UAE MoHESR Institutional License
The Commission for Academic Accreditation and Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Heriot-Watt University Dubai has been granted Initial Institutional Licensure by the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), which recognises the high quality of our academic provision. Being granted the License means that our campus is federally recognised.
All undergraduate and postgraduate programmes being recruited to (as detailed on HWUD’s website) are now accredited.
A small number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are currently on Teach-Out (being withdrawn from the University) and these have not been accredited by the CAA.
As a long-standing campus in UAE (19 years and counting), we are delighted to be working with the CAA to support the country’s mission to become an international educational hub. The globally-connected nature of Heriot-Watt University fits squarely with this vision of the future and we look forward to using these synergies to further develop and expand our horizons.
Heriot-Watt University Dubai, located in the Emirate of Dubai, is officially Licensed until 5th July 2026 by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHSER) through the Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the United Arab Emirates to award degrees/qualifications in higher education.
What this means for you
Working for government
Our degree certificates can be attested by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, enabling graduates to work in government and government-related sectors across the Gulf and wider MENA region.
Entry Requirements
Our entry requirements are in line with UK requirements, so you can be assured that the quality of what we offer is extremely high.
Heriot-Watt University Dubai is proud to be awarded this License by the Commission for Academic Accreditation. It is an important acknowledgement of the high quality and standards of teaching and learning that the University has upheld in Dubai for the last sixteen years. It is also an indication of things to come, as our community continues to expand and evolve. Heriot-Watt University prides itself on being a globally-connected university that offers an identical learning experience to students studying on all of its five campuses. It is gratifying to receive the CAA’s commendation for our unique approach and for them to praise the benefits that it has for the student learning experience.
Understanding the terminology
Some of the terms used by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research are sometimes used interchangeably in the Higher Education sector. To make the process clearer, here is a simple guide to what each term means and when it applies. These definitions reflect the terminology used by the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR).
MoE (UAE Ministry of Education)
The Ministry responsible for:
- High-school certificate attestation
- High-school equivalency
- Oversight of school-level qualifications
- General education policy
If you studied at school level and are applying for an Undergraduate prorgamme, the MoE governs your recognition process.
MoHESR (Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research)
The Ministry responsible for:
- Recognition of university degrees completed outside the UAE
- Oversight of higher-education quality and systems
- Managing the University Certificates Recognition system
If you are applying for a Master’s, PhD, or DBA, the recognition requirement is typically issued through MoHESR.
CAA (Commission for Academic Accreditation)
The federal body that licenses and accredits higher-education institutions and programmes in the UAE.
Why it matters: Studying at a CAA-licensed university (such as Heriot-Watt University Dubai) ensures your degree is federally recognised.
For students: If your Bachelor’s degree was earned at a CAA-licensed university inside the UAE, you usually do not need to complete recognition again.
MoFA (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The authority that verifies the authenticity of documents (specifically high school transcripts) that have already been attested abroad. MoFA attestation is usually the final stamp needed before applying for high school equivalency.
Attestation
Attestation is the process of confirming that your academic documents are genuine. It involves getting your certificates and transcripts stamped by the relevant authorities in the country where you studied, followed by attestation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
Purpose: To verify that your documents are authentic and were issued by a recognised school and board.
Applies to: Students who completed schooling outside the UAE.
Equivalency
Equivalency is the formal recognition that a high school qualification completed outside the UAE is equivalent to the UAE’s General Education standards.
Purpose: To ensure that your high school qualification meets the level required for admission into undergraduate study in the UAE.
Applies to: Private secondary school qualifications in the UAE and abroad, this is overseen only by the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE).
Recognition (University Certificates Recognition System – MoHESR)
Recognition is the process used by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) to approve university degrees completed outside the UAE. It replaces the previous “University Qualification Equivalency” system for higher-education degrees.
Why this matters: Recognition confirms that your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree comes from a reputable, appropriately ranked institution and is acceptable for postgraduate study or employment in the UAE.
How it works: The system has two stages:
- Verification of the degree with one of the Ministry’s authorised partners.
- Application for recognition through MoHESR once verification is complete.
Key features of the new system:
- Recognition now depends mainly on the global ranking of the degree-issuing university.
- Degrees from universities ranked 1–200 require only verification, no other conditions.
- Physical presence requirements and fixed credit transfer percentages are no longer needed.
- Distance-learning and eLearning degrees are recognised, except for specialised fields (engineering, medicine, law, etc.), which follow separate requirements.
Purpose: To make the recognition process clearer, more flexible, and more accessible for students and professionals coming to the UAE.