To verify a degree from an international institution, confirm four things in order: that the institution exists and is legally authorized in its own country, that the accreditation it claims is real and current, that the diploma and transcript are genuine and that they belong to the person who presents them. Each step uses a different source, and none of them depends only on documents supplied by the graduate.
Employers, universities and graduates themselves often need to confirm a qualification that was earned in another country. The task is easier with a fixed order and a written record. This guide sets out the steps, the sources to use, the signs that call for more care and a way to document the result. It describes general practice and uses the public lists of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA) where an institution claims EAHEA accreditation.
The Four Checks
- Institution: Is it real and authorized to award this qualification where it operates?
- Accreditation: If it claims accreditation, does the accrediting body confirm it, for the right scope and dates?
- Document: Is the diploma or transcript authentic?
- Person: Does the document belong to the individual in front of you?
Check 1: The Institution
- Search for the institution on the website of the education authority of its country, where one publishes a list of recognized institutions.
- Check that the name on the diploma matches the legal name, and note any change of name or merger.
- Look at the institution’s own website for contact details, a postal address and a registrar’s office, and compare them with independent sources.
- Be careful with institutions that exist only online, have no named leadership or use an address that is only a mailing service.
Check 2: The Accreditation
If the institution says it is accredited, find the accrediting body’s own list and look for the record. Accreditation is voluntary and non-governmental in many systems, so the claim has value only when the accrediting body confirms it. For EAHEA, search the Accredited Institutions directory by name or certificate number, and read the type of accreditation, the scope, the dates and the status. Institutional accreditation covers the institution as a whole and does not cover individual programs, so check the program if it matters. See how to verify an accredited institution in a public directory.
Check 3: The Diploma and Transcript
- Ask the institution’s registrar or records office to confirm the award, the dates and the title directly. Use contact details that you found yourself, not those printed on the document.
- Some countries run national or regional degree verification services. Use them where they exist.
- Compare the document with what is known about the institution: the title of the award, the language, the format and the dates.
- Check the transcript for consistency: the length of study, the course names and the credit system.
Check 4: The Person
A genuine diploma can still belong to someone else. Match the name with a government-issued identity document and, where names have changed, with a record of the change. Ask for the student number or other identifier, and check that dates of study are plausible against the person’s age and career. If the graduate gives written consent to contact the institution, record it.
Signs That Call for More Care
| Sign | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| A degree in a very short time with no clear study load | Credits may not reflect real study |
| A degree granted for life or work experience alone | It may not be an academic award |
| An accrediting body that cannot be found or confirms nothing | The accreditation claim is not supported |
| A registrar who cannot be reached or answers only by free email | The institution may not be what it says |
| A document with errors, an unusual format or unclear dates | It may be altered or fabricated |
See red flags in education marketing.
Recording the Result
- The name of the institution and the date of each check.
- The source used for each check, with the address or contact.
- The result: confirmed, not confirmed or not possible to confirm.
- The copy of the documents that you received.
- The name of the person who carried out the check.
Keep personal data only as long as the decision needs it. For employers, see how employers verify foreign degrees.
Limits
- A verification confirms that a document and an institution are genuine. It does not decide whether a country’s authorities or another institution will recognize or accept the degree.
- The EAHEA directory confirms EAHEA accreditation only. It does not state that an institution is authorized by its national authorities.
- EAHEA does not guarantee any admission, visa, permit or job.
Graduates of EAHEA-accredited institutions who need a third-party document can read about Degree Validation and degree validation vs. credential evaluation services.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
Confirm that the institution exists and is authorized in its country, then check any accreditation claim with the accrediting body.
No. Find the registrar’s contact details independently and use those.
Search the Accredited Institutions directory by name or certificate number and read the type, scope, dates and status.
No. Check the specific program if it matters.
No. Recognition is a separate decision by national authorities or institutions.
The sources, the dates, the results and copies of the documents, and keep personal data only as long as needed.