How to Check a University or Course Is Recognised
A degree is only as good as the institution behind it. A few quick checks protect you from wasted fees and worthless certificates.
The short version
- GOV.UK warns that not all colleges that teach degrees can award them.
- In England, check a higher education provider on the Office for Students (OfS) Register.
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland publish their own lists of recognised bodies.
- Hedd, the UK’s official degree verification service, can help check whether an institution is genuine.
- For qualifications below degree level in England, check Ofqual’s register of regulated qualifications.
A university’s website can look polished whether or not it’s genuine. Before you pay fees, especially to a private or online provider you don’t know, it’s worth checking that the institution is properly recognised and that the qualification you’ll get is real.
Why it matters
GOV.UK makes a point that surprises many people: not all colleges that teach degrees can award them. That’s not necessarily a problem, because many colleges teach courses validated or awarded by a partner university. But you should know who awards your degree and check that it’s recognised. GOV.UK also warns that if a degree isn’t officially recognised, employers or universities might not accept it.
Checking a provider in England
In England, higher education providers can register with the Office for Students (OfS), the regulator for higher education in England. GOV.UK says you can check the OfS Register to see whether a provider can award degrees.
When you look up a provider, note:
- Whether it’s registered.
- Whether it has its own degree-awarding powers.
- If not, which university awards its degrees.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Each nation publishes its own information:
- Scotland: the Scottish Government’s list of recognised and listed bodies.
- Wales: the list of recognised bodies in Wales.
- Northern Ireland: the Northern Ireland Executive’s list of recognised and listed bodies.
Using Hedd to spot bogus institutions
Hedd (Higher Education Degree Datacheck) describes itself as the UK’s official degree verification service. Employers and universities use it to verify degrees, and it also offers a tool to check whether an institution is a genuine UK degree-awarding body, alongside information on known bogus institutions.
Watch out
Be wary of providers that offer degrees based on “life experience,” promise a degree in weeks, have no real entry requirements or assessment, or use a name very close to a well-known university. These are classic signs of degree mills.
Qualifications below degree level
Many courses lead to qualifications such as diplomas and certificates rather than degrees. In England, Ofqual regulates many of these qualifications and keeps a register of regulated qualifications and the organisations that award them. If a course claims to lead to a regulated qualification, you can check it there.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Who awards the qualification, and is that body recognised?
- Is the qualification regulated, accredited or recognised by a professional body, if your career needs that?
- What’s the refund policy if you withdraw?
- Can you speak to current students or graduates?
- Will the course qualify for student finance? Recognised courses often do.
Recognised online study is widely available, including through the Open University. And for free ways to try a subject first, see our guide to free and low-cost courses.
Questions students ask
What’s the difference between a degree-awarding body and a college that teaches degrees?
Some colleges and private providers teach degree courses that are awarded by a partner university. That’s legitimate, but you should know which university awards your degree and check that it’s recognised.
What happens if my degree isn’t recognised?
GOV.UK notes that employers or universities might not accept a degree that isn’t officially recognised. That could affect jobs, further study and visas.
Are online degrees recognised?
They can be, if they’re awarded by a recognised university. Many UK universities offer online degrees. The method of study matters less than who awards the qualification.
How do bogus universities trick people?
Common signs include names very similar to real universities, degrees offered for ‘life experience’, no proper assessment, and pressure to pay quickly. If an offer seems too easy, check before you pay.
This guide is general information for students in the UK. Dates, fees and rules change, so always check the latest details with UCAS, GOV.UK, Student Finance England or your university or college before making decisions.
