What Does the New Qualification Agreement Between the UK and India Mean for Students?

Under a new memorandum of understanding between the UK and India, qualifications that are required to access higher education at Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral level will be recognised as carrying equal weight.

This is great news as both destinations welcome each other’s students. In 2020-21 the UK saw more than 84,000 Indian students study at its universities. Plus India always proves a popular destination for UK study abroad students as part of the Turing Scheme.

So what does this mean?

It means that British A-levels and equivalent courses, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees will be recognised in India, and vice versa. As a UK graduate, it will now be easier for you to apply for postgraduate study in India, and the same can be said for Indian graduates with the UK. It also means graduates will have equal access to the job markets in both countries.

What is a memorandum of understanding?

A memorandum of understanding is a legal document which describes the terms of an arrangement between the parties. In this instance that’s the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

What qualifications will India recognise from the UK?

According to the memorandum, the qualifications covered from the UK are:

• Upper secondary qualifications (A-levels or equivalent)
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Doctoral degrees

What qualifications will the UK recognise from India?

According to the memorandum, the qualifications covered from India are:

• The Senior Secondary School/Pre-University Certificates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Doctoral degrees

Are there any degrees that aren’t recognised?

For now, professional degrees in Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Law, and Architecture are out of scope, but this could potentially change in the future.

So if you’re a prospective UK or Indian student, what does this mean for you?

#1 It will now be even easier to study in either country

Whether you’re an Indian student looking to study in the UK, or a UK student looking to study in India, this recognition of qualifications means it’s easier to apply for postgraduate study (whether that’s a Masters or PhD). It gives you options if you wanted to study a Masters in the UK for example, and then continue into Doctoral training in India or vice versa.

#2 You can apply for more jobs

Because Masters and Doctoral degrees will be recognised as equal across both countries, graduates will receive formal recognition of their achievements and therefore full access to jobs in India and the UK.

#3 More opportunities for collaborative projects

The agreement has the potential to increase dual and joint degrees between UK and Indian universities, giving you more options with where and what to study.

This really is a landmark agreement, so whether you’re from the UK or India, be confident in exploring your study abroad options and pack those bags!

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