startnewlife Mendee CIC · London

Qualification recognition — UK ENIC

Updated: 12 April 2026
In short

UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) compares your degree with the UK equivalent. Cost: £49.50. Takes 15 working days. For refugees without documents: [email protected] — flexible approach under the Lisbon Convention.

£49.50
Cost
standard check
15 days
Processing
working days
refugee@
For refugees
ecctis.com
1997
Convention
Lisbon Recognition

How to apply — step by step

1
Gather your documents
You need: your degree certificate (scan), transcript with grades, and a certified English translation. If documents are lost — see the section for refugees below.
2
Apply on enic.org.uk
Go to enic.org.uk. Fill in the online form, upload your documents, and pay £49.50.
3
Receive your Statement of Comparability
After 15 working days you get a document. It shows the UK equivalent of your degree. For example: "comparable to British Bachelor (Honours) degree".
4
Show it to employers or universities
Attach the Statement to your CV or study application. Employers will immediately understand your education level.

Lost your documents? There is a solution

Under the Lisbon Convention (1997), the UK must use a flexible approach for refugees who lost their documents. Email [email protected]. They may ask you to: describe your education, list your subjects and grades, or go through an interview. This is not an exam — just a knowledge check. Many refugees go through this process successfully.

Professional registration

Some professions in the UK are regulated — you must register with a special body. UK ENIC does not replace this registration.

Profession Body Exams Refugee support
Doctor GMC PLAB 1 + PLAB 2 REACHE, RefuAid grants
Nurse NMC CBT + OSCE RefuAid, REACHE
Dentist GDC ORE Part 1 + Part 2 Limited
Engineer Engineering Council Portfolio STEM Futures
Teacher TRA QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) Refugees into Teaching
Lawyer SRA SQE 1 + SQE 2 QLTS support

Frequently asked questions

What is UK ENIC?

UK ENIC (formerly called NARIC) is the official UK body that compares overseas qualifications with British ones. They issue a Statement of Comparability — a document that explains to employers and universities what your degree equals in the UK system.

What if I lost my documents when fleeing?

Email [email protected]. Under the Lisbon Convention, the UK must use a flexible approach for refugees without documents. They may ask you to describe your education, go through an interview, or take a test. It is free or cheaper than the standard process.

How much does it cost and how long does it take?

Standard check: £49.50, takes 15 working days. There is a faster option for an extra fee. For refugees without documents — it may take longer, but the approach is more flexible.

Do I need UK ENIC for work?

Not always. Some employers accept your original degree. But UK ENIC helps — the employer immediately sees the UK equivalent. For regulated professions (doctor, nurse, lawyer) you need separate registration with the professional body.

Will my degree from Central Asia be recognised?

Yes. UK ENIC has a database for all countries. A Kazakh bachelor degree usually equals a UK Bachelor. An Uzbek specialist diploma usually equals a UK Bachelor (Honours). The exact comparison depends on your university and graduation year.

📜 Apply to UK ENIC
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