How to Check if a University Is HEC-Recognised Before Taking Admission
Why it matters
- Only degrees from HEC-recognised universities and campuses can be attested by HEC
- Attestation is needed for government jobs, foreign study, and work visas
- Professional degrees also need council accreditation (PEC, PMDC, PBC, PCP and others)
Every year, students lose time and money by enrolling in institutes that are not recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), or in sub-campuses that were never approved. The good news is that checking takes only a few minutes.
Step 1: Check HEC’s official list
- Go to hec.gov.pk.
- Open the section for Recognised Universities / Degree Awarding Institutions.
- Find the university by province or sector (public or private).
- Confirm the exact name and city. Fake institutes often use names very similar to real universities.
Step 2: Check the campus, not just the university
A recognised university may run sub-campuses or affiliated colleges. Only approved campuses can issue valid degrees. HEC publishes lists of approved sub-campuses and has warned about unapproved ones. If you are joining a campus away from the main university, check that this specific campus is approved.
Step 3: Check programme accreditation
For professional degrees, HEC recognition alone is not enough. Check the relevant council:
| Degree | Accrediting council |
|---|---|
| Engineering (BE/BSc Eng) | Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) |
| MBBS / BDS | Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) |
| LLB | Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) |
| Pharm-D | Pharmacy Council of Pakistan |
| Nursing | Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council |
| Computing (BS CS/SE) | National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC) |
Councils also limit how many students a programme can admit each year. Ask the university for its accreditation letter for your intake year.
Warning signs of a fake or risky institute
- Promises of a degree in a few months with “no classes”
- Very low fees compared with recognised universities, with pressure to pay quickly
- No physical campus, or a campus in a small rented office
- Websites that list “international accreditation” from unknown bodies but say nothing about HEC
- Refusal to give a written fee structure or official prospectus
What about online and foreign degrees?
HEC has specific rules for distance and online programmes and for foreign degree equivalence. Only certain programmes from approved institutions are accepted. Check HEC’s equivalence and distance-learning policies before you enrol.
Frequently asked questions
Is AIOU recognised by HEC?
Yes. Allama Iqbal Open University is a public-sector university recognised by HEC. See our AIOU guides.
Can I get my degree attested if my campus was unapproved?
HEC generally does not attest degrees from unapproved campuses. Check before you enrol.
