The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a new policy regarding the recognition and equivalence of foreign academic qualifications
HEC introduced updated requirements for Pakistani students who obtain degrees from institutions abroad, which ensures that foreign qualifications meet accepted academic standards before they are recognised in Pakistan.
HEC has clarified under new rules that only degrees awarded by universities and higher education institutions that are officially recognised in their country of origin will be considered for recognition. The institutions must also be listed in internationally accepted educational databases and hold the necessary accreditation status.
This move is intended to protect students from enrolling in unrecognised institutions and obtaining qualifications that may not be accepted in Pakistan.
Further, the commission has emphasised that students planning to study abroad should carefully verify the recognition status of both the university and the degree programme before seeking admission. According to HEC, failure to do so may result in difficulties when applying for degree equivalence or professional recognition after graduation.
The updated policy also outlines conditions related to study duration, mode of education, and academic requirements. Degrees earned through methods that do not meet HEC’s standards may face challenges during the equivalency process. Each application will continue to be reviewed individually through online degree equivalence system to determine whether it satisfies the required criteria.
HEC further stated that the policy applies not only to students who are planning to pursue education abroad in the future but also to those who are currently enrolled in foreign universities.
Students have been advised to stay informed regarding the requirements to avoid complications later.
The commission believes that these steps will improve transparency and strengthen quality assurance in the recognition of international qualifications. It is expected to help students make informed educational decisions while ensuring that degrees obtained from abroad are aligned with accepted academic standards in Pakistan.
Overall, HEC has encouraged prospective applicants to consult official guidelines and verify programme details directly with their institutions before enrollment.
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