Lifestyle
How to get your university degree recognised in the UAE
A new automatic recognition service by the Ministry of Education streamlines the process for graduates from accredited global universities, reducing paperwork and processing times.
By 19Network Editorial Team · Aug 20, 2026 · 2 min read
The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has launched an automatic recognition service for degrees from leading international universities. This simplifies the previous multi-step attestation and equivalency process for expat professionals and their employers.
## Step 1: Check if your university qualifies for automatic recognition The service applies to graduates holding bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees from the top 500 universities in the QS World University Rankings, The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, or Shanghai Ranking (ARWU). The degree must have been issued after January 1, 2017. The Ministry of Education provides a search tool on its website to check if a specific university and qualification are on the pre-approved list. You will need the exact name of the university and your degree title. ### Required Information: - University Name (as on your certificate) - Degree Title (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering) - Year of Graduation ## Step 2: Prepare your digital documents Even with automatic recognition, you must have specific documents ready for verification. The key difference is that the process is now fully digital and does not require physical stamps from UAE embassies in your home country. ### Documents for Verification: 1. **Clear digital copy of your final university degree certificate.** 2. **Clear digital copy of your complete academic transcript.** 3. **Proof of graduation date** (if not on the certificate). 4. **A valid Emirates ID card (front and back).** 5. **A valid passport copy.** All documents must be clear, high-resolution scans or digital photos. The MoE system uses this to verify the authenticity of your qualification directly with the issuing institution or via a…