UAE sets criteria for recognising foreign academic qualifications

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR ) has outlined specific requirements for recognising university qualifications issued by educational institutions outside the United Arab Emirates.

The Ministry stated that the certificate must be original and authentic, and the issuing university or institution must have been accredited by the official accreditation body in the country of study during the period of study.

It clarified that the duration of study is an internal evaluation criterion used in specific cases and is not a primary standard.

Additionally, previous qualifications do not determine the possibility of recognition, and full-time attendance in the country of study is not a primary criterion but may be used internally in certain cases.

The Ministry emphasised that proof of the qualification’s authenticity must be provided through one of its accredited partners, either Quadra Bay or DataFlow.

Embassy attestation alone is not sufficient proof unless accompanied by a response from the university that meets the specified conditions, the Ministry affirmed, adding that applicants must submit the original graduation certificate and a signed and stamped transcript covering the entire study period.

For postgraduate degrees, a research summary is also required if the programme was research-based. Emirati students on scholarships may submit their scholarship letter as part of the application documents, provided it is issued by an accredited entity in the UAE.