- HEC has issued an advisory titled 'Verify Before You Apply' for prospective students nationwide.
- Degrees from unrecognised universities and campuses will not be accepted, the commission warned.
- Four official lists cover recognised universities, campuses, foreign-affiliated institutions and fake institutions.
- Students and parents are asked to check the lists on the HEC website before taking admission.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has told students across Pakistan to confirm that their chosen university or campus is officially recognised before they apply. The warning comes in its latest advisory, titled 'Verify Before You Apply'.
The commission says degrees issued by unrecognised universities and campuses will not be accepted. Students and parents have been asked to use the official lists on the HEC website before making any admission decision.
| List | What students can verify |
|---|---|
| Recognised universities | Whether a public or private university is recognised by HEC |
| Recognised campuses | Whether the specific campus where they plan to study is approved |
| Recognised foreign-affiliated institutions | Recognition status of institutions offering foreign degree programmes in Pakistan |
| Illegal and fake institutions | Whether an institution is listed as illegal, fake or unrecognised |
What the advisory says
HEC has warned that a qualification from an unrecognised university or campus will not be accepted.
To make the checking process easier, the commission has shared links to four official lists. Together they cover public and private universities, individual campuses, institutions offering foreign degree programmes in Pakistan, and institutions that HEC identifies as illegal or fake.
The four lists students can check
The first list covers HEC-recognised universities and degree-awarding institutions. Students can use it to confirm whether a public or private university of their choice is recognised.
The second list names recognised campuses of public and private institutions. HEC has issued it separately, so students should check the status of the particular campus where they plan to study.
The third list covers recognised foreign-affiliated, or transnational, educational institutions. Students considering foreign degree programmes offered in Pakistan can check an institution's recognition status there.
The fourth list names illegal, fake and unrecognised institutions operating in Pakistan.
Why the campus check matters
The advisory provides separate lists for universities and campuses, and students are told to check the status of the campus where they plan to study.
The commission's warning applies to both. Degrees from unrecognised universities and unrecognised campuses will not be accepted.
Advice for students and parents
HEC has addressed its advisory to parents as well as students. Both are urged to check the official lists on the commission's website before making any admission decisions.
The four lists cover the recognition status of universities, campuses and foreign-affiliated institutions, as well as institutions HEC has listed as illegal or fake.
Questions and answers
What is HEC's 'Verify Before You Apply' advisory?
It is a notice from the Higher Education Commission asking students and parents to check whether a university or campus is officially recognised before applying for admission.
Will degrees from unrecognised institutions be accepted?
No. HEC has warned that degrees from unrecognised universities and campuses will not be accepted.
Which lists can students check?
HEC has shared links to four lists: recognised universities, recognised campuses, recognised foreign-affiliated institutions, and illegal or fake institutions.
