UK ENIC: overseas qualification recognition
UK ENIC tells UK universities, employers, and regulators what level your overseas qualification maps to. A Statement of Comparability costs £69.60 and takes 15 working days. The standard CIS secondary certificate is rated at GCSE standard (Level 2); a Bachelor's degree maps to UK Bachelor's degree standard. (as of 2026-05-08)
What is UK ENIC?
Turnaround: 15 working days once you submit all documents and payment.
Website: enic.org.uk
Source: UK ENIC cost page, confirmed correct 2026-05-08.
When do you need a Statement of Comparability?
- Postgraduate applications where a 2:1 or above is required.
- RPL / APEL (credit transfer) applications at any UK university.
- ITT (Initial Teacher Training) bursary eligibility.
- Employers in regulated professions (medicine, architecture, law, engineering).
- Some universities also request it for direct undergraduate entry — check each institution's country page.
Per-country ENIC comparability guide (as of 2026-05-08)
Typical UK ENIC assessment for secondary school certificates and first degrees from 11 countries. Items marked with a note in the table require individual verification via a paid Statement of Comparability.
| Country | Secondary certificate | Typical UK ENIC banding (school) | Bachelor's / Specialist degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia / Россия | Attestat o Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii | GCSE standard | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Ukraine / Україна | Atestat pro Povnu Zagalnu Seredniu Osvitu | GCSE standard | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Belarus / Беларусь | Atestat ab agulnai syarednyai adukatsyi | GCSE standard | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Kazakhstan / Казахстан | Attestat ob obshchem srednem obrazovanii | GCSE standard | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Uzbekistan / Узбекистан | Attestat ob okonchanii srednei shkoly | GCSE standard (2017 reform — see note) | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Kyrgyzstan / Кыргызстан | Attestat | GCSE standard or below — depends on school. Individual Statement required. | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Tajikistan / Таджикистан | Attestat | GCSE standard or below — depends on school. Individual Statement required. | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Armenia / Армения | Mijnakarg Yndhanur Krtoutian Attestat | GCSE standard (12-year system — confirm via ENIC) | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Georgia / Грузия | Sashualo Skolis Atestati | GCSE standard | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Azerbaijan / Азербайджан | Orta Tahsil Haqqinda Shahadatname | GCSE standard | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
| Moldova / Молдова | Diploma de Bacalaureat (BAC) | Historically treated as A-Level by some universities. Verify via individual ENIC Statement ONLY. | = UK Bachelor's degree standard |
Notes on specific countries
After you receive your ENIC Statement
- ITT (Initial Teacher Training) bursary eligibility
- Postgraduate applications where a 2:1 or above is required
- RPL (credit transfer) applications at any university
Red flags
- Relying on uncertified translators — ENIC documents require notarised translations.
- Using a Statement issued for someone else's diploma (e.g. a sibling's certificate).
- Assuming your Soviet-era Specialist diploma automatically counts as a Master's — ENIC assesses it individually.
- Waiting until the last minute — 15 working days can stretch to three weeks including weekends.
Frequently asked questions
What is UK ENIC and why do I need a Statement of Comparability?
UK ENIC is the national agency for recognising overseas qualifications in the United Kingdom. A Statement of Comparability is an official document showing what UK qualification level your certificate is most similar to. Cost is £69.60 and turnaround is 15 working days.
Is a Statement of Comparability always required?
Not always, but it is strongly recommended. Universities will formally ask for it for RPL (credit transfer) applications, ITT (Initial Teacher Training) bursary eligibility, and postgraduate applications. For direct undergraduate entry via UCAS, check each university's requirements individually.
Why is a Russian Attestat rated as GCSE rather than A-level?
UK ENIC assesses qualifications based on curriculum content and examination format, not only years of study. The Russian and Ukrainian Attestat (11-year system) maps to GCSE standard (Level 2) rather than A-level (Level 3) by those criteria.
Is the Moldovan BAC equivalent to A-level?
Some UK universities have historically treated the Moldovan BAC as comparable to A-level standard, potentially allowing direct Year 1 entry without a foundation year. However, this cannot be confirmed from publicly accessible sources. Moldovan applicants must apply for an individual UK ENIC Statement of Comparability before relying on A-level equivalency claims.