Studying in the UAE? Here's how to check if your university and degree are recognised

Dubai: Choosing a university is one of the biggest education decisions you'll make—but before accepting an offer, there is one question every student should ask: Will my degree be recognised in the UAE? If you plan to work in the UAE or need your qualification attested by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), checking that both the university and, where applicable, your academic programme are officially recognised is an essential first step. Different higher education institutions in the UAE fall under different regulatory authorities, depending on where they are located and how they operate. Here's how to verify a university's accreditation before you enrol. Check MOHESR accreditation The primary accreditation body in the UAE is the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), which issues licences and accreditation to higher education institutions offering degree, diploma or certificate programmes that have a study duration of at least a year. CAA offers an online platform, where you can check the list of all the universities that offer degrees accredited by it. To check whether the university you are considering offers a degree accredited by MOHESR, follow these steps: Visit https://www.caa.ae/Pages/Institutes/All.aspx In the search bar enter the name of the university or institution. Click on the result. You will then see the entry for the university or institution. If the university is accredited, you will see the status as ‘active’, which means that the degree you receive will be accredited by MOHESR. Studying at a Dubai free zone university? Check KHDA recognition In Dubai, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has established the University Quality Assurance International Board (UQAIB) to assure the quality of education at international branch campuses. All higher education institutions located in Dubai’s Free Zones must undergo the UQAIB quality assurance process, which uses a validation model to ensure that the academic programme delivered in Dubai is the same accredited programme taught at the institution’s home campus. You can find a list of all the higher education institutions that have been certified by KHDA here: https://web.khda.gov.ae/en/Education-Directory/Higher-Education Students who graduate from higher education institutions in Dubai’s free zones will be able to have their degrees certified by KHDA for employment and other purposes in Dubai. However, it is important to note that the KHDA certification and MOHESR institutional accreditation are not the same – a university being recognised and quality assured by KHDA does not automatically mean it is also accredited by MOHESR. If you intend to use your qualification for purposes that require MOHESR accreditation, you should separately verify whether the institution and the specific academic programme are accredited by the Ministry. Abu Dhabi universities In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is the authority responsible for authorising higher education institutes operating in the Emirate. In 2025, MOHESR partnered with ADEK to streamline the accreditation process, ensuring that applications for accreditation placed by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are aligned with both entities’ regulations. View the list of authorised higher education institutions by ADEK, here: https://www.adek.gov.ae/Education-System/Higher-Education/List-of-Higher-Education-Institutions-in-Abu-Dhabi Before you enrol Before committing to any university, always verify: Whether the institution is officially recognised. Whether your degree programme is accredited. Whether your qualification will meet employment or attestation requirements. Taking a few minutes to verify a university's accreditation before enrolling can help ensure that your qualification is recognised when you graduate.