When you apply to study abroad, universities need to be sure that your qualifications are what they are looking for. To do this, they check them carefully, with the help of well-established processes that you can trust. While this is not something to worry about – it simply ensures that applicants meet entry requirements – we know you may have questions. For answers, our guide to how universities verify qualifications and their grade equivalencies is here.
Why do universities check qualifications?
Universities want to know that your qualifications are legitimate and right for the course to which you are applying. Of course, this is something you will already know, but with so many applications arriving from different education systems, they are keen to make sure.
Problems with verification are not common. However, universities will look for a few possible issues. These include:
- Grades not matching those on your application
- The level of qualification being below what is required
- The awarding institution not being accredited
- The date of the award not matching that on your application
Again, these kind of problems do not arise often. If you know that your qualification meets the entry requirements, it should be fine. If any aspect of it falls short, you should be transparent. It may lead you towards alternative options.
For example, if your qualification was awarded longer ago than a university accepts, they may be able to offer you a place on a pathway course or pre-master's. This can help you prepare for degree study.
If you've been out of education for a while, you can still study abroad. Find out more with our guide to acceptable study gaps.
How are qualifications verified?
Universities all have their own approaches to verifying qualifications, which can vary for different applicants. Depending on where you previously studied, they may receive automatic authentication of your record. In other cases, they may need to check an online system run by your exam board or prior institution.
There are also external organisations that specialise in qualification and credential evaluation. Examples include World Education Services (USA), the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS; Canada) and Higher Education Degree Datacheck (UK). These services use extensive databases to assess the validity and level of qualifications.
Find out all about the different study levels in higher education.
How do universities compare qualifications?
Education systems can vary greatly around the world, so qualifications are compared carefully. Universities all take a formalised approach to evaluating the level of ones from other countries, and set entry requirements accordingly. Some of the things they may consider include:
- Length of study
- Scope of study
- Language of instruction
- Reputation of institution and education system
An example of how this affects entry requirements can be found at Victoria University in Australia. The minimum bachelor's degree grades needed to enrol on a master's at the institution vary slightly by country. The following table shows some of the differences.
| Country | Entry requirement |
|---|---|
| Australia | 50 per cent overall average |
| Bangladesh | Second division, or 2.5 GPA (out of 4) |
| Malaysia | Second class lower division, or 2.5 GPA (out of 4) |
| Nepal | 2.5 GPA (out of 4) |
| Nigeria | Second class honours (lower division) |
| Pakistan | 55 per cent overall average, or 2.5 GPA (out of 4) |
| Sri Lanka | 55 per cent overall average |
Wherever you are from, your qualifications should be widely recognised. In recent years, many countries have even agreed to accept them reciprocally. UNESCO's Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education has been signed by 38 states, including the UK, Australia, Côte d'Ivoire and Mongolia.
Get to know higher education systems around the world.
Do I need to check my qualifications before applying?
This is not often necessary, but you can choose to do it. Credential-checking services used by universities sometimes allow you to verify your qualifications for a fee. They may send these directly to the institution to which you are applying, if required.
A more common issue is with certificates and transcripts that are not written in English. If yours are in any other language, they may need to be translated for your university and visa applications. This will need to be done by an approved translator who can provide certification.
Take a look at some more top tips for student visa applications.
Do employers check qualifications?
In some cases, employers will verify your qualifications. They will do this to ensure that you are suitable for a job. This is most common with roles that require professional accreditation, and ones at the start of your career. Entrants to graduate schemes may need to provide their degree certificate.
Employers often use the same verification services as universities, but may also accept information from your university. Many institutions have degree verification portals that help with this. In a few clicks, alumni and employers can prove and check what is needed.
Want more guidance on your steps towards studying abroad? Our explanations of IELTS verification and applying to university could help. You can also visit Student Q&A, where international students share insights from institutions around the world. Alternatively, you can explore courses now with our simple search tool.
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