Policy paper

Memorandum of understanding on mutual recognition of academic qualifications between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Published 21 July 2022

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

ON MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND^{[footnote 1]}

With the aim of strengthening relations between the higher education systems of the two countries, thus facilitating academic cooperation;

In order to establish effective mechanisms for the mutual recognition of qualifications awarded in the Republic of India and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

HAVING REGARD to the desirability of encouraging mobility of students from both countries by facilitating possibilities for them to continue their studies in the other country.

CONVINCED that mutual recognition of qualifications between the two countries shall promote continuing studies in the partner country, in addition to encouraging student mobility, would also promote excellence in higher education through cooperation, academic and research exchanges;

The Government of the Republic of India and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, hereinafter referred to as “THE PARTICIPANTS”,

HAVE ACCEPTED AS FOLLOWS:

PARAGRAPH 1: PURPOSE

1.1 With this MoU, the participants accept to mutually recognise educational qualifications and periods of study undertaken by students within duly approved and recognised higher education institutions in the two countries, as per the terms of this MoU.

PARAGRAPH 2: SCOPE

2.1 In the case of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the qualifications covered by this MoU are formal upper secondary qualifications that are typically used to access higher education in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (that sit at level 3 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland, level 3 of the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales and levels 6 and 7 of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) issued by organisations approved or recognised by The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) or Qualifications Wales and Bachelor, Master’s and Doctoral degrees awarded by Recognised Bodies, and those educational institutions for which the former Council for National Academic Awards was the degree awarding body between 1964 and 1993.

2.2 In the case of the Republic of India, the qualifications covered by this MoU are those that are typically used to access higher education in Indian Universities, i.e. the Senior Secondary School/Pre-University Certificates awarded/approved by Universities/School Boards and Bachelor, Master’s and Doctoral degrees as specified by the UGC under section 22 (3) of the UGC Act, 1956, when awarded by a university as per the UGC Act, 1956, Institutions of National Importance and non-university institutions that are recognised by the Government of India.

2.3 In the case of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, for the recognition of partial or incomplete studies from Indian institutions, decisions regarding recognition and credit transfer will be exclusively at the discretion of the admitting higher education institutions of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

2.4 In the case of the Republic of India, for the recognition of partial or incomplete studies from UK institutions, decisions regarding recognition and credit transfer will be exclusively at the discretion of the admitting higher education institutions of India, which will be coordinated by the Association of Indian Universities.

2.5 Professional degrees in the fields of Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Law, and Architecture are out of scope of this MoU.

2.6 Qualifications in the scope of this MoU as defined in paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 that are awarded by branch campuses will be recognised, providing the awarding institution has the right to operate in the country where it is based, and has been successfully quality assured. The qualifications awarded through other transnational education arrangements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the organisations referenced in paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4.

2.7 Qualifications in the scope of this MoU as defined in paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 that are delivered partially online and those delivered online due to force majeure will be recognized under the MoU provided the awarding institution has the right to operate in the country where it is based, and has been successfully quality assured. The qualifications intended to be delivered fully online will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the organisations referenced in paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4.

PARAGRAPH 3: EFFECT OF RECOGNITION

3.1 UK formal qualifications that meet the general entrance requirements of UK higher education institutions, as defined in paragraph 2.1, will also be considered suitable for entry into Indian higher education institutions, subject to specific institution or programme criteria. On a reciprocal basis, Indian Senior Secondary School/Pre-University Certificates, as defined in paragraph 2.2,will be considered suitable for entry into UK higher education institutions, subject to specific institution or programme criteria.

3.2 The Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctoral degree awarded in the Republic of India that complies with paragraph 2.2 will be considered equivalent or comparable to the Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctoral degree respectively awarded in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as in paragraph 2.1. On a reciprocal basis, the Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctoral degree awarded in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that complies with paragraph 2.1 will be considered equivalent or comparable to the Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctoral degree respectively awarded in the Republic of India as in paragraph 2.2.

3.3 In the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, confirmation of the effects of recognition described in paragraph 3.1 - 3.2 can be obtained by contacting UK ENIC.

3.4 In the Republic of India, confirmation of the effects of recognition and equivalence described in paragraph 3.1 - 3.2 can be obtained from Association of Indian Universities.

3.5 Recognition of qualifications under this MoU will have the effects granted by each participant to its own degrees, subject to the applicable legislation.

3.6 For qualifications not covered by this MoU in accordance with paragraph 2.1 and 2.2, the process for recognition will be conducted on the basis of the regulations in force in each country.

PARAGRAPH 4: IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

4.1 A periodic review process for the monitoring of the application of this MoU will be carried out by the participants. The general provisions relating to the periodicity, place and form of meetings will be determined jointly by the participants.

4.2 The participants will mutually consult each other periodically to keep each other informed about the functioning and developments of the respective higher education system.

4.3 For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, UK ENIC as appointed by the Department for Education will be responsible for implementation and monitoring of this MoU and addressing any other issues that may arise.

4.4 For the Republic of India, the Association of Indian Universities will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the MoU and addressing any other issues that may arise.

PARAGRAPH 5: SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

5.1 Any dispute relating to the interpretation or implementation of this MoU will be settled amicably by consultation or negotiation between the participants directly, acting in good faith.

PARAGRAPH 6: COMING INTO EFFECT AND AMENDMENT

6.1 This MoU will come into effect on the date of its signing.

6.2 This MoU may be amended by mutual consent of the participants through the exchange of diplomatic notes. Such amendments will come into operation on the date specified in the diplomatic notes.

PARAGRAPH 7: VALIDITY AND TERMINATION

7.1 This MoU will be valid for a period of five years and will automatically renew for subsequent periods of five years ad infinitum unless terminated by either of the participants.

7.2 This MoU may be terminated by either of the participants by means of a written notice indicating such intention. Such termination will be effective within one year after the date of receipt of such notice by the other participant.

7.3 Discontinuation of this MoU will not affect the equivalency issued under the period of its validity.

The foregoing record represents the understandings reached between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of India upon the matters referred to therein.

Signed in duplicate at ……………………. on ……………….. in English and Hindi languages, both texts having equal validity.

FOR THE _____ OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

FOR GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

1. Considering that, in the case of the United Kingdom, education is a devolved matter, the devolved administrations have been consulted and they are content with the provisions of this memorandum of understanding. ↩