What HEC recognition of a foreign university really means
We found no list from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of approved foreign universities, and a list is only HEC's if you can open it on hec.gov.pk yourself. Equivalence is a decision about your own degree, and no agent can promise it in advance. First check that the institution is recognised in its own country and listed in the World Higher Education Database, then ask HEC about your degree in writing before you pay.
What we could and could not check
Many students search for 'HEC recognised foreign universities list'. We found no list like that published by HEC. We also could not open HEC's own web pages when we prepared this guide on 13 October 2026, so we do not describe HEC's equivalence rules in detail here.
Read the current rules on HEC's own website, and ask HEC directly. Rules can change, and an agent's summary may be out of date.
HEC has a page of guidance on degrees from foreign institutions. The link is under Sources, and the page may not open outside Pakistan. HEC may also publish other lists, for example of transnational education arrangements, so check any list on hec.gov.pk itself.
Step 1: is the institution recognised in its own country?
Start with the country where the institution is. Find the official education authority or regulator of that country, open its own website, and look for the institution. For the UK and Australia, the Institution check in this app searches the official registers for student visas.
Step 2: the World Higher Education Database
The World Higher Education Database (WHED) is run by the International Association of Universities in collaboration with UNESCO. It gives information on accredited or recognised higher education institutions that meet its criteria, around 21,000 of them. An institution must be recognised and referenced by its national competent body to be listed.
A WHED listing is useful, but it is not an HEC decision. It does not tell you what HEC will decide about your degree.
Step 3: ask HEC about your own degree
- Open HEC's website by typing its address, and find the pages for equivalence of foreign degrees.
- Write to HEC using the contact details on its own website. Name the institution, the degree, the country and how you plan to study.
- Keep HEC's reply. Do not pay a large deposit to a foreign institution until you have it.
- Be careful with anyone who says they can 'arrange' HEC recognition for a fee.
Why real documents matter
In May 2023 HEC cancelled the equivalence of a foreign degree after the foreign university told HEC that the documents had not been issued by it. HEC acted under a clause in the applicant's affidavit.
The lesson is simple. Use only documents your institution itself issued to you, and never submit a document that someone else prepared for you.
Questions people ask
Does HEC publish a list of recognised foreign universities?
We found no such list from HEC. If you are shown any list, open it on hec.gov.pk yourself. Check that the institution is recognised in its own country, check WHED, and then ask HEC about your own degree in writing.
Does a WHED listing mean HEC will give equivalence?
No. WHED lists institutions recognised in their own country. HEC makes its own decision about your degree.
Sources
Official and institution sources
- WHED Portal: World Higher Education Database (Internet Archive copy, 8 October 2026) (International Association of Universities (IAU), in collaboration with UNESCO)
- HEC guidance on degrees from foreign institutions (the page may not open outside Pakistan) (Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan)
- HEC cancels foreign degree equivalence (26 May 2023, Internet Archive copy) (Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan)
Facts checked on