the certificate, and no other criteria or conditions are required for recognition, excluding certificates related to specialised professions.

Certificates related to certain specialisations and issued by foreign HEIs are immediately recognised once their validity is verified and if the university is accredited in case it ranked 601 and above, without any additional conditions or criteria. This, in turn, enhances the efficiency of the overall recognition procedures.