PhD Degree Equivalency in the UAE

Obtaining PhD equivalency certification in the UAE is essential for recognizing foreign academic qualifications, enabling career advancement, and ensuring eligibility for professional opportunities.

What is an Equivalency Certificate?

An equivalency certificate verifies that your foreign PhD degree is equivalent to a degree offered by UAE institutions. This recognition is crucial for employment, professional licensing, and further educational pursuits within the UAE.An equivalency certificate confirms that your foreign academic qualifications meet the standards set by the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE). 

PhD equivalency in the UAE is the official recognition of foreign PhD degrees by the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE). It ensures that your qualifications are on par with those awarded by local institutions. Without this certification, it’s nearly impossible to secure teaching roles in UAE universities or qualify for senior positions in research, government, or corporate sectors.

Why is an Equivalency Certificate Important?

The equivalency certificate verifies that your PhD degree meets the UAE’s educational standards. It ensures your degree is comparable to those offered by accredited institutions in the UAE, allowing you to:

    1. Academic Opportunities: A recognized PhD is mandatory for teaching positions at leading universities and colleges.
    2. Professional Growth: Many top employers, especially in government and research sectors, require equivalency for advanced roles.
    3. Credibility: Employers trust qualifications that meet UAE standards, enhancing your reputation.
    4. Research Funding: Equivalency is often required to secure research grants or funding from UAE institutions.
    5.  

Overview of the “University Certificates Recognition” System

The UAE’s Ministry of Education has replaced the “University Qualification Equivalency” system with the “University Certificates Recognition” system to streamline the recognition process for degrees from foreign higher education institutions (HEIs). This system simplifies and enhances the flexibility of certificate recognition while maintaining the UAE’s high educational standards​ (Ministry of Education UAE).

 This new system simplifies the process, making it more efficient and flexible for applicants. Key updates include:

  • Elimination of Physical Presence Requirements: Previously, there were minimum residency requirements for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, which have now been removed.
  • Acceptance of Distance Learning Degrees: Degrees obtained through distance learning are now recognized, except for specialized professions like engineering, medicine, and law.
  • Streamlined Criteria Based on University Ranking: Universities ranked in the top 200 globally face fewer conditions for degree recognition. For institutions ranked 601 and above, only verification of the degree’s validity is required.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Degree Equivalency

  1. Institution Accreditation: The institution must be recognized and accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education.
  2. Mode of Study: The degree should be obtained through acceptable study modes
  3. Research Methodology: The research methodology used in the PhD should be recognized in the UAE.
  4. International Ranking: Degrees from institutions ranked in the top 200 globally typically face fewer recognition hurdles. For institutions ranked 601 and above, additional conditions may apply.

Required Documents for PhD Degree Equivalency

  1. Completed Application Form: Available on the MoE portal.
  2. Original Certificates and Transcripts: From the awarding institution.
  3. Certified Translations: If documents are not in Arabic or English.
  4. Passport Copy: Including visa and residency details.
  5. Previous Equivalencies: If applicable.
  6. Thesis Abstract: For PhD degrees.
  7. Additional Documents: Such as letters of scholarship or sponsorship, and verification letters from relevant embassies.Attestation documents from home country authorities and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PhD Degree Equivalency Application Process

Key Steps for PhD Degree Equivalency

  1. Initial Verification:
    • Dataflow Verification: The first step involves verifying your PhD degree through the Ministry of Education’s trusted partner, Dataflow. This process, known as Primary Source Verification (PSV), confirms the authenticity of your academic credentials. The verification service can be availed via the Dataflow Gateway and typically takes between 7 to 20 working days depending on the country of issuance.
    • Required Documents: Submit necessary documents for verification, which usually include your degree certificate, transcripts, passport copy, and a recent photograph. Additional documents might be required based on the country of issuance and specific university policies.
  2. Application Submission:
    • Ministry of Education (MoE) Portal: After obtaining the verification report, applicants need to submit their equivalency application on the MoE portal. The portal allows for applications to be saved in draft mode until verification is complete.
    • Required Information: Include the Dataflow verification reference number in your application, along with details of your educational background and personal information.
  3. Payment of Fees:
    • Pay the required fees online through secure payment portals.
  4. Review and Processing:
    • Evaluation Criteria: The MoE evaluates applications based on various criteria, including the ranking and accreditation status of the issuing institution, the mode of study (e.g., distance learning), and the relevance of the degree to the applicant’s field of study or intended profession.
    • Special Considerations for Professional Degrees: Degrees related to specialized professions such as medicine, engineering, and law have specific additional requirements and conditions.
  5. Application Review and Processing:
    • The MoE evaluates applications based on the ranking of the issuing institution, the mode of study, and the relevance of the degree. Special considerations apply to professional degrees such as medicine, engineering, and law.
  6. Final Decision and Issuance:
    • Outcome Notification: Applicants are notified of the decision via email. If the degree meets all criteria, an equivalency certificate is issued, usually within two days post-verification.
    • Appeals and Re-evaluation: If the application is rejected, applicants have the right to appeal or request a re-evaluation by providing additional supporting documents or clarifications.

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Benefits of the New Recognition System

The updated “University Certificates Recognition” system removes several previous conditions, such as the physical presence requirement for degree holders and credit transfer limits. It also allows for the recognition of degrees obtained entirely through distance learning, except for specialized professions. The system aims to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and the overall recognition process, providing a seamless customer experience​ (Ministry of Education UAE) .

Higher-Ranked Institutions

Degrees from institutions ranked in the top 200 globally face fewer recognition challenges. These degrees only require verification of their validity, without additional conditions. For institutions ranked 601 and above, the process includes more stringent checks to ensure the credibility and quality of the education provided​ (Ministry of Education UAE).

 

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What is Primary Source Verification (PSV)?

Primary Source Verification (PSV) is the process of authenticating a professional’s qualifications such as educational degrees, licenses, or certifications—by directly contacting the original issuing authority. This ensures that the credentials are genuine, accurate, and meet the required standards.

Key Features of PSV:

  • Direct verification from issuing institutions (e.g., universities, licensing boards).
  • Used in industries like healthcare, education, and government.
  • Ensures compliance, safety, and professional integrity.

Why PSV Matters: PSV mitigates risks such as fraudulent credentials, regulatory violations, and compromised quality of service. Organizations often use PSV to validate qualifications for hiring, licensing, or academic equivalency.

For example, in the UAE, PSV is required for PhD equivalency certification to confirm the authenticity of foreign degrees.

How It Works:

  1. Documents are submitted for verification.
  2. The verifying body contacts the issuing authority.
  3. A report confirming authenticity is issued.

Who Conducts PSV? Organizations can perform PSV internally or outsource to specialized Credentialing Verification Organizations (CVOs) like DataFlow.

PSV is a critical step for ensuring trust and accuracy in professional credentials across industries.

Educational Documents
  • Degree Certificate Attestation
  • Master Degree Attestation
  • Diploma Certificate Attestation
  • Engineering Certificate Attestation
  • Bachelor Certificate Attestation
  • PhD Degree Attestation
  • Mark Sheets Attestation
Personal Documents
  • Marriage Certificate Attestation
  • Birth Certificate Attestation
  • School Leaving Certificate Attestation
  • Divorce Certificate Attestation
  • Transfer Certificate Attestation
  • Medical Certificate Attestation
  • Death Certificate Attestation
  • Experience Certificate Attestation
Commercial Documents
  • Board Resolution Attestation
  • Commercial Invoices Attestation
  • Certificate of Origin Attestation
  • Memorandum of Article Attestation
  • Shareholders Resolution Attestation
  • Certificate of Incorporation Attestation
  • Memorandum of Association Attestation
  • Articles of Association Attestation
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