Oveseas Voc and Higher Ed Quals - Second Edition 2009

A Guide for TAFE NSW Staff
RECOGNITION OF OVERSEAS VOCATIONAL

AND HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
IN TAFE NSW
Second Edition
April 2009
About this guide

The increased focus of Australian immigration
policy on skill migration has resulted in a significant
increase in the number of permanent and temporary
skilled entrants to Australia seeking recognition of
overseas skills and qualifications. More recently the
Commonwealth of Australian Governments (COAG)
announced that a new offshore skills assessment
service providing a single assessment for both visa
and licensing purposes for skilled migrants would
commence from 1 July 2007 for key trades in major
source countries.
The AQF equivalents of overseas qualifications

provided in this guide form part of the evidence
required by TAFE NSW assessors to make an
assessment decision for:
the provision of advanced standing, or
determining whether applicants meet course
entry requirements for admission to TAFE NSW
courses, or
trade recognition
TAFE NSW has supported this policy focus by

implementing a number of initiatives designed to
streamline the recognition of overseas skills and
qualifications including the development of the
guide Recognition of Overseas Vocational and
Higher Education Qualifications in TAFE NSW.
This guide supports staff in conducting
assessments of overseas skills and qualifications
by providing:
Enquiries regarding this publication should be

directed to:
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

equivalents of overseas vocational and higher
education qualifications, including trade
qualifications
TAFE NSW
Pre-requisites to each qualification
Ph: 02 9244 5308
Information to support the identification of

fraudulent documents
Background information on the education and
training system of the countries included in the
guide.
Level 16, 1 Oxford Street

DARLINGHURST NSW 2010
2009 TAFE NSW,

NSW Department of Education and Training
In consultation with UK NARIC (National
Recognition Information Centre), a member of the
European Union NARIC Network.
ISBN 978-0-646-47366-6
First Published 2007
Recognition of Overseas Vocational and Higher Education Qualifications A Guide for TAFE NSW Staff
TAFE NSW
For all countries

1. Identifying genuine and
fraudulent documents
years of study, mode of study (P/T, F/T, by

distance) subjects/modules studied and
results
Department of Immigration and Citizenship

(DIAC) www.immi.gov.au/amep/client/pubs/
where_amep/english.pdf
related work experience
DIAC translations are free of charge for certain

Australian residents and include an extract or
summary translation of no more than 100 words.
The CRC translation service is fee payable and
provides complete translations of overseas
qualification documents.
Each country includes useful information about the

identification of genuine and fraudulent documents.
Documents that do not conform to the features
specified in each country can be checked by the
TAFE NSW Multicultural Education Unit, telephone
02 92445308.
Details provided in statutory declarations should

to be confirmed by referring to available resources
or by contacting the TAFE NSW Multicultural
Education Unit, telephone: 02 92445308.
2. Statutory declarations
3. Challenge tests
TAFE NSW accepts statutory declarations in the

absence of documentation when for a valid reason
the student/applicant is not able to produce
evidence of their qualifications.
Where the student has applied for advanced

standing a challenge test may be administered by
the course head teacher/nominated assessor or
verifier to establish if the student has the necessary
knowledge and skills that match the competencies
required to complete a module or unit. Assessors
administering challenge tests should refer to
Student Assessment Policy TAFE NSW to ensure
that assessments conducted are valid, reliable,
consistent and fair.
TAFE NSW staff need to:

Determine the reasons for absence of
documentation
Ensure the student/applicant provides in the
statutory declaration detailed information to
support their claim, including:
family name, first given name, other given
names, date of birth, year of arrival in
Australia,
4. Translations
Translation of documents in NSW can be requested
from:
student number, TAFE course name and

number where applicable
Community Relations Commission for a

multicultural NSW (CRC)
title of the overseas qualification (s),

the name of the educational institution,
country of issue and the highest level of
qualifications achieved
qualification entry requirements
Telephone 131 651 500, www.crc.nsw.gov.au/

interpreting/index, or
National Accreditation Authority for Translators

(NAATI) Directory www.naati.com.au or
telephone 1300 557 470, or
year the qualification was awarded
TAFE NSW
5. Assistance
Assistance with recognition of overseas
qualifications and skills is available through the
Institute Multicultural Education Co-ordinator or
other Institute designated officer. In dealing with
more complicated matters staff may contact
Social Inclusion and Vocational Access Unit of TAFE
NSW, phone: 02 9217 4996.
The guide Recognition of Overseas Vocational and
Higher Education Qualifications for Admission to
and for Advanced Standing in TAFE NSW Courses
(2nd edition) must be read in conjunction with
the Recognition of Overseas Secondary School
Qualifications for Admission to TAFE NSW Courses
(7th edition. This guide provides the AQF equivalent
to secondary school qualifications obtained in
overseas countries.Both guides are for TAFE NSW
use only.
Countries
AFGHANISTAN
LEBANON
BANGLADESH
MALAYSIA
CANADA
NETHERLANDS
CHILE
NEW ZEALAND
CHINA (Mainland)
PAKISTAN
EGYPT
PHILIPPINES
FIJI
RUSSIAN FEDERATON
GERMANY
SINGAPORE
Hong Kong (Special Administrative

Region of the Peoples Republic of China)
SOUTH AFRICA
INDIA
INDONESIA
IRAN
IRAQ
IRELAND
JAPAN
KOREA (Replublic of)
TAFE NSW
SRI LANKA
THAILAND
UNITED KINGDOM
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
VIETNAM
ZIMBABWE
Afghanistan
Language of
instruction
Pashto
Dari
English
Pre-Requisites
Education Level Completed
Years of Study
Qualification awarded
AQF Equivalent (in broad

terms) for TAFE NSW study
Technical and Vocational Education

Middle School ........
(Grade 7-9)
(Maktabeh
Motevaseteh)
Secondary level
Vocational Secondary High School (Doreyeh Aali) ...........
3 years........................ Vocational/Technical ...........

Baccalauria
AQF Certificate II
Trades
Completion of ........
Grade 7
Trade Training courses .............................................

(eg Plumbing, Mechanics)
3 years........................ Craft Certificate .................. Below AQF Certificate I
Teacher Education
Baccalauria ...........
Teachers (Primary)
Teacher Training Institutions ......................................
Teachers (Secondary Middle School)

Higher Teacher Training College .................................
Teachers (High School)

Universities .............................................................
2 years........................ Teachers College Certificate
AQF Certificate II
2 years........................ Higher Teachers College ....... AQF Certificate III

Certificate
4 years........................ Bachelor of Education........... Australian Bachelor Degree
Higher Education
Baccalauria and ......
an entrance exam
(Concours)
Baccalauria and .....
an entrance exam
(Concours)
Kabul Polytechnic ....................................................
5 years........................ Bachelor of Science ............. Australian Bachelor Degree

(Engineering)
Universities (6) ........................................................
4 years........................ Bachelor Degree .................. Australian Bachelor Degree

(or Licence)
5 years........................ Engineering & Veterinary ....... Australian Bachelor Degree
Medicine Degrees
7 years........................ Medicine Degree ................. Australian Bachelor Degree
TAFE NSW Multicultural Education Unit
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan
Language of
instruction
Pashto
Dari
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Higher Education
Bachelor and an .....
entrance exam
Universities ............................................................
2 years........................ Masters Degree............... Australian Bachelor Degree
Masters Degree .....
.............................................................................
3 years.......................
Doctorate (Doctori)........... Assessed individually
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan
Languages
Documents are issued in Pashto, Dari and English.
Documents always include a photograph of the

student which is stamped in the top left hand
corner by the Ministry of Education
The certificate is split into 2 sections in the

top half is the certificate with the students
personal details, dates of study and name
of school; in the bottom half is a transcript
detailing the students marks in 10th, 11th and
12th grades
Accreditation Information
At primary and secondary levels education is

overseen by the Ministry of Education
Tertiary education is now overseen by the

Ministry of Higher Education. This was formerly
known as the Ministry of Higher and Vocational
Education
Notes on degree format and

requesting verification
Documents from the post-1995 era are

extremely rare due to the social and political
disruption during this period. Many Afghanis
who gained qualifications during this period did
so in Pakistan or Iran rather than in Afghanistan
Awards received generally date from 1970s
and 1980s. The vast majority of degree level
documents received are issued by Kabul
University
Documents include 3 signatures (the President

of Secondary Education, the Director General
of Secondary Education and the Principal of
the school). Each signature is stamped by the
Ministry of Education (circular stamp for the
first two, triangular stamp for the Principals
signature)
Tertiary level awards follow a general format,
although there are differences between different
institutions:
Tertiary level awards are issued in Pashto and

English, with English on the left and Pashto on
the right (recent documents may be written in
Dari and English, as this is the main language
used on the new Afghan government websites)
A photograph of the student is always included.

University of Kabul places this in the bottom
right hand corner of the Pashto section. Other
universities follow the format of the Secondary
Baccalaureate and place the photograph in the
top left hand corner of the document
University of Kabul documents are in landscape

format and fold over like a booklet. On the
front cover of the booklet is the title (in Pashto)
Ministry of Higher Education. Below this is the
Secondary level awards follow a standard format:
Documents are issued in English
They are headed by the symbol of the Ministry

of Education (see below)
crest of the Ministry of Higher Education, and

below this is the title Diploma (in Pashto). On
the back cover are details of the dates of study
and 2 stamped signatures from the University
and the Faculty of study
Both the English and the Pashto on University

of Kabul documents are written in a decorative
style. Other universities use printed forms of
both languages
Documents from the 1980s and early 1990s

variously refer to the country name as The
Republic of Afghanistan and The Democratic
Republic of Afghanistan
Fraud Risk Assessment and

advice
The turbulent recent history of Afghanistan has
had a detrimental effect on its education system.
The warfare of the 1980s and 1990s destroyed the
majority of schools and led many teachers and
professors to leave the country. Awards from 1995
to 2001 are therefore rare, and non-existent in the
case of female students. Awards presented from
this period should be examined with care.
Due to its extreme poverty and instability,
Afghanistan has not witnessed the same growth
in fraudulent private/online universities as other
countries in the region. However, the lawless
situation prevalent in Afghanistan over the past 3
decades has presented opportunities for the faking
of national qualifications. As documents generally
follow a standard format, deviations from this
format should therefore be viewed with suspicion.
AFGHANISTAN
Bangladesh
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Bangla
English
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Responsibility of the Bangladesh Technical Education
Board (BTEB)
Junior secondary ....
(Grades VI-VIII)
Secondary School...
Certificate (SSC Voc)
same stream of
study
Secondary School ...
Certificate (SSC)
Secondary level
Secondary schools, Vocational Training Institutes, ........
Technical Training Centres
2 years ........................
Secondary School ........... Below NSW Year 10 Certificate

Certificate -SSC (Voc)
Vocational Training Institutes .....................................
2 years ........................
Higher Secondary ........... NSW Higher School Certificate

Certificate - HSC (Voc)
or NSS 1
Post Secondary level

Vocational courses ...................................................
Polytechnic Institutes
4 years ........................
Diploma (eg. Architectural AQF Certificate IV

Technology, Electronics)
As above ...............
Health programmes .................................................

Paramedical Institutes
3 years ........................
Diploma (eg Health ......... AQF Diploma

Technology, Radiography)
As above ...............
Nursing & midwifery ................................................

School of Nursing
4 years (3 years nursing

& 1 year midwifery) .......
Diploma in Nursing ......... AQF Diploma
As above ...............
Homeopathic Medical Colleges ..................................
4 years ........................
Diploma in Homeopathic.. AQF Diploma

Medicine and Surgery
Vocational education integrates general education and

vocational skill content as in Secondary level above.
2 years. Complete 18 .....

credit practicals at the
required level which are
based on competency.
1 credit is 50 minutes
duration. (8 weeks on the
job training in one year)
National Skills Standards.. AQF Certificate I

(NSS) 3 Basic Skill level
As above ...............
.............................................................................
As above .....................

Certificate (SSC Voc)
.............................................................................
As above ...................
National Skills Standards.. AQF Certificate I

(NSS) 2
National Skills Standards.. AQF Certificate II
(NSS) 1 equivalent to
completion of Grade XI & XII
Junior Secondary ...
Trades
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh
Language of
instruction
Bangla
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Teacher Education
Teachers (Primary)
Secondary School ... Primary Training Institutions (PTIs) .................................. 1 year .......................... Certificate in Education ... AQF Certificate II
Certificate (SSC)
1 year .......................... Higher Certificate of ...... AQF Certificate IV
Education
Teachers (Secondary)
Higher Secondary ... Teacher Training Colleges (TTC), Institute of Education,....... 4 years ........................ Bachelor of Education ..... AQF Certificate IV
Certificate (HSC)
University, Open University
Bachelor 2 years ....
.................................................................................. 1 year .......................... Bachelor of Education ..... Australian Associate Degree
Honours or Bachelor
3 - 4 years
.................................................................................. 1 year .......................... .................................... Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor of ...........
Education
.................................................................................. 1 year .......................... Master of Education......... Australian Masters Degree
Teachers (Physical Education)

Higher Secondary ... Two Physical Education Colleges in Dhaka and Rajshashi
Certificate (HSC)
1 year .......................... Junior Diploma in ........... AQF Certificate II

Physical Education
Honours or Bachelor
3 - 4 years
1 year .......................... Bachelor of Physical ...... Australian Bachelor Degree

Education
Teachers (Technical)
Higher Secondary .. Technical Teachers Training College in Dhaka ................... 1 year .......................... Diploma ........................ AQF Certificate III
Certificate (HSC)
in Technical Education
Honours or Bachelor
3 - 4 years
................................................................................. 2 years ........................
Bachelor Education ......... Australian Bachelor Degree

(Technology)
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh
Language of
instruction
Bangla
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Higher Education
Higher Secondary
Certificate + in
some cases an
entrance exam
Private University rated Good .....................................
3-4 years .....................
Bachelor Degree ............ Australian Bachelor Degree
As above ...............
Public and Private Universities ...................................
2 years ........................
Bachelor of Arts, Science

and Commerce (Pass)
(prior 2002)
AQF Diploma
As above ...............
............................................................................
3 years ........................
Bachelor of Arts, Science

and Commerce (Pass)
(post 2002)
Australian Associate Degree
As above ...............
............................................................................
3 years ........................
Bachelor of Arts, Science Australian Associate Degree

and Commerce (Honours)
(prior 2002)
As above ...............
............................................................................
4 years ........................
Bachelor of Arts, Science Australian Bachelor Degree

.and Commerce (Honours)
(post 2002)
Higher Secondary....
Certificate +
entrance exam
for 4 year course
/A first degree
(honours) for the 2
year course
Dhaka, Rajshashi and Chittagong Universities ..............

and 32 affiliated law colleges
2 or 4 years ..................
(see entry requirements)
Bachelor of Law (LLB) ..... Australian Bachelor Degree

(Honours)
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh
Language of
instruction
Bangla
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Higher Education
Higher Secondary.... Public and Private Universities ..................................
Certificate + entrance
exam for 4 year
course / A first
degree (honours) for
the 2 year course
2 or 4 years see entry

requirements
Bachelor of Science ........ Australian Associate Degree

(in professional subjects)
Bachelor of Science ........ Australian Bachelor Degree
in Architecture or
Engineering
Bachelor of Science ........ Australian Bachelor Degree
in Architecture of
Engineering (from BUET)
Bachelor Degree .....

(Pass/Honours)
............................................................................
2 years/1 year ..............
Master of Arts, Science ... Australian Bachelor Degree

or Commerce
Master/Master of
Philosophy
............................................................................
2 years/1 year ..............
Master of Engineering ..... Australian Postgraduate

and Master of Science
Diploma
(Engineering)
Master of Law (LLM) ....... Australian Postgraduate
Diploma
............................................................................
3 years .......................
PhD ............................. Australian Masters Degree
Islamic education
Higher Secondary ..... Universities ............................................................
Certificate
2 years .......................
Fazil (equiv. Bachelor ...... AQF Diploma

Pass Degree)
(plan for future, not yet
implemented).
............................................................................
2 years ........................
Kamil ........................... Australian Bachelor Degree

(equiv. Masters Degree)
(plan for future, not yet
implemented).
Master/Master of .....
Philosophy
Fazil ......................
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh
Languages
Documents are written in English.
To advise the Government on the establishment

of new Universities or of proposals for the
expansion of existing Universities
To advise the Government on proposals to grant

the right to confer special degree awarding
status on colleges which may be considered
suitable for such status
Secondary education is overseen by one of nine
boards of intermediate and secondary education:
7 Boards of Intermediate and Secondary

Education (Dhaka, Comilla, Rajshahi, Jessore,
Chittagong, Barisal and Sylhet)
1 Madrasah Education Board
1 Technical Education Board
These boards are responsible for the accreditation

of non-government secondary education institutes,
quality assurance and public examinations.
Tertiary education is overseen by the University
Grants Commission (UGC). The responsibilities of
the UGC are as follows:
To assess the needs in the field of University

education and formulate plans for the
development of such education
To determine the financial needs of Universities
To receive, allocate and disburse funds from

the Government to Universities for their
maintenance and development
To evaluate the programme for the development

of Universitys, teaching departments, institutes
and other constituent institutions
To examine all University development plans
To collect statistical and other information on

university matters
To exercise such other powers and perform

such other functions as may be conferred on it
by any law or by the Government.

Secondary and higher secondary level documents
generally follow a standard format:
The documents are in landscape format and are

issued in English
The name of the Board of Education is across

the top, with the Boards symbol printed
underneath. In many cases this logo includes
Bengali, which is the only Bengali included on
the certificate
In the top-left below the Board of Education is

a serial number for the certificate, and in the
top right there is a unique student registration
number. The date is also included alongside the
registration number
Below this is the name of the qualification

(Secondary Certificate or Higher Secondary
Certificate). The date is also repeated at this
point
The main part of the document is a table

containing the students personal details, details
of his/her school and details of the overall result
obtained. The details in the table are generally
filled in by hand and written in a decorative
script
Below the table, the signature of the controller

of examinations is included, and the date is
repeated.
Tertiary level documents do not follow a standard

format. Many still include handwritten sections,
though increasingly documentation is being printed.
Few universities have adopted modern security
features, however.

advice
Bangladesh is one of the poorest and most
densely populated countries in the world. As
such, competition for places at higher education
institutions is fierce, and many students resort to
illegal means in order to appear well qualified. In
a recent operation, police in western Bangladesh
recovered a large number of fake certificate making
materials including four photo printers and fake
documents.
Unlike India and Pakistan, the University Grants
Commission of Bangladesh does not maintain
a list of fraudulent or failing institutions, and
as such some of these institutions have been
able to operate within Bangladesh. The most
notable instance of this kind of activity was the
establishment of a fake university in Dhaka.
Hundreds of degrees were issued before the fraud
was detected.
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh
Example of Secondary School Certificate
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh
Example of Higher Secondary Certificate
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh
Example of Provisional Degree Certificate
BANGLADESH
Canada
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

English
Secondary ..............
School Diplomas
(completion of
Grades 9 or 10)
Secondary level
Schools (Vocational/industrial,
commercial courses) prepare students for employment
or further training.
23 years..................
High School Graduation

Diploma/Certificate............... NSW High School Certificate
Attestation de Formation
Professionelle ..................... AQF Certificate I
Diplome DEtudes
Professionelles (DEP)............ AQF Certificate III
Attestation dEtudes
Collegiates .......................... AQF Certificate IV
Attestation de Specialisation
Professionelle ..................... AQF Certificate IV
Grade 12 ................
qualifications
However there is
flexibility, more
specifically when
the applicant is of
mature age and can
demonstrate relevant
skills
Post-Secondary Level
Colleges, Community Colleges, CEGEPS (Quebec),
Technical Centres, Vocational Colleges, Police Colleges,
Military Colleges
13 years .................... Certificate (1 year)................ AQF Certificate III

Technicians Certificate ......... AQF Certificate IV
3 years .......................
Diploma ............................. AQF Diploma

Diploma of Technology ......... AQF Advanced Diploma
Diplome DEtudes Collegiales... AQF Certificate IV
(technical subjects)
TAFE NSW
CANADA
Canada
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Trades
English
Grade 10 or 11 ........
Technical Colleges, Community Colleges, Vocational

Colleges/Centres, trade schools prepare students for
employment in the trades.
1 year .......................... Journeyman Certificate ......... AQF Certificate IV

National Red Seal
Apprenticeships offer a combination of on-the-job

training with classroom attendance.
Journeyman Certificate .......... AQF Certificate IV

/Apprenticeship Regional
Teacher Education
Grade 12 ................
graduation Diplome
dEtudes Collegiales
DEC (Quebec)
Faculties of Education ..................................................
3 years ........................
Bachelor of Arts or
Science +one year
professional program in
teacher training, or
Bachelor of Education ....
4 years
Bachelor Degree .................... Australian Bachelor Degree

Baccalaure
Bachelier
.............................................. Australian Bachelor Degree
Higher Education
Grade 12 .................. Universities, institutes or schools affiliated to universities,
graduation
community colleges, Colleges of Applied Science and
Diplome dEtudes
Technology (CASTs)
Collegiales DEC
(Quebec)
34 years ..................... Bachelor (Pass or general) ...... Australian Bachelor Degree
2 years completion..............................................................................................
of a Bachelor Degree
3 or more years ............ Professional Degree ............... Australian Bachelor Degree

in a professional area
(e.g engineering)
Bachelor Degree ......... .......................................................................................
1 year .......................... Postgraduate Diploma ............ Postgraduate Diploma
.......................................................................................
Masters Degree .......... .......................................................................................
TAFE NSW
45 years ..................... Bachelor (Honours) ................. Australian Bachelor Degree
2 years .......................... Masters, Maitrise, Maitre ........ Masters

3 years .......................... Doctor of Philosophy .............. Doctorate
CANADA
Canada
Languages
Documents are issued in English, French and Latin.
The Territory of Nunavut awards certificates and
diplomas in Inuktitut (degrees are not offered in the
territory). Diplomas and Certificates are bilingual
(English and Inuktitut), however the name of the
individual and the title of the programme appearing
on the certificate or diploma are in English only.
There are also two institutions in the Province of
Nova Scotia that issue certificates to Mikmaq
students in their language (Mikmaq).
Accreditation of tertiary education is the
responsibility of provincial and territorial
governments. Each province and territory has laws,
policies, and procedures that govern the operation
of tertiary institutions. Each province or territory has
their own quality assurance system in place.
The use of titles such as university or university
college by educational institutions may be restricted
in different provinces, although this is not the case
in every jurisdiction. The power to establish tertiary
institutions is mostly the responsibility of state
legislators. Recognised institutions in Canada do,
however have the ability to set up agreements with
non-recognised providers for the purposes of credit
transfer or programme accreditation.
There are several agencies that assist with quality

assurance in Canadian tertiary institutions:
The Association of Universities and Colleges of
Canada (AUCC) does not have an accreditation
role but funds several quality-assurance-related
activities. A university or degree-granting college
can only be admitted to AUCC if it is a degreegranting institution through legislative authority; its
primary mission must be the provision of university
degree programs and must satisfy AUCC, after
receiving a report by an AUCC-appointed visiting
committee, that it is providing education of a
university standard.
The Association of Canadian Community Colleges
(ACCC) is a national organisation which supports
the maintenance of high-quality programming in
colleges. The ACCC requires that members deliver
post-secondary programs that meet the academic
standards for diploma and certificate qualifications
set out by the appropriate jurisdictional authorities,
operate as an integral part of a provincial or
territorial governments educational activities and
that are funded primarily through that government.

There is no standardisation in Canadian degree
formats. Formal requests for validation should
be made to the universities directly. As with the
United States, many institutions will send sealed
transcripts in tamper proof envelopes directly to
organisations requesting verification.

advice
The fake degree market exists in Canada as in the
United States. Reports do, however, suggest that
it is less of an issue at present. There are a number
of degree mills in Canada, although there are fewer
opportunities for fake institutions to operate legally
than over the border in the US.
The Association of Accrediting Agencies of Canada

(AAAC) is a national organisation of professional
associations involved in promoting good practice
by its members in accreditation of educational
programs.
TAFE NSW
CANADA
Chile
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Spanish
Years of Study


Educacion Basica ....
(Primary School)
Licencia de .............
Educacion Media/
Technico Medio
As above ...............
Secondary level
Technical Vocational Schools.....................................

Technical Training Centres ........................................
Professional Institutes, Universities ............................
4-5 years ................... Licencia de Educacion .......

Media and Technico Medio
(Certificate of Secondary
Education)
AQF Certificate II
2-3 years ................... Technico Superior .............

(Higher Technician) and
Certificado de Egreso
(Certificate of Completion)
as a licensed technician
(if graduate completes a
period of practical training
prescribed by INACAP)
AQF Diploma
4-5 years ................... Ingeniero de Ejecucion ......

(Practical Engineer)
AQF Advanced Diploma
4-5 years ................... Diploma (if course in):

Administration, Motor
Mechanics, Environmental
and ecological engineering,
Teacher Training (primary
education) & social
communication)
As above ...............
Universities ............................................................
3 years (FT) ................ Technico Universitario ........ Australian Bachelor Degree

(University - Level
Technician)
CHILE
Chile
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Spanish
Years of Study

Trades
Minimum 3 years of
primary education
Licencia de .............
Educacion Media and
university entrance
exam (Prueba de
Aptitud Academica)
As above ...............
As above ...............
Awarded by the Instituto Nacional de Capitacion

Profesional (INCAP)
Regional Centres
Teacher Education
Teachers (Pre-School, Early Childhood)
Professional Institute ...............................................
Teachers (Primary)
Escuelas Normales Superiores ...................................
Professional Institutes
Teachers (Pre-School, Primary, Secondary)

Universities ............................................................
1 year (PT) .................. No formal examination ...... To be given a challenge test

1200 hours duration.
just a record of achievement
Students are in
employment
3-4 years .................... Profesor de Educacion .......

Parvularia or Educador de
Parvulos.
4 years ....................... Bachillerato Pedagogico ..... Australian Associate Degree

(Bachelor of Education)
And the professional title:
Profesor de Educacin
General Bsica (Teacher of
General Basic Education)
5 years ....................... Licenciado en Educacion ....
Professor (Teacher of)
Australian Bachelor Degree
Higher Education
Licencia de ............
Educacion Media
and university
entrance exam
(Prueba de Aptitud
Academica-PAA)
Universities ............................................................
3-4 years .................... Bachiller/Bacherillerato ...... Australian Associate Degree

(lower academic level or
equal to degree)
As above ..............
.............................................................................
3-5 years .................... Licenciado/Licenciatura .... Australian Bachelor Degree

(Degree) or professional title
(depending
(eg Engineer)
on subjects studied)
CHILE
Chile
Language of
instruction
Spanish
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Higher Education
1-2 years ................... Postitulo ......................... Australian Graduate Diploma
(Postgraduate Diploma)
Licenciado or .........
professional title
Universities ............................................................
Licenciado ............
............................................................................
2-4 years ................... Magister .......................... Australian Masters Degree

(depending
(Postgraduate Degree)
on field of study)
Magister/ ..............
Licenciado
............................................................................
3 years/5 years ........... Doctorado/ Doctor ............. Assessed individually

(depending on level of (Doctorate)
entry)
CHILE
Chile
Information to be supplied
CHILE
China (Mainland)
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Mandarin
Years of Study


Secondary level
Senior Middle Specialised Schools
Completion of Junior
Secondary School
(3-4 years)
Vocational
Training is largely institution based with a small ..........
period of work experience.
General Education is also included.
Technical
Training is largely institution based with some work .....
experience. General Education is also included.
Completion of ........
Senior Secondary
School

Vocational Technical Colleges .................................
Vocational Universities ...........................................
Regular higher education institutions
Trades
Trades are taught in the Secondary schools .................

(See above). Work experience may take place during or
after the training program
(Students are restricted to undertaking those trades
that are needed within their local area)
3 -4 years................... Certificate of Graduation..... AQF Certificate II

(or 2 years after Senior (Diploma)
Secondary School)
Up to 4 years................ ......................................
(depending on level
of entry)
AQF Certificate II
2 years ...................... Graduation Diploma ..........
AQF Certificate IV
3 years....................... Graduation Diploma ..........
3 -4 years................... Certificate of Graduation ....

(or 2 years after Senior (Diploma)
Secondary School)
AQF Certificate II
CHINA
China (Mainland)
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
Mandarin
Completion of Junior
Secondary School
Completion of Senior
Secondary School
Chinese National .....
University Entrance Exam
Teacher Training Schools (Primary)

Senior Specialised School ..........................................
Teacher (Junior)
Teachers College/Institute ..........................................
Normal University .....................................................
Higher Education
3-4 years................... Certificate of Graduation..... AQF Certificate II

2-3 years................... Diploma in Education ........ AQF Advanced Diploma
Diploma in Junior
Secondary Teaching
4 years...................... Degree in teaching............. Australian Bachelor Degree
4 years ..................... Bachelor Degree................ Australian Bachelor Degree
Chinese National .....

University Entrance
Exam
Comprehensive universities .......................................

Academies
Normal Universities (teacher education)
Specialised universities
Institutes

and Masters
Entrance Exam
Masters .................................................................
2-3 years .................. Masters Degree............... Australian Masters Degree

and Doctorate
Degree Exam
Doctorate ...............................................................
3 years .................... Doctorate........................ Assessed individually
Adult Higher Education

National Adult Exam
based on the Higher
School Certificate
Radio and TV University or College ..............................

Further Education College (including Night College)
2-3 years F/T ............. Graduation Diploma

2 years ............................ AQF Diploma
or up to 5 years P/T
3 years ............................ AQF Advanced Diploma
Staff University or College ..........................................

Administrators College, Spare Time Universities
2-3 years (F/T)............ Graduation Diploma

2 years ............................ AQF Diploma
3 years............................ AQF Advanced Diploma
CHINA
China
Languages
All original documents are issued in Chinese.
However, in ethnic minority regions, documents
may be issued in both Chinese and their own
languages (eg. Mongolian in Inner Mongolia,
Tibetan in Tibet, Uighur in Xijiang, Korean in some
parts of the Northeastern region).
programme accreditation before recruiting students

to a particular course.
The quality of the English documents issued by

Chinese institutions is extremely variable. It is still
very common, especially at secondary level, that
the translation is done by the individual and then
checked and stamped by the institutions.
Upon completion, students are normally issued a

Certificate of Graduation. Those who have also met
the Degree Regulation are also issued a Degree
Certificate.
Accreditation information
Accreditation at secondary level is the responsibility
of the provincial and territorial governments.
At tertiary level, Ministry of Education is the sole
accreditator. Recognised institutions are classified
into two groups: normal (
) institutions
and adult education (
)institutions.
Normal institutions are further recognised as
degree awarding institutions, non-degree awarding
colleges (zhuanke) and non-degree awarding
vocational colleges (gaozhi). Adult education
institutions do not have degree awarding power.
They can only offer adult education programmes.
Graduates from these institutions, who meet the
Degree Regulation of the Peoples Republic of
China requirements are awarded an Adult Education
degree by an appointed normal degree-awarding
institution.
The accreditation of academic programmes is the
responsibility of the Academic Degree Committee
of the State Council of China (also known as the
China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education
Development Centre, a department of MoE China).
Recognised institutions are required to obtained

Below is the certificate formats in different periods

after the Cultural Revolution.
and who met the degree requirements and

standards
In a green cover from 1998 and including a

picture of the student
Masters degrees
In a blue cover 1982-98, in a navy cover after

1998
Starting from 1998 includes a picture of the

student
Doctoral Degree
Certificate of Graduation
From 198298 in a navy blue cover
Points of recognition and information:
From 1998 in a burgundy cover.
Starting in 1998 includes a picture of the

student.
The only qualification awarded in 1981
A separate document 1982 84
Combined with the Bachelors degree 1985 91
A separate document 1992 to the present
In a red cover
Always includes a picture of the student
All self-taught awards after 2003 are in national

unified format.
Bachelors Degrees
1982 84 a separate document
1985 91 combined with the certificate of

graduation (in a red cover)
1992 a separate document
It was awarded in 1982 to some students who

received a Certificate of Graduation in 1981
Certificate of Graduation between early 1990s to

2000/2001 states Printed by Ministry of Education
on the bottom of lefthand side. After 2001, all
certificates are printed under the supervision of
Ministry of Education and the background shows
XLZS (short for Xue Li Zheng Shu qualification
certificates) under magnification. All degree
certificates after 1992 bear a Chinese national
emblem on the lefthand side. The new style
Bachelor Degree Certificates also shows
(Bachelor Degree) on the background. Until late

1990s, hand-written certificates were still very
common.
A central database of Chinese higher education
qualification certificates has been developed by the
MoE. After 2001, all national awards have a 17 or
18 digital number on the Certificate of Graduation
(
).
CHINA
China
Advice
Fraud is very common in China. Very high quality
fake documents, ranging from junior secondary
certificate to Ph.D can be purchased. Little
stickers advertising fraudulent documents are
often seen in nearly every town and city. The
Chinese government has put considerable amount
of effort to attack these fraudulent documents
mills, including establishing the national central
database and making improvements to security
devices on national certificates, However, fake
qualifications are still widely available and very
often a full set of documents including transcripts,
degree certificates etc are purchased.
The most common form of fraud in transcripts is
the omission of subjects. All Chinese students
are required to study Maozedong Thoughts,
Dengxiaoping Theory and other political
subjects with Chinese characteristics. Physical
Education, Military Theories, English (up to
secondary year), Advanced Mathematics (upto
secondary year for science students) are also
compulsory subjects in national curriculum.
Therefore, all genuine transcripts for tertiary award
should include these subjects. Grades distortion is
another popular fraud and it is much more difficult
to prove.
CHINA
China
Upper Secondary Graduation Certificate (Results)
Upper Secondary Graduation Certificate (Confirmation of Graduation)
CHINA
China
Fake Self Taught Graduation Certificate
Fake Self Taught Graduation Certificate
CHINA
China
Genuine Graduation Certificate (Bachelor Degree)
Genuine Self-taught Examination Certificate
CHINA
Egypt
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Arabic
Years of Study


Secondary level
Certificate of Basic
Education /AlAzhar Preparatory
Certificate
As above ...............
Certificate of Basic
Education /AlAzhar Preparatory
Certificate
As above ...............
General Secondary
School Certificate
(57-64%) or,
Secondary School
Technical Diploma
General Secondary
School Certificate (Av.
70%) or, Secondary
School Technical
Diploma (75%)
Technical
(Industrial/ Agricultural/ Commercial Streams) .............
.............................................................................
Vocational
Vocational Secondary Schools ...................................
.............................................................................
Post Secondary
Intermediate Vocational/Technical Institutes ................
(Maahaad Motawasid)
Commercial/ Health/ Industrial Streams
Higher Technical Institutes (Maahaad Aalia) .................

Agricultural/ Commercial/ Industrial (advanced level)
3 years....................... Secondary School Technical .. AQF Certificate II

Diploma in (Industry/
Agriculture/ Commerce)
5 years........................ Diploma of Advanced .........
Technical Studies in
(Industry/ Agriculture/
Commerce)
AQF Certificate III
2 years........................ Vocational Certificate.........

(or students who fail
final third year exam)
AQF Certificate II
3 years........................ Secondary School Diploma ..

in Vocational Preparation
(Certificate contain words:
Qualified as a Craftsman)
AQF Certificate III
2 years....................... Technical Institute Diploma
AQF Certificate IV
2 years....................... Diploma...........................
AQF Diploma
4-5 years.................... Bachelor Degree...............
EGYPT
Egypt
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Trades
Arabic
Certificate of Basic ...
Education/AlAzhar Preparatory
Certificate
Industrial schools .....................................................
3 years..................... Secondary School Technical

Diploma in Industry
(Automotive Electricity,
General Mechanics,
Masonry, Weaving and
Spinning)
AQF Certificate II
5 years..................... Diploma of Advanced ........ AQF Certificate III

Technical Studies in Industry
2-4 years................... Apprenticeship................... AQF Certificate III
Teacher Education
General Secondary ..
School Certificate/
Al-Azhar General
Secondary School
certificate
Teacher (Primary/Secondary)
Universities ..............................................................
4 years..................... Bachelor of Education.........
4 years..................... Bachelor of Education ........ Australian Bachelor Degree

(from a prestigious institution)
4 years..................... Bachelor of Primary ...........
Education
Bachelor of Primary ...........
Education (from a
prestigious institution)

Australian Graduate Diploma
Bachelor ................
...............................................................................
1 year....................... General Diploma in ............

Education
School Certificate/
Al-Azhar General
Secondary School
certificate
Al Azhar Teacher Training Institute ..............................
3 years...................... Al Azhar Teacher Training ... AQF Advanced Diploma

Diploma
EGYPT
Egypt
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
Arabic
Secondary School ....
Technical Diploma
Teacher (Technical & Vocational Secondary)

Vocational Teacher Training Institutes .........................
5 years...................... Bachelor of Science in ....... Australian Bachelor Degree

Education (Industrial
Specialisation)
Higher Education
4-6 years .................
(depending on area of
study)
Bachelor Degree ............... Australian Associate Degree
School Certificate
(70-75%)
Universities ..............................................................
Bachelor ................
...............................................................................
1 year (FT).................. Diploma in Higher Studies Australian Graduate Diploma

(also known as Diploma of
Graduate Studies, or simply
Diploma /Diplom Derassat
Uliaa)
Bachelor ................
(Good grade)
...............................................................................
2 years (FT)................. Masters (Majister)............. Australian Masters Degree
Masters ................
(Good grade)
...............................................................................
3-4 years................... Doctor of Philosophy.......... Assessed individually
Bachelor Degree .............. Australian Bachelor Degree

(from a Higher Institution)
EGYPT
Egypt
Languages
Documents are issued in Arabic. Some institutions/
faculties which teach in English issue documents
in English while others use English for part of the
documentation such as the transcript.
At the foot of the documents, the signatures

of the Director of Student Affairs, the head of
the examinations department, the head of the
assessment unit, the examiner and the scientific
advisor are included
A stamp from the Ministry of Education is also

included (generally over one of the signatures
at the bottom). The stamp features the Eagle of
Saladin which is the national symbol of Egypt
and has Ministry of Education written around it
in Arabic.
Secondary level education is overseen by

the Ministry of Education and the regional
Governorate where the student has taken the
examination
Tertiary level education is overseen by the

Ministry of Higher Education
Secondary and tertiary religious education

is administered by Al-Azhar University and is
overseen by the Ministry of Awqaf (religious
endowments).

Tertiary documents do not follow a standard

format as all universities follow their own patterns.
However, there are certain common features to all
university degree documents and transcripts:
Documents are written in Arabic, English, or

a combination of the two. Generally speaking
those courses which are carried out in English
will issue English language documents.
When written in Arabic the script is usually

highly decorative and fully vowelled. In some
cases parts of the certificate/transcript may also
be handwritten
A number of different signatures are included

at the foot of Egyptian degree documents.
Most universities will include the signature
of the Dean of the faculty and the Principal/
President of the university. Others may include
the signature of the registrar, the head of the
examinations section and in the case of AlAzhar University the signature of the student
General information such as the students name,
Secondary documents follow a general format:
Documents are written in Arabic, with all the

general information printed and the students
details filled in by hand
The main document students receive is a

combined certificate and transcript. The printed
transcript lists all the possible subjects that are
available to for study and the students marks
are filled in by hand against the appropriate
subjects
Dates used on the documents are from the

western calendar
Personal information on the documents includes

the students name, his/her examination seat
fathers name, date and place birth are also

included
number and the name of the school where the

examination was taken
Dates are generally from the western calendar,

though some universities (notably Al-Azhar) use
the Islamic Hijra calendar. Reference is always
made to the western date as well, however.

advice
Egyptian education is controlled by the Ministry
of Higher Education. Even private universities
are under the control of the government (via the
Supreme Council of Universities) and opportunities
for fraud within the Egyptian system are therefore
more limited than in some countries in the region.
A recent trend within higher education in Egypt
has been the establishment of private universities
in partnership with foreign providers. Currently
only four of these institutions are recognised by
the Ministry of Education: the German University
in Egypt, the French University in Egypt, Al Ahram
[Pyramids] Canadian University and the British
University in Egypt. Other foreign institutions
claiming accreditation in Egypt will not be operating
lawfully.
In terms of documentation, the lack of modern
security features on Egyptian documents and the
propensity to still issue hand written documents
means that Egyptian awards may be more subject
to forgery than those from systems with more highly
developed security features. Documents which
do not conform to the features outlined above or
otherwise appear suspicious should be checked
with the TAFE MEU. Sealed transcripts can also be
requested directly from the awarding institution.
EGYPT
Egypt
Example of Masters degree
EGYPT
Fiji
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

English
Junior Secondary ....
(Form 4)
Secondary level
Technical Secondary ................................................
Public Vocational School
2 years........................ Fiji Vocational (Training) ..... AQF Certificate II

Certificate
Fiji School Leaving...

Certificate (FSLC)
Post Secondary
Fiji Institute of Technology, University of the ................
South Pacific
1 year......................... Certificate (eg Business, ..... AQF Certificate III

Business (Accounting) etc)
language of instruction
2 years....................... Diploma (eg Engineering, .... AQF Diploma

Maritime Studies, Graphic
Design etc)
Fiji Seventh Form ....

Certificate
Trades
Fiji School Leaving ..
Certificate (FSLC)
Apprenticeship Programs ..........................................

Fiji Institute of Technology
1-3 years ...................

(plus 12 to 18 months
industrial experience,
depending on program)
Trade Certificate ................. AQF Certificate II

(eg in marine engineering,
carpentry, electronics,
plumbing etc)
Teacher Education
Fiji Seventh Form .....
Certificate
Certificate
Bachelor
Certificate
Bachelor ................
Teachers (Primary)
Teacher Training College ...........................................
2 years........................ Teachers Certificate............ AQF Certificate IV
Teachers (Junior Secondary)

Fiji College of Advanced Education (FCAE) ....................
2 years........................ Diploma in Education.......... AQF Diploma
Fiji College of Advanced Education (FCAE) ....................
2 years (10 weeks)....... Secondary Teacher ............ Australian Bachelor Degree

Training Certificate
University of the South Pacific ....................................
3 years........................ Bachelor of Education......... Australian Bachelor Degree
...............................................................................
1 year......................... Postgraduate Certificate ..... Australian Graduate Diploma

in Education
FIJI
Fiji
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
English
Years of Study

Higher Education
Fiji Seventh Form ....
Certificate
University of the South Pacific ...................................
3 years...................... Bachelor.......................... Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor ................
.............................................................................
1-2 years.................... Masters........................... Australian Masters Degree
Masters ................
.............................................................................
2 years....................... Doctorate.......................... Assessed individually
FIJI
Fiji
Information to be supplied
FIJI
Germany
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

German
Secondary Level (Dual system)

(combine classroom and practical training)
Grades 9 or 10 .......... Berufsschule ................................................................. 12 days in a classroom ...
3 days in practical
(vocational schools)
training ( e.g in a bank)
over 2, 3 or 3 and a half
years.
Grade 10 ..................
Berufsschulaschluss......... AQF Certificate II

Abschlusszeugnis
(Students will also be
registered in the board
of trade (Industrie-und
Handelskammer - IHK).
Berufsfachschule ........................................................... 23 years ..................... Gesellenbrief/ ................... AQF Certificate III

(full-time vocationKaufmannsgehilfeenbrief/
Intermediate technical schools
specific programs)
Facharbeiterbrief
Berufsoberschule .......................................................... 2 years .......................... Fachhochschulreife ......... AQF Certificate IV
Berufsschule ...........
Berufsfachschule
Berufsoberschule
Tertiary non-university institutions

(e.g specialised technical academies)
Fachschulen .................................................................. 13 years full-time
Meisterabrief (2 years) ..... AQF Diploma

Fachschulabschluss .......... AQF Diploma
(3 years)
Trades
See Secondary Level-Dual System above plus

professional licence to work and use the occupational
title.
Grades 9 or 10 .......... ..................................................................................... 12 days in a classroom ... Urkunde ............................. Licenses the individual to
and 3 days in practical
work in a specific occupation
training 3 years, AND
the level is determined by
state examination AND
the qualification see above
professional licence
TAFE NSW
GERMANY
Germany
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Teacher Education
German
Zeugnis der
Allgemeine
Hochschulereife
or Abitur, or
Fachgebundene
Hochschulreife
Pre-school teacher
Universities, teacher training college, university of
applied science
Primary and secondary teacher
Technical and vocational teacher
Universities, technical training colleges and institutes,
technical universities, colleges of pedagogy. Teacher
training includes two stages.
3 years +1 year ............... Fachochschuldiplom ........ Australian Bachelor Degree

practice or 4 year
Includes two stages: ......

Stage I
34 years + Erste
Staatsprunfunf
examination
Zweites Staatexamen ...... Australian Masters Degree
Stage II (practical)
(Vorbereitungsdienst)
12 years + Zweite
Staatsprufung
examination
New system will reflect
the Bologna process to
include:
3 Years Bachelor + 12
Master
TAFE NSW
GERMANY
Germany
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Higher Education
36 years ........................
Bachelor, Bakkalaureus, ..... Australian Bachelor Degree

Fachochschuldiplom,
Diplom, Magister
Artium, Staatsexamen/
Staasprufung, Diplom, ,
Fachhochschulen Diplom,
Berufsakademien Diplom,
Lizentiatsprufung
Bachelor .................... ............................................................................................. 12 years ........................
Magister ........................... Australian Masters Degree
Magister .................... .............................................................................................. 3 years ............................
Doctoral degree, ............... Australian Doctorate

Doktor, Habilitation,
Promotion
Zeugnis der ............. Universities, Polythecnic universities, Fachhochschule,

Allgemeine
Berufsakademie, art and music colleges
Hochschulereife or
Abitur ,
Fachgebundene
Hochschulreife
Fachhochschule
TAFE NSW
GERMANY
Germany
Languages
Documents are mainly issued in German. Latin
sometimes occurs in the grades of university
degrees and in official seals of old universities. In
some cases, whole documents can be in English,
especially those issued in recent years and for
study programmes that have been taught in English.
Each state- Bundesland- holds extensive
control over its own affairs, while the Federal
government coordinates them through the
Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of
the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of
the Lnder). The Federal government in Germany
has only limited legislative responsibility for the
education system. The only aspects of education
that lie in the responsibility of the Federal
government is the in-company part of vocational
training (the practical part of the dual vocational
education system), the framework of general
principles in higher education and the advancement
of scientific research.
Since the Bologna reform, some individual
study courses have been accredited by the
Akkreditierungsrat. At the moment this happens
at a voluntary basis, but as of 2010 it will be
mandatory for all higher education institutions that
offer Bologna degrees to have their study programs
accredited.


Advice
There is no standard degree format in Germany.

Degree certificates are usually in portrait style, with
the institutions name at the top and an official seal
of the institution where the qualification was gained.
Signatures of authority (eg Prsident, Rektor and
Dekan) are on the bottom of the page. The title
of the degree and the name of the candidate are
printed in a larger and sometimes bold font in the
centre of the certificate.
Germany is not very prone to education fraud.

The titles of Hochschule, Universitt and
Fachhochschule are legally protected in Germany,
which makes it more difficult for degree mills
to operate. It is also a criminal offense to issue
an academic degree without permission of the
respective Bundesland.
Transcripts are issued by the institutions and are

broken down into semesters. They normally include
information such as studied subjects, obtained
marks and achieved grades. They may also include
information such as the number of credits awarded,
the students date of birth and the duration of the
course.
However, there are education institutions operating

under the title corporate university which are not
actual universities. Corporate universities are
further education institutions that are operated by
companies for their staff. Fraudulent documents are
also quite rare.
After completion of occupational training, up

to three different documents may be received:
The Abschlusszeugniss from the school (stating
the courses that have been completed), the
Staatsprfung (state examination) and the
professional licence to work and use the
occupational title.
TAFE NSW
GERMANY
Germany
Name
Example of a genuine German Diploma
TAFE NSW
GERMANY
Germany
Name
Example of a German Degree
TAFE NSW
GERMANY
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China)

Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Chinese
English
Years of Study


(Only at post secondary and tertiary level)
Secondary .........
Form 3
Secondary ..........
Form 5
5 HKCEE Passes .....
Post Secondary
Hong Institute of Vocation Education (IVE)....................
Key disciplines:
Applied Science, Business Administration, Child Care ...........
Computing and Mathematics, Construction, Design,
Printing, Textiles and Clothing, Hotel, Service and Tourism
Studies, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical, ....
Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
1 year......................... Basic Craft Certificate.......
AQF Certificate I
1 year........................ Technician Foundation ...... AQF Certificate I

Course
2 years....................... Certificate ....................... AQF Certificate IV
Secondary Form 3
.............................................................................
1-3 years.................... Craft Certificate ...............
AQF Certificate II
Craft Certificate ......
.............................................................................
1-2 years.................... Advanced Craft Certificate
AQF Certificate III
5 HKCEE Passes (E)
.............................................................................
2 years....................... Higher Certificate.............
AQF Diploma
Secondary Form 3
.............................................................................
2 years (FT) ................ Certificate in Vocational ...

2-5 years (PT)
Studies
AQF Certificate II
Secondary Form 5
.............................................................................
1 year (FT) ................. Foundation Diploma .......... AQF Certificate I

2 years (PT).
Foundation Diploma/
Certificate
Hong Kong .............

Certificate of
Education Exam
(HKCEE) - 5 passes
.............................................................................
2 years (FT). ............... Diploma..........................

2-5 years (PT)
Secondary Form 7
.............................................................................
2 years (FT).................. Higher Diploma................. Australian Associate Degree
Certificate or ..........
Diploma
.............................................................................
1 year (FT) .................. Higher Diploma ................ AQF Advanced Diploma

2-5 years (PT)
(Senior Technician)
AQF Certificate IV
HONG KONG

Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Chinese
English
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Trades
Hong Kong ............
Certificate of
Education Exam
(HKCEE) - 5 passes
Age 14-18 employed
in designated trade
Accountant Technician Traineeship Scheme

Employers and Institute of Vocational Education ...........
Apprenticeship Scheme (45 Trades)

Employers and Training Institutes ..............................
(eg Institute of Vocational Education)
3 years ...................... Certificate of Completion ...

(on the job training and of Traineeship
study)
AQF Certificate IV
3-4 years (on the ........ Technician Qualification .... AQF Certificate IV
job training and study) (eg in Automobile,
Electrical, Electronics etc)
Teacher Education
HKCEE/HKALE ........
Teachers (Primary/ Junior Secondary)

Hong Kong Institute of Education................................
HKALE ...................
Teachers (Secondary School)

Universities ............................................................
2-3 years ................... Certificate of Primary ....... AQF Diploma

(depending on level of Education
entry)
4 years...................... Bachelor of Education (BEd)
1 year........................ Postgraduate Diploma ....... Australian Graduate Diploma

in Education
Bachelor ................
Higher Education
Hong Kong .............
Advanced Level
Certificate results
(HKALE)
Universities ............................................................
Polytechnics
Institutions of Professional Education
3 years ...................... Associate Degree/............. AQF Diploma

Higher Diploma
As above ...............
...........................................................................
3-6 years .................. Bachelor Degree............... Australian Bachelor Degree

(depending on subject
areas)
Bachelor ...............
(with second class
honours)
...........................................................................
1 year (FT) .................. Masters Degree............... Australian Masters Degree

2 years (PT)
Masters ................
...........................................................................
3 years (FT) ................ PhD................................ Assessed individually

or equivalent PT
HONG KONG

Language of
instruction
Chinese
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded
1 year (FT) .................

2 years (PT)
Certificate comparable ......

to Hong Kong Certificate of
Education (HKCEE)

Adult Higher Education

Secondary school ...
(form 1form 5) or
Adult learners age
21+
Technical Colleges/Technical Institutes ......................
NSW School Certificate/

Year 11
HONG KONG
Hong Kong
(Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China)
Languages
Most Graduation Certificates and Degree Certificates
are issued in both English and traditional Chinese.
Transcripts are usually issued in English.
At secondary level, the Education and Manpower
Bureau (EMB www.emb.gov.uk) is both the policy
maker and the accreditor. All schools have to
meet the stipulated requirement of the Education
Ordinance to obtain accreditation from the EMB.
The EMB also overseas the quality of the Career
Oriented Curriculum scheme and Yi Jin Scheme
courses (lifelong education scheme designed
for secondary school leavers and adults ages 21
and over). The Hong Kong Council for Academic
Accreditation advises the EMB on the quality
assurance of the respective courses.
Council. The first seven institutions have substantial

freedom in the control of curricula and academic
standards, the selection of staff and students
and the internal allocation of resources. However,
they are subject to UGCs periodic Teaching and
Learning Quality Process Reviews. The Open
University of Hong Kong and the HK Institute of
Education are subject to the quality assurance
mechanisms of the HKCAA. HK Institute of
Educations self-accrediting status is only for
teacher education courses. For courses outside
this area, they have to be validated by HKCAA
except under the jurisdiction of the Joint Quality
Review Committee (JQRC).
The JQRC was established in 2005 by the UGCfunded institutes to carry out the following:
At tertiary level, nine HEIs have self-accrediting

status:
The University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong University of Science and

Technology
Hong Kong Baptist University
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Lingnan University
Hong Kong Institute of Education (only

applicable to teacher education courses)
Open University.
The first eight universities are government-funded

on the advice of the University Grants Committee.
Each of the tertiary institutions is an autonomous
body with its own Ordinance and Governing
Review the quality assurance processes for selffinancing sub-degree programmes offered by
both the Continuing Education Units and other
departments/colleges of the UGC-funded, selfaccrediting institutions on an institutional basis
Conduct programme assessment for these
institutions with the purpose of classifying
their programmes into the Qualifications
Framework HKCAA is the accreditor for
education providers/courses not under the
above remit.

Graduation Certificates for degree level
programmes from UGC-funded HEIs are generally in
A3-size landscape, while sub-degree programmes
are generally in A4-sized landscape. Transcripts
from UGC-funded HEIs are normally in portrait
format. Documents from non-UGC-funded HEIs
vary in terms of presentation.
The Graduation Certificates usually bear seal of
the institution and signatures of the appropriate
authority, eg. Institution's President, Vice
Chancellor of the institution, Chairman of the
Council, Registrar, and sometimes Chief Executive
Officer of HKSAR. A running/serial number is preprinted on each of the blank certificates. Some
institutions also have different security devices, eg.
Water-marks.
Academic transcripts in most cases have the stamp
of the institution and signature of Registrar.

Advice
Fraud is not a serious issue in Hong Kong as
verification can be easily obtained from HEIs, EMB
or HKCAA
In February 2004, the Executive Council announced

the launch of the seven-level, cross-sectoral
Qualification Framework of Hong Kong (QF).
HKCAAs new role, is to oversee the quality
of awards registered in QF and to act as the
Qualifications Register Authority.
HKCAA is the advisor to EMB with respect to all the
registered courses under the Ordinance regarding
non-locally provided courses.
HONG KONG
India
Language of
instruction
Hindi
English
or regional
language
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study


Qualifications
Standard X
Secondary level
Technical ...............................................................
Higher Schools
Technical Schools
2 years ........................ Certificate of Vocational .... AQF Certificate IV

Education 12 (CVE-12)
Vocational training is practically oriented through

apprenticeship (on-the-job). Although some general
education is completed within an institution.
As above ...............
Post Secondary level (Technical Education)

Polytechnics/Colleges of Technology ..........................
1 year ......................... Diploma .......................... AQF Certificate II

2 years ........................ Diploma .......................... AQF Certificate IV
3-4 years .................... Diploma .......................... AQF Diploma
Diploma ................
Bachelor Degree
Polytechnics ...........................................................
Universities
1-112 years .................. Higher National Diploma/.... AQF Post Graduate Diploma
Post Diplomas/Advance
Diploma
Trades
Secondary school ...
qualifications
(Standard IX to
Standard X)
National Trade .......
Certificate/ National
Apprenticeship
Certificate
Craftsman Training Scheme

Practical Training Institutes .......................................
Practical training is carried out on-the-job with the
more theoretical aspects being classroom based.
1-2 year ...................... National Trade Certificate... AQF Certificate II

NTC)
Apprenticeship Training Scheme

Required to pass the All India Trade Test .....................
Practical training is carried out on-the-job with the
more theoretical aspects being classroom based.
Average 3 years ............ National Apprenticeship .... AQF Certificate III

Training Certificate
National Vocational Training Institutes (NVTI)/ ..............

Regional Vocational Training Institutes (RVTI)
Training is institutionally based with a work placement
at the end of training.
1-2 years ..................... Diploma of Advanced ........ AQF Certificate IV

Vocational Training
INDIA
India
Language of
instruction
Hindi
English
or regional
language
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
Standard X ............
Teacher (Lower Primary)

Teacher Training Institutes ......................................
2 years ...................... Teacher Certificate ...........
AQF Certificate IV
Standard XII ..........
Teacher (Upper Primary)

Teacher Training Institutes ......................................
2 years ...................... Teacher Diploma ..............
AQF Certificate IV
Standard XII ..........
Universities (Primary) ..............................................
4-6 years ..................
Bachelor Degree ....
Teacher (Secondary)
Universities (Lower Secondary) .................................
Bachelor of Elementary .....

Education (BElEd)
1 year Bachelor .......... Bachelor of Education .......

of Education
Masters Degree ....
Universities (Upper Secondary) ..................................
1 year Bachelor .......... Bachelor of Education .......

of Education
Universities ............................................................
National Institutes
Open Universities
Colleges
...........................................................................
3 years ....................... Bachelor Degree ..............
4-5 year ...................... Professional Bachelor .......

Degree (e.g Dentistry)
3 Year Bachelor ......

Degree
...........................................................................
1 year ......................... Post Graduate ..................
4 Year Bachelor ......

Degree
...........................................................................
2-3 years ..................... Masters Degree ............... Australian Masters Degree
...........................................................................
18 months- 2 years ...... Professional Masters .......

Degree
Australian Masters Degree
Master of Philosophy
...........................................................................
18 months ................... Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
2 years ........................ Doctorate (PhD) ...............
Assessed individually
Higher Education
Indian School .........
Certificate (SXII)
All Indian Senior ....
School Certificate
Standard XII
INDIA
India
Language
English and Hindi are the main lingua-francas
of higher education. All documents from all
universities can be issued in English. Documents
may however be issued in any of the nationally
recognised languages these are: Assamese,
Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri,
Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam Manipuri or Meithei,
Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali,
Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.
Universities must be recognised by the UGC (the
University Grants Commission).
Universities without UGC recognition are not able
to provide nationally recognised awards. It is
sometimes the case that private providers will act
as affiliated bodies to recognised HEIs so that their
awards may receive national recognition.
Secondary awards come from Boards of Education
which may be regional or central.
In some provinces students will receive a preuniversity certificate rather than higher secondary
certificate.
Technical awards are generally awarded by regional
technical boards of education.
The AICTE (All India Council for Technical
Education) has statutory authority for planning,
formulation and maintenance of norms and
standards, quality assurance through accreditation,
funding in priority areas, monitoring and evaluation,
maintaining parity of certification and awards and
ensuring coordinated and integrated development
and management of technical education in
the country. Their remit of the Council covers

programmes of technical education including
training and research in Engineering, Technology,
Architecture, Town Planning, Management,
Pharmacy, Applied Arts and Crafts, Hotel
Management and Catering Technology at different
levels.

Degree certificates come in a variety of formats
depending on the awarding body.
Many degree certificates are proforma documents
with holders name, date of award and qualification
added in. Sometimes the affiliated college where
the holder studied is also added in. In order to have
as fuller picture of possible of student achievement
and also of the quality of the documentation,
transcripts and final degree certificates from
the university should be requested. Provisional
documents from affiliated colleges are not sufficient
proof of completion. It should also be noted that
the time taken to issue final degree certificates
is also variable and depends of the degree of
automation in the administration processes of the
university in question. Secondary and technical
documentation is also equally variable. The quality
of the documentation depends on the issuing body
and the date of award. The paper quality of older
awards is often poor with a relatively porous paper
used that tends to fade and break over time. Newer
awards are often printed on better quality paper.
Some states are introducing security devices onto
their certificates in the form of hologramatic images
(e.g. Maharashtra State).
Fraud Risk Assessment

and Advice
The UGC provides up-to-date lists of illegally
operating institutions in India. If an institution is not
accredited, the UGC website should be checked.
There is a relatively high risk of receiving fraudulent
documents from India. High profile cases in the
last few years have highlighted the degree of the
problem.
Anecdotal evidence suggest that the sale of blank
degree certificates is common. We make would
thus make the following recommendations:
Always request full transcripts and degree

certificates
Double check any new degree certificates that

come with handwriting on them
Double check that the course studied is

available at any given institution
For degrees in medical and paramedical fields

request proof of completion of compulsory
internships
Do not except degree certificates / transcripts,

especially newer ones with any corrections
For tertiary qualifications check that the holder

has passed standard XII level examinations.
INDIA
India
Secondary Education certificate from Maharashtra State Board
INDIA
India
Higher Secondary Education certificate from Maharashtra State Board
INDIA
India
Technical Diploma from a Polytechnic / Board of Technical Examinations (Maharashtra State)
photo
INDIA
India
Technical Diploma from a Polytechnic / Board of Technical Examinations (Gujarat State)
INDIA
Indonesia
Country and
Language
Pre-Requisites
Bahasa
Indonesia
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Junior Secondary ...
(Grade 9)
Secondary
Vocational Senior Secondary School ..........................
3 -4 years ................... Vocational Secondary ....... AQF Certificate II

(depending on program School Certificate of
of study)
Completion (Surat Tanda
Tamat Belajar Sekolah
Sekolah Menengah
Kerajinam STTB SMK)
Standard Kompetensi ....... AQF Certificate III
Nasional SKN .
Senior Secondary ...

School Certificate of
Completion (Surat
Tanda Tamat Belajar
Sekolah Menengah
Umum Tingkat Atas
-STTB SMA)
Post Secondary
Polytechnics (Sekolah Tinggi), Academies (Akademis)
1 year........................ Diploma I (or Ahli Pratama) AQF Certificate III

2 years........................ Diploma II (or Ahli Muda).... AQF Certificate IV
3 years........................ Diploma III (Ahli Madya)..... AQF Diploma
4 years........................ Diploma IV ...................... AQF Advanced Diploma
(Sarjana Sains Terapan)
Trades
There has been little success in setting up formal
apprenticeship schemes or similar on the job training
courses.
INDONESIA
Indonesia
Language of
instruction
Bahasa
Indonesia
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
Senior Secondary ....
School Certificate of
Completion &
entrance exam
(Ujian Masuk
Perguruan Tinggi
Negeri UMPTN)
As above ................
Teachers (Primary/Junior Secondary)

Teacher Training Institutes ........................................
Teachers (Senior Secondary)

Universities ............................................................
2 years ...................... Diploma II in Education ...... AQF Certificate IV

(Diploma II in Kependidikan)
& Teaching Certificate
(Akta II)
412 years ................... Sarjana (S1) in Education.... Australian Bachelor Degree

(Pendidikan) & Teaching
Certificate (Akta IV)
Higher Education
Senior Secondary ....
School Certificate
of Completion &
entrance exam to
State Universities
(Ujian Masuk
Perguruan Tinggi
Negeri UMPTN)
Universities ............................................................
Technical Institutes
Islamic Institutes
4-7 years ................... Sarjana S1 (Strata 1) ......... Australian Bachelor Degree

(depending on area of Degree
study)
S1 Degree .............
(with Grade Point
Average (GPA)
between 2.5 & 2.75)
...........................................................................
2 years....................... Magister S2 (Strata 2) ........ Australian Masters Degree
S2 Degree ..............
(with GPA at least
3.25)
...........................................................................
3 -5 years................... Doktor S3 (Strata 3) .......... Assessed individually
INDONESIA
Indonesia
Languages
Documents are issued in Indonesian and sometimes
English.
The ministry of national education is responsible
for all education in Indonesia. Within the ministry
the Directorate General of Basic and Secondary
education is responsible for the awarding of
secondary diplomas and the Directorate General
for Higher Education ahs ultimate responsibility for
Higher education.

Advice
There have been a number of reports of the
production of fraudulent documents in the region.
This appeared to be particularly prevalent post
tsunami with students claiming to have lost
their documents at educational institutions in
the affected regions. The use of qualifications
purchased from degree mills has also been noted to
be on the increase.
Example of a degree certificate from Indonesia
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for

Madrassah education.
Notes on Degree Format and

Requesting Verification
The format of degree certificates varies from
institution to institution. Generally they are
landscape in format. And will generally contain a
photograph of the student. They should also be
stamped by the institution in question, as should
supporting transcripts.
Secondary awards for the STTB / SMA appear in
national format with a national crest at the top. The
documents are portrait in format.
INDONESIA
Iran
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Persian (Farsi)
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Certificate of General
Education
Secondary level
Secondary Schools (Upper Secondary)
Technical Branch (Fani Herfei) ...................................
Vocational Branch (Kar Danesh) .................................
3 years........................ Technician Certificate........ AQF Certificate II

1 year......................... Second Degree ................. AQF Certificate I
Technicians Certificate
3 years........................ First Degree Technicians ... AQF Certificate II
Certificate
Trades
No evidence of courses specific to trade or in the style of
an apprenticeship the Kar Danesh would be the closest.
Teacher Education
Teachers (Primary/Middle School)

Teacher Training Centres and Institutions ....................
2 years ...................... Associate Degree .............
AQF Diploma
Universities ............................................................
4 years ...................... Bachelor of Education........
Universities ............................................................
Higher Education Centres
2 years ....................... Associate Degree..............
AQF Diploma
4 years ...................... Bachelor Degree...............

(Kar-Shenasi/Licence)
Bachelor ..............
...........................................................................
2 years ....................... Masters Degree...............

(Karshenasi-Arshad/
Fogh-Licence)
Masters ...............
...........................................................................
4-5 years .................... PhD/ Doctorate.................
Pre-University ........
Certificate and a
National Entrance
Exam (Kunkur)
As above................
Pre-University ........
Certificate and a
National Entrance
Exam (Kunkur)
Higher Education
IRAN
Iran
Languages
Documents are issued in Farsi.
At primary and secondary levels education is

Technical and vocational education is overseen

by the Technical and Vocational Training
Organisation (TVTO)
Institutions of Higher Education are accredited

by a number of different Ministries, depending
upon the type of courses offered. For example,
a large number of Universities are accredited
by the Ministry of Science, Research and
Technology or the Ministry of Culture and
Higher Education, while Universities specialising
in Medical Sciences are accredited by the
Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical
Education
At all levels the Supreme Council of the Cultural
Revolution determines educational policy.
This includes approving the establishment of
institutions of higher education, appointing
professors and lecturers, determining
curriculum content and the content of textbooks
and educational materials. The Council consists
of 33 members, including the President of Iran
and noted religious and non-religious scholars.

Degree certificates may be landscape or portrait

depending on the University
Certificates are generally headed with

which translates as In the name of God
Some also include the statement
otherwise much the same. They are headed with

the ancient Persian lion and sun motif combined
with the Pahlavi crown, with the full name of the
Imperial State of Iran (
)
below
The High School Diploma does not follow a

standard format. However, it always includes
a photograph of the student which is signed
on the reverse and the signatures of the Head
of Education Centre and the Head of the Local
Education Department. These signatures are
endorsed with stamps from the Ministry of
Education
The Pre-University Certificate generally follows

a standard format. It is issued on white card
with a green decorative border. It includes a
photograph of the student (signed on the back
and affixed to the top left hand corner) and the
signatures of the Head of the Education Centre,
the Director of the Local Education Department
and General Director of the Education
Department. These signatures are endorsed
with stamps from the Ministry of Education.
Technical and Vocational awards include

a Standard Number which relates to a list
held by the Technical and Vocational Training
Organisation.
Translation of documents into English is usually

carried out by the Iranian Ministry of Justice and
is of a high quality
Queries regarding the authenticity of documents

can be addressed to the education section of
the Iranian Embassy. Verification of the status
of institutions can also be requested from the
Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.
which means God raises up in rank those who

believe and have knowledge. This is in Arabic
rather than Farsi as it is a quotation from the
Quran (Sura 58, Ayat 11)
The emblem of the Islamic Republic (four

crescents and a sword, forming the shape of a
tulip) may also be at the head of the certificate,
with the full name of the Islamic Republic of
Iran (
) below
The name of the University and sometimes the

Faculty comes below these. The name of the
Ministry that accredits the institution is also
included on many certificates
The certificate often includes a photograph of the

student, though this is not always the case. Where
present, the photograph is signed on the reverse
Certificates always include a date of issue and a

reference number
The certificate always states the students

name, date and place of birth, identity card
number and fathers name before naming the
degree title, subject, grade and date of issue
Dates used on documents are from the Persian

Calendar. Dates in the Persian Calendar
differ from those of the western and Islamic
calendars. 2005 corresponds to the year 1384
Documents from before the revolution feature

different national symbols and slogans but are
IRAN
Iran
advice
Example of High School Diploma
Iranian education is controlled by the Supreme

Council for the Cultural Revolution. Even private
and fee-paying Universities (such as Payam-e Noor
and Islamic Azad Universities) have their curricula
determined and reviewed by this government
organisation. Opportunities for fraud within the
Iranian system are therefore limited.
However, in recent years the rise of online and
distance education overseen by unaccredited
international universities has raised the risk of
fraudulent degrees coming out of Iran. Foreign
universities operating on Iranian soil have also
presented a risk, the Iran branch of a foreign
university was fined and closed down in 2004.
IRAN
Iran
Example of High School Diploma translation
Example of degree certificates and transcripts
IRAN
Iran
Example of degree certificates and transcripts
IRAN
Iraq
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Arabic
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Certificate of ..........
Intermediate
Education/ Third
Form Baccalaureat
Preparatory ............
Baccalaureate (or
equivalent)
Secondary level
Upper Secondary Schools .........................................
(eg. in Agricultural Science, Commercial Studies, Home
Science, Industrial Science & Veterinary Science)
Technical Institutes, Technical Colleges ......................
3 years....................... Certificate of Vocational ..... AQF Certificate II

Preparatory Education/
Vocational Baccalaureat
2 years ...................... Diploma of Technician ....... AQF Certificate IV
(plus 6 weeks practical in (specialised field) eg
training each summer) Diploma of Technician in
Computer Technology
Trades
Vocational training is carried out solely in secondary
education, there is no provision of formal training in the
trades sector
Teacher Education
Intermediate
Education/ Third
Form Baccalaureat
As above ...............
Preparatory
Education/ Sixth
Form Baccalaureat
Teachers (Primary/Intermediate)
Teacher Training Centres Institutes, Fine Arts Institutes
Teachers (Primary/Intermediate)
Central Training Institutes .........................................
University Teaching Colleges .....................................
5 years ...................... Primary/Intermediate ........

School Teaching Certificate
AQF Diploma
2 years ...................... Diploma in Primary ...........

Education
AQF Diploma
4 years ...................... Bachelor of Education........
IRAQ
Iraq
Language of
instruction
Arabic
Pre-Requisites

Higher Education
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Technical Colleges .................................................
4 years ...................... Bachelor of Technology ... Australian Associate Degree
Bachelor of ............
Technology
...........................................................................
As above
...........................................................................
2 years ...................... Higher Diploma in ........... Australian Bachelor Degree

Technology
2-3 years ................... Master of Technology....... Australian Post-graduate
Diploma
Preparatory
Education/ Sixth
Form Baccalaureat
Universities ..........................................................
4 years ....................... Bachelor Degree ............. Australian Associate Degree
Bachelor (65%) ......
...........................................................................
2-3 years ................... Masters Degree ............. Australian Bachelor Degree
Masters ...............
...........................................................................
3 years ....................... Doctor of Philosophy ....... Assessed individually
Certificate of .........
Preparatory
Education/ Sixth
Form Baccalaureat
IRAQ
Iraq
Languages
Documents are issued in Arabic. Documents from
institutions in Kurdistan are issued in Kurdish.
At primary and secondary levels, education is

At tertiary level education is overseen by the
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific
Research
Certificates include a reference number, a date

of issue and a photograph of the student
English translations are generally very poor

quality, with spelling and typing errors, mistakes
with names and dates, and poor formatting

advice
Students often have a lot of trouble getting hold

of documents from Universities, and some have
been known to create fake documentation for
completed courses (as well as for courses that
have not been taken). Difficulties such as this
are particularly associated with institutions in
Kurdistan which have suffered severe disruption
over the past several decades
Since the fall of Iraqs regime in 2003, the

tight government control exercised over the
Iraqi education system has loosened. This has
resulted in the setting up of a number of private
colleges and universities, some of which (eg
Ahl al-Bayt University, Tigris University College,
Sheikh Muhammad Kasnazan University
College, Sheikh Muhammad Kasnazan
University College, University College of
Humanities, Knowledge City University College)
are fully accredited by the Ministry of Higher
Education, and some of which (eg The Iraqi
University) have not yet gained accreditation
and are not recognised to award degrees.
Post Secondary Technical Education is

overseen by the Foundation of Technical
Education. A separate Foundation for Technical
Education exists to oversee those institutions in
Kurdistan.

Degree certificates are generally portrait format
Certificates are generally headed with

(in the name of God the
all merciful the all compassionate) and the full
name of the Republic of Iraq
At the top of the certificate is the name of the

University and the accrediting body (Ministry
of Higher Education and Scientific Research or
Foundation of Technical Education)
Students are often only issued with certificates

when they have requested one for a specific
purpose. As a result, certificates often take the
form of a letter from the University/Departmental
registry to one of the government ministries. For
example, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the
student is emigrating or to the Ministry of Higher
Education and Scientific Research
IRAQ
Iraq
Degree certificate and transcript
IRAQ
Ireland
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

English
Secondary Level
Standard 6 ............. Schools, Vocational Education Committee colleges,
institutes of technology
Certificate
3 years ........................ Leaving Certificate Applied

/Leaving Certificate
Vocational Programme ....... AQF Certificate I
(Ordinary level)
Junior Certificate...... ................................................................................

Applied
(Ordinary Level)
1 4 years ................... FETAC Level 1................... Below AQF Certificate I

FETAC Level 2 .................. AQF Certificate I
FETAC Level 3 .................. AQF Certificate II
National Foundation.. ................................................................................

Certificate
2 years ........................ NCU Level 1 ..................... AQF Certificate II
Junior Certificate/.....
Leaving Certificate
Applied (Ordinary
Level)/FETAC Level 3/
Leaving Certificate
Institutes of Technology and Regional Technical Colleges
NCV Level 1 ............ .............................................................................

NCV Level 2 ............ .............................................................................
NCV Level 3 ............. .............................................................................
2 years ........................ Leaving Certificate Applied

Vocational Programme ...... AQF Certificate IV
(Higher level)
14 years ................... FETAC Level 4 .................. AQF Certificate III

FETAC Level 5 .................. AQF Certificate IV
FETAC Level 6.................. AQF Diploma
14 years.................... NCV Level 2 .................... AQF Certificate III

NCV Level 3 .................... AQF Certificate IV
NCV Level 4 .................... AQF Diploma
Trades
Group Certificate ......
Regional Training Colleges and VEC Colleges

Apprenticeships
TAFE NSW
24 years ................... National Craft Certificates ... AQF Diploma
IRELAND
Ireland
Language of
instruction
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
Primary School Teacher
Leaving Certificate .... Teacher training colleges affiliated with universities
Secondary School Teacher
Universities ..............................................................
3 4 years .................. Bachelor of Education ........ Australian Bachelor Degree

4 years + .................... Higher Diploma ................. Postgraduate Diploma
1 year post-graduate
in Education
Higher Education
Higher education institutions (universities, Higher
Education and Training Awards Council HETAC, Dublin
Institute of Technology
Leaving Certificate .... .............................................................................
Bachelor Degree ....... .............................................................................
Bachelor Degree
or Masters Degree.. ..
.............................................................................
TAFE NSW
3 6 years ................... General Bachelor Degree ... Australian Bachelor Degree

Bachelor Honours Degree
12 years .................... Masters Degree ................ Masters Degree
25 years .................. Doctoral Degree ................ Doctorate
IRELAND
Ireland
Languages
Most documents are issued in English and Irish,
although there are also documents issued in English
only and some in Latin.
The Department for Education and Science has
overall responsibility for the education system
in Ireland, at primary, secondary and tertiary
levels, including the university sector. The Higher
Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC)
is in charge of accreditation of non-university
institutions and programmes. HETAC also awards
qualifications and delegates awarding powers to
recognised institutions. In the vocational sector the
Further Education and Training Awards Council
(FETAC) makes awards and accredits programmes.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is responsible
for the development and funding of higher
education institutions. Since 1999, the National
Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) has been
responsible for establishing and maintaining the
National Framework of Qualifications.

Fraud risk assessment and

advice
There is no standard degree format in Ireland.

Degree certificates may be in portrait or landscape
format, with the name of the institution and normally
its logo at the top. The seal and the stamp of the
institution, along with signatures of authority (such
as the registrar or chancellor) are at the bottom of
the certificate.
Several known degree mills are associated with

Ireland, although they may not necessarily be
located there. However, educational fraud is not a
major issue in Ireland.

broken down into semesters. They normally include
information such as the title of the qualification
awarded, the date of graduation, the marks
achieved in individual modules and the overall
grade awarded. They may also include information
such as the number of credits awarded, the
students date of birth, the duration of the course
and the students registration number.
Listings of accredited institutions can be found on

the website of the Department for Education and
Science.
TAFE NSW
IRELAND
Ireland
Example of genuine certificates from Ireland
TAFE NSW
IRELAND
Ireland
Example of genuine certificates from Ireland
TAFE NSW
IRELAND
Japan
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Japanese
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Lower Secondary ....
School Leaving
Certificate
(Chugakko Sotsugyo
Shomeisho)
School Leaving
Certificate
Upper Secondary ....

School Leaving
Certificate
(Kotogakko
Shomeisho)
Secondary level
Vocational & Combination Upper Secondary Schools .....
(eg. courses in engineering, agricultural & commercial
taken alongside general education)
Vocational Colleges ..................................................

(eg. courses in health & hygiene, home economics &
medical care)

Vocational Colleges .................................................
(eg. courses in agriculture, health & hygiene, home
economics, practical commerce etc)
3 years........................ Upper Secondary School ... AQF Certificate III

Leaving Certificate
(Kotogakko Sotsugyo
Shomeisho)
3 years........................ Vocational School upper ... AQF Certificate III
secondary course Diploma
(Senshu Gakko koto-ka
Sotsugyo Menjo)
1-2 years .................... Vocational Advanced ........ AQF Certificate IV

course Certificate of
Completion (Senshu Gakko
senmon-ka Shuryo Shosho)
Trades
Education
Vocational Education
Training takes place at a Junior College ......................
(Tanki Daigaku)
It is focussed on acquiring specific skills in one of the
following occupational areas:
Biology, Culinary Arts, Dental Technology, Design, Home
Economics, Information Technology, Office Management
1 year ........................ Junior College Special ...... AQF Certificate III

Programme Certificate
(Tanki Daigaku Bekka
Shuryo Shosho)
JAPAN
Japan
Language of
instruction
Japanese
Pre-Requisites
Junior College ........

Graduates

Trades
Training takes place at a Junior College (Tanki Daigaku).
It is focussed on developing specific skills in one of the
following occupational areas:
Art, Dietician, Industrial Technology, Librarian, Literature,
Medical Laboratory Technology, Music, Nursing, Occupational
Theory, Orthoptics, Physical Therapy, Radiologic Technology,
Teacher Education
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

1 year ........................ Junior College Special ...... AQF Diploma

Course (Tanki Daigaku
Senko-ka Shuryo Shosho)
Teacher Education
School Leaving
Certificate and 2
stage entrance
exams
As above ...............

School Leaving
Certificate and 2
stage entrance
exams
Teachers (Primary/Secondary)
Universities ............................................................
Teachers Primary and Lower Secondary

Junior College .........................................................
Teachers Secondary
Universities ............................................................
4 years ...................... Bachelor of Education ....... Australian Bachelor Degree

(and First Class Teachers
Certificate on passing
examination upon
graduating)
2 years ...................... Associate Degree/ ............ AQF Diploma
Diploma in Education
(Jun-Gakushi) (and
Second Class Teachers
Certificate. However upon
successful completion of
five years experience and
45 educational credits this
may be upgraded to a First
Class Teachers Certificate)
2 years ...................... Masters Degree in ............ Australian Masters Degree
Education (Shushi)
(and Advanced Class
Teachers Certificate)
JAPAN
Japan
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Japanese
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Higher Education
School Leaving
Certificate & an
entrance exam
Technology Colleges (koto-senmon gakko) ..................

(eg. courses in range of engineering & technology field)
5 years (FT) ................. Associate Degree ............ AQF Advanced Diploma

(Jun-Gakushi)

School Leaving
Certificate
Junior Colleges (tanki-daigaku), Special Training ..........

School/College (senshu gakko)
2 years (FT) ................. Associate Degree............... AQF Advanced Diploma

School Leaving
Certificate and 2
stage entrance
exams
Universities (daigaku) ...............................................
4 years ........................ Bachelor Degree ............... Australian Bachelor Degree

(Gakushi-shogo)
Bachelor ................
...........................................................................
2 years ....................... Masters Degree ............... Australian Masters Degree

(Shushi-go)
Masters ................
...........................................................................
3 years ........................ Doctorate/ PhD ................. Assessed individually

(Hakushi-go)
Adult Education
Adults (anyone) ......
Vocational Colleges .................................................

(eg. courses in home economics & culture)
1week 1 year ........... General Course ................. AQF Certificate II

(after one year)
Certificate of Completion
(Shenshu Gakko ippan kosu
Shuryo Shosho)
JAPAN
Japan
Language
All original documents are issued in Japanese and
can be also issued in English as requested.
All levels of education are managed by the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology (MEXT). The administration of
primary and secondary is shared by MEXT (mainly
Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau),
the prefectural government and the municipal
government. The Higher Education Bureau within
the MEXT is responsible for the establishment and
approval of both private and public universities and
the conferring of degrees.

All certificates should include the following

information: signature of the principle, seal of the
institution, course completed, degree granted,
certificate number, date of birth, date of issue.
Dates shown in Japanese are written in Japanese
Emperor Date, which consists of eras based on the
reigning emperors. The two latest emperors are
Akihito and Hirohito and their eras are Heisei
(
from 1989) and Showa (
from 1926).
Transcripts are issued in various styles. But they
always have a signature of the authority, seal,
credits completed.

Advice
Fraudulent documents are rare.
Degree certificates (
) and Graduation
Certificate (
or
)
are issued directly from the institutions and do not
have a national standard format. They can be in
both portrait or landscape style on A3 or A4 size
paper. Two styles are most often seen:
Traditional Japanese style, which uses

Japanese calligraphy written vertically from
right to left in landscape style. This style is
more often used in original certificates, which
are issued when courses are successfully
completed. Occasionally they are in portrait
style, written horizontally from left to right.
Print style is issued both in Japanese and

English on A4 size paper in portrait. It is more
often seen when the original degree certificates
are no longer available or for associate degrees.
JAPAN
Korea (Republic of)

Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Korean
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Secondary level
Vocational High Schools (eg in areas Agriculture, .........
Technical/ Industrial, Commercial etc)
High School Diploma

and entrance exam
(CSAT)

Junior Vocational Colleges (or Junior Colleges) ............
(Chonmun Taehak)
(eg in areas technical, agricultural, nursing,
commercial, business etc)
As above ...............
Technical Colleges ...................................................

(also known as national polytechnic universities)
3 years .................... Vocational High School ...... AQF Certificate II

Diploma
2-3 years ................... Associate Degree/ ............ AQF Diploma
Junior College Diploma
2 years ....................
Diploma ......................... AQF Diploma

(eg in Technology,
Commerce) .
4 years ....................
Bachelor ......................... Australian Bachelor Degree

(predominantly in technical
areas)
Trades
Elementary ...........
Education
Trade schools were phased out in the early 90s due to

lack of demand. But until that time it provided students
at middle secondary level skills for the workplace
1-3 years................... Unknown......................... AQF Certificate I

(only if 3 years)
Teacher Education
High School Diploma
and entrance exam
(CSAT)
Teachers (Kindergarten/ Primary)

Junior Colleges, Universities of Education ..................
4 years ..................... Bachelor of Education ....... Australian Bachelor Degree

and classified to teach at
elementary level
4 years ..................... Bachelor of Education ....... Australian Bachelor Degree
from a prestigious
institution
2 years ..................... Junior College Diploma ..... AQF Diploma
in Education (until 1994)
KOREA
Korea (Republic of)

Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Korean
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Teacher Education
As above ...............
Universities ............................................................
.............................................................................
4 years ...................... Bachelor of Education ....... Australian Bachelor Degree

and classified to teach at
secondary level
2 years ...................... Masters Degree ............... Australian Postgraduate
Diploma
in Education
2 years ...................... Masters Degree .............. Australian Taught Masters
Degree
in Education from a
prestigious institution
Higher Education
High School Diploma
and entrance exam
(CSAT- score 250)
Universities ............................................................
4-6 years ................... Bachelor Degree .............. Australian Bachelor Degree

(depending on subject
area)
Bachelor and .........

entrance exam
.............................................................................
2 years ....................... Masters Degree ............... Australian Postgraduate

Diploma
Masters ..............
.............................................................................
.................................. Masters Degree .............. Australian Taught Masters

in Education from a
Degree
prestigious institution
2 years........................ PhD/ Doctorate ................ Assessed individually
KOREA
Korea (Republic of)

Languages
Original documents are issued in Korean and can
be issued in English if institutions are notified in
advance.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources
Development (MoE & HRD) oversees all levels of
education in South Korea. Full listing of recognised
universities and junior colleges can be found on
government website listed in the appendix.
At tertiary level, both private and public universities
are coordinated through the Korean Council for
University Education (KCUE) which also conducts
institutional and program evaluation. All nationally
recognised universities, both public and private, are
required to become members of the KCUE by law.
seal of the institution. A number of institutions

have watermark on their documents, also when
photocopied, COPY and institutions logo or name
show on the background.
Transcripts always contain information like student
number, faculty, date of admission, date of birth,
date of graduation, date of degree conferred,
credits obtained, grades and GPA. Some may
also give an explanation of the institutions grading
system. Transcripts are always signed by the Dean
of Academic Affairs.

Advice
Fraudulent documents are relatively rare in Korea.

Korea does not have standard degree format. Both
degree certificate and transcripts are issued by the
individual institutions. Documents, especially recent
ones, are generally of very good quality. Degree
certificates in Korean are generally in portrait
(landscape occasionally) style and bear a logo of
the institution (either on top or on the background),
signature or stamp of the principal and/or dean of
academic affairs and/or dean of the department,
seal of the institution. English versions of the
degree certificates tend to follow the same format.
Name of the institution on top, followed by date and
certificate number. Degree and personal details are
listed in two columns, followed by a short statement
This is to certify. On the bottom, there is always
the signature of the Dean of Academic Affairs and
KOREA
Korea (Republic of)

The following documents are typical examples of English language versions of Korean degree
certificates and transcripts.
KOREA
Korea (Republic of)

The following documents are typical examples of English language versions of Korean degree certificates and transcripts.
KOREA
Lebanon
Language of
instruction
Arabic
French
English
(or a combination)
The Lebanese
education system
is currently under
review. TAFE NSW
Institutes will be
informed of any
changes to this
information in due
course.
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study


Brevet ...................
Secondary School level

Technical Secondary School ......................................
Brevet Professionnelle
Baccalaureat .........
Libanais
Post-Secondary level
Technical and Vocational Institutes .............................
Brevet Professionnelle
3 years ...................... Diplome de Technicien ........ AQF Diploma

Superieur
5 years ...................... Diplome de Licence ............ AQF Advanced Diploma
Technique
Baccalaureat
Technique
Brevet ...................
2 years ...................... Baccalaureat Technique ...... AQF Certificate II

Certificat de Formation
Profissionnelle.
Trades
Technical Secondary Schools ....................................
3 years ...................... Certificat dAptitude ............ AQF Certificate I

Professionelle
Teacher Education
Baccalaureat ..........
AQF Certificate IV
Primary Teacher Training Institutes .............................
3 years ....................... Teaching Diploma ...............
Universities (Faculties of Education) ............................
5 years ....................... Bachelor of Education/......... Australian Associate Degree

Certificat dAptitude
Pedagogique de lEnseigment
Secondaire
LEBANON
Lebanon
Language of
instruction
Arabic
French
English
Pre-Requisites

Higher Education
Universities ............................................................
First Stage
3-5 years ................... Licence, Licence ................ Australian Associate Degree

d Enseignment, Bachelor
Degree, Diploma, Scientific
Maitrise (undergraduate)
Licence, ................
Bachelor Degree
(Some universities
require an exam)
Second Stage ........................................................
1-2 years ................... Masters Degree/................ Australian Masters Degree

(specialised studies)
The Maitrise/Doctorat de
Troisime Cycle
Completion of Stage
II Qualifications
Third Stage .............................................................
Baccalaureat ........
(or a combination)
The Lebanese
education system
is currently under
review. TAFE NSW
Institutes will be
informed of any
changes to this
information in due
course.
Years of Study
Diplome dEtudes ..............

Superieures
Diplome dEtudes
Approfondies
Thesis or .................... Doctorate .........................

3 years
LEBANON
Lebanon
Languages
Documents are issued in Arabic, French or English
(or a combination).
For private institutions, the government decrees

relating to the setting up of the University/College
and Faculty are included.
Verification of documents can be obtained from

individual universities. The Ministry of Higher
Education also holds a list of all the decrees relating
to the establishment of private universities and
colleges, which can be used to verify the date and
title of a specific award from a specific institution.
At primary and secondary level, education is

overseen by the Ministry of Education.
Public education at tertiary level is overseen by the
Ministry of Higher Education.
Courses from private institutions of higher
education are accredited on an individual basis.
When a new private University is set up (or a
new faculty at an established private university)
the government issues a decree (consisting of a
number and adate). This decree demonstrates that
awards from this University/faculty are deemed
equivalent to awards from public institutions. The
process of comparing degrees and diplomas from
private institutions to the standards set by the
Ministry of Higher Education is the responsibility of
the Commission of Equivalences.

Advice
The large number of private and foreign-backed
institutions in Lebanon raises the risk of fraudulent
documents. However, as students with awards
from private institutions must obtain individual
certification of their documents, in person, from the
Commission of Equivalences in Beirut, this offers
some degree of protection.

Lebanese certificates do not follow a standard
format as documents are issued by individual
universities. Institutions that issue documents in
one language generally use portrait format, whereas
those that issue dual language certificates generally
use landscape format. Documents in Arabic tend to
use highly decorative, fully vowelled script.
Certificates are headed with the name of the
University and Faculty where the student has
studied.
LEBANON
Lebanon
Example of Lebanese Baccalaureate Certificate (Arabic Version)
LEBANON
Lebanon
Example of Lebanese Baccalaureate Certificate (French Version)
LEBANON
Malaysia
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Malay and English
Secondary level
Technical and vocational schools
PMR examination .....
MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat ) Skills Training Institutes
12 years ....................Malaysian Certificate ........ AQF Certificate II

of Vocational Education SPMV
(Sigil Pelajaran Malaysia
Vokesynal)
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
Open Certificate
Vocational Unified ............. AQF Certificate II
Examination (VUE)
Malaysian Skill Certificate
Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia
(SKM):
SKM Level 1 ..................... Below AQF Certificate I
SKM Level 2 ..................... AQF Certificate II
SKM Level 3 ..................... AQF Certificate IV
SPMV, or SPM
(Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia), or
STPM (Sijil Tingi
Pelajaran Malaysia
Malaysian Higher
School Certificate) ....
Polytechnics, MARA Advanced Skills Training Institutes
(British, German and French), Private colleges Institutes,
Community Colleges, Industrial Training Institutes,
Agricultural Colleges/Institutes, Advanced Technology
Training Centre
...............................................................................
2 4 years .................. MARA Certificate ............... AQF Certificate IV

Advanced Diploma ............. AQF Advanced Diploma
.................................. Diploma in Technology ....... AQF Diploma

Industrial Diploma
Certificate in Agriculture ..... AQF Certificate IV
TAFE NSW
MALAYSIA
Malaysia
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Trades
Malay and English
PMR examination....... Industrial Training Institutes

or
(pre-employment technical programmes )
SPM
12 years .................... Certificate ....................... AQF Certificate III

Diploma .......................... AQF Certificate IV
Teacher Education
Primary
SPM or STPM ........... Teacher Training Institutes (Institut Purguran)
Secondary
University
MDT ....................... ...............................................................................
3 Years
Malaysian Diploma in
Teaching (MDT) ................ AQF Certificate IV
2 years full-time
3 years part-time
Bachelor of Education ....... Bachelor Degree
SPM ......................
...............................................................................
4 years ....................... Bachelor of Education ....... Bachelor Degree
Bachelor Degree ......
...............................................................................
1 year ......................... Postgraduate diploma in

Education ........................ Postgraduate Diploma
Higher Education
SPM or STPM ...........
Public and private universities

University Colleges
3 years ....................... Diploma (90 credits) ......... Advanced Diploma

36 years ................... Bachelor (120 credits) ....... Bachelor Degree
Bachelor Degree ......
...............................................................................
12 years ................... Masters Degree ............... Masters Degree
Masters Degree ......
...............................................................................
12 years ................... Doctoral Degree ............... Doctorate
TAFE NSW
MALAYSIA
Malaysia
Languages
Documents are generally issued in Malay.
An English version is easily available.
Accreditation
The Ministry of Education (MoE) is responsible for
all national education. However, other ministries
also offer some vocational training programmes.
At tertiary level, there are currently 13 universities
excluding the polytechnics and teacher training
colleges which have been established in the public
sector and the quality of education offered by these
institutions is monitored by the MoE. In the private
sector, the responsibility lies with the Malaysia
Qualifications Agency (MQA), previously known as
National Accreditation Board (LAN) until November
2007, a statutory body under the Ministry of
Education, which was officially launched in 1998.
MQAs main function is to act as an independent
body ensuring the standard and quality of
certificate, diploma and degree courses run by the
Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs).
Accreditation involves three phases:
Application to the MQA for approval to conduct
courses

Private higher education institutions apply to

MQA via the Department of Private Education
(DPE) of the Ministry of Education for
accreditation of their courses.
Achievement of minimum standards

All approved courses of study have to achieve

the minimum standard as specified by MQA
before they can award the qualifications for the
relevant course.
Fraud risk assessment

Receiving the certificate of accreditation

The accreditation certificate demonstrates that

the certificate, diploma and degree courses are
in accordance with the standards set by MQA.

Fake Malaysian qualifications are not a big issue

as verification can be obtained from Malaysian
institutions. However, it is known that some
Malaysian nationals hold fake American degrees, as
Malaysia has been targeted by international degree
mills.
Malaysian national secondary certificates are issued

in standard formats and in both English and Malay
(e.g. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Malaysia Certificate
of Education, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia
Malaysia Higher School Certificate).
The logo of MoE is on the top of the certificates,
with Ministry of Education Malaysia on the right
and Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia on the left
followed by a short statement of the Examinations
Syndicate, the title of the certificate, and the
students personal details. Subjects, grades and
GCE standard are also listed. The bottom of
certificates always bears a signature of the Director
of Examinations and the certificate number. The key
to the grades is on the back of the certificate.
Degrees do not follow a standard format and can
be issued in English and Malay. Public institutions
tend to have their names in Malay (occasionally
Arabic and Chinese are used) and a logo on top of
the certificates. Degrees from private institutions
vary greatly. For accredited courses, MQA provides
labels for the final certificates. However, it is not
compulsory to have MQAs logo on it. Certificates
are always signed by the Vice Chancellor, Dean or
Registrar. Transcripts list all the subjects passed,
grades and units / credits, and are signed by the
Registrar.
TAFE NSW
MALAYSIA
Netherlands
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Dutch
Basisschol .............
(Junior secondary)
or LBO (Lager
Beroepsonderwijs)
Diploma
Secondary Level
Junior Schools ............................................................... 4 years ........................ MAVO ............................. AQF Certificate I
(Middlebar Algeemen
Voortgezet Onderwjis)
Diploma (before 1999)
VMBO ............................. AQF Certificate I
(Voorbereidend Middlebar
Beroepsonderwijs) Diploma
VMBO or MAVO .......
MBO or HAVO .........

(Hoger Algemeen
Voortgezet) Senior
General Education)
MBO (Middlebar Beroepsonderwijs) education

Secondary schools
MBO Level 1 .............................................................
MBO Level 2 ............................................................
MBO Level 3 ............................................................
MBO Level 4 ............................................................
6 months 1 year .........

23 years ....................
24 years ....................
34 years ...................
MBO Level 1 ....................

MBO Level 2 ....................
MBO Level 3 ....................
MBO Level 4 ....................
AQF Certificate I
AQF Certificate II
AQF Certificate II
AQF Certificate IV
MBO Diploma ................... AQF Certificate IV

(before 1999)
Higher Vocational Education
Hoger Beroepsonderwijs (HBO) .................................... 4 years ........................ HBO Degree .................... Bachelor Degree
Institutes
Trades
10 years ................
of education
Training colleges and employment

Apprenticeships are 2 years full time comprising 40%
theory and 60% practical training
Primary apprenticeship (Primair) .................................. 2 years F/T................... Diploma .......................... AQF Certificate III
Primair ..................
Advanced (Voortgezet) ...............................................
2 years F/T................... Diploma .......................... AQF Certificate IV
Voortgezet .............
Tertiary (Tertiair) .......................................................
2 years F/T................... Diploma .......................... AQF Diploma
TAFE NSW
NETHERLANDS
Netherlands
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
Dutch
Primary
Senior General ......... Hogescholen ............................................................
Secondary Education
(Havo)
Secondary
VWO or MBO ........... HBO Colleges
Universities
Grade I Teach all levels of secondary school ...............
4 years F/T .................. Higher Professional

Education Diploma (HBO) ... Bachelor Degree
4 years ....................... Eerstegraads Bevoegdheid... Bachelor Degree
Grade II Teach Junior Secondary ............................... 4 years ....................... Tweedegraads ................. Bachelor Degree
Bedvoegdheid
General Education (MAVO), Junior Secondary Vocational
Education (LBO), Senior Secondary Vocational Education
(MBO) ans Senior Secondary General Education (HAVO)
Higher Education
HAVO/VWO Diploma,
HBO propeadeutic or
MBO
Undergraduate
Universities and Hogescholen ...................................... 3 6 years ................... Doctoraal Degree ............. Bachelor (Honours) Degree
Kandidaatsexamen ........... Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree .............. Bachelor Degree
Hoger Beroepsonderwijs ... Bachelor Degree
(HBO Higher Professional
Education Diploma)
Propedeuse ..................... Diploma
3 year Bachelor .......
Postgraduate
Universities
...............................................................................
1 year ......................... Master ........................... Masters Degree
Doctorandus HBO ......
..............................................................................
4 year research program Doctorate Degree ............. Doctorate
TAFE NSW
NETHERLANDS
Netherlands
Languages
Dutch is the official language in the Netherlands
and thus academic and professional documents are
mainly issued in Dutch. Latin can occur as the main
language in university certificates. In some cases,
whole documents can be in English, especially
those related to international study programmes.
The Netherlands has a hereditary monarchy with a
parliamentary system. Education comes under the
responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Culture
and Science.
Since the Bologna reform, responsibility
for accreditation has been allocated to the
Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands
and Flanders (NVAO). Students will be awarded
recognized degrees only after completing an
accredited degree programme. Official programmes
will be listed in the Central Register of Higher
Education Programmes (CROHO). International
higher education institutions are recognised by the
Dutch Ministry of Higher Education rather than the
NVAO.


Advice
There is no standard degree format in the

Netherlands. Degree certificates are usually in
portrait style, with the institutions name and the
official seal of the institution at the top. Signatures
of authority (eg voorzitter, directeur/directrice or
secretaresse) are on the bottom of the page, along
with the date and place where the certificate has
been signed. Usually, the title of the degree is in the
centre of the certificate. The name of the candidate
is often in italics and/or bold and in the upper half of
the certificate
The Netherlands is not very prone to education

fraud. However, there are a few non-accredited
universities that operate within the borders of the
Netherlands. They often work with international cooperation.
Fraudulent documents are also quite rare.
Transcripts (cijferlijst) are issued by the institutions

and are broken down into courses and modules,
but not necessarily into semesters. They normally
include information such as studied subjects,
obtained marks and achieved grades. They may
also include information such as the number of
credits awarded, the students date of birth and the
duration of the course.
Higher education comprises higher professional

education (HBO) and university education. These
types of education are provided by HBO institutions
(Hogescholen) and universities respectively.
TAFE NSW
NETHERLANDS
Netherlands
Example of a Bachelor Degree from a Hogeschole in English
TAFE NSW
NETHERLANDS
New Zealand
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

English
Year 8 ...................
Secondary Level
Secondary Schools ........................................................ 25 years .................... National Certificate Level 1... Certificate I
National Certificate Level 2... Certificate II
National Certificate ... Polytechnics, Industrial Training Organisations, private
Level 2
training establishments, Institutes of Technology
National Certificate Level 3... Certificate III

35 years .................... National Certificate Level 4... Certificate IV
National Diploma Level 5.... Diploma
National Diploma Level 6.... Advanced Diploma
National Diploma Level 7.... Bachelor Degree
New Zealand Diploma ........ Diploma
of Business
New Zealand Technicians.. Certificate IV
Certificate
Trades
Work based apprenticeships ..........................................
Apprenticeships comprising 50% theory plus 50%
practical training
TAFE NSW
24 years ..................... National Certificate III ........ Certificate III

National Certificate IV ........ Certificate IV
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
English
National Certificate
of Educational
Achievement 2 ........
of Educational
Achievement 3 ........
of Educational
Achievement 3
Bachelor .................
Pre-Primary
Public colleges of Education, ITPs, wananga private
training establishments
3 years ......................... Advanced Diploma of

Teaching ........................... Bachelor Degree
Primary
Universities
.....................................................................................
Secondary
Universities...................................................................
....................................................................................
34 years ..................... Bachelor of Teaching

Bachelor of Education ........ Bachelor (Honours) Degree
12 years ...................... Graduate Diploma in
Teaching ........................... Bachelor Degree
4 years ......................... Bachelor (Honours) ............ Bachelor Honours Degree
1 year ........................... Graduate Diploma .............. Bachelor Degree
Higher Education
Bachelor Ordinary Degree
Bachelor Degree
of Educational
Achievement 3, or
New Zealand Bursary
A or B levels, New
Zealand University
Entrance
Institutes of Technology, wananga, universities
Bachelor .................
....................................................................................
13 years ..................... Post graduate Certificate.... Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate Diploma........ Postgraduate Diploma
Bachelor ................
....................................................................................
13 years ...................... Masters Degree ................ Masters Degree
Bachelor (Honours)
Degree or Masters...
....................................................................................
2 years plus thesis ........ Doctoral Degree ................ Doctorate
TAFE NSW
35 years
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand
Languages
English and Maori are both official languages
in New Zealand. Most documents are issued in
English.
The Ministry of Education has overall responsibility
for the education system in New Zealand
and specific responsibilities are designated
to several organisations. The New Zealand
Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is responsible
for the accreditation of secondary and tertiary
qualifications and education providers. The
NZAQ administers the New Zealand Register
of Quality Assured Qualifications, which lists all
quality assured qualifications in New Zealand
and provides international benchmarks for New
Zealand qualifications. It also registers national
qualifications on the National Qualifications
Framework (NQF). The Tertiary Education
Commission (TEC) is responsible for monitoring
the funding and performance of tertiary education
institutions and for implementing educational
policies and strategies. The New Zealand ViceChancellors Committee is responsible for quality
assurance in the university sector.


advice
There is no standard degree format in New Zealand.

Degree certificates may be issued in landscape
or portrait format, with the name of the institution
and normally the logo at the top of the certificate.
The seal and signatures of authority (such as the
chancellor or registrar) are at the bottom.
Several known degree mills are associated with

New Zealand, however educational fraud is not
a major issue. Verification of documents can be
obtained directly from the institutions.
Transcripts are issued by the institutions and

normally include information such as the title of the
qualification awarded and the marks obtained for
each module. They may include details such as the
students date of birth, identification number and
the number of credits awarded.
Listings of accredited programmes and institutions

can be found on the websites of the NZQA and the
New Zealand Vice-Chancellors Committee.
TAFE NSW
NEW ZEALAND
Pakistan
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

English and Urdu

Secondary School ....
Certificate (Grade 10)
Polytechnics, Colleges of Technology, Commercial
Institutes
13 years ...................... Certificate in Commerce .... AQF Certificate I

(1 year)
Diploma in Commerce ...... AQF Certificate II
(2 years)
Diploma (3 years) .............. AQF Certificate III
Middle School ..........

(Grade 8)
Trades
Vocational Institutes, Technical Training Centres and
Technical Training Institutes
TAFE NSW
12 years ...................... Skilled Worker Certificate... AQF Certificate I

and 70 80% practical Grade 3 (1 year)
work
Skilled Worker Certificate... AQF Certificate II
Grade 2 (2 years)
PAKISTAN
Pakistan
Language of
instruction
English and Urdu
Pre-Requisites
Diploma ...................

Higher Education
Colleges of Technology...................................................
Higher Secondary ..... Universities ...................................................................

School Certificate
Years of Study

2 years ......................... Bachelor of Technology ...... AQF Diploma

(Pass)
3 years ......................... Bachelor of Technology ...... Australian Bachelor degree
(Honours)
2 years ......................... Bachelor of Arts (Pass) ...... NSW Higher School Certificate
3 years ......................... Bachelor of Arts (Honours)... AQF Diploma
2 years ......................... Bachelor of Science (Pass).... AQF Diploma
3 years ......................... Bachelor of Science .......... AQF Advanced Diploma
(Honours)
Bachelor .................
.....................................................................................
4 years ......................... Bachelor Degree .............. Australian Bachelor Degree

in a professional field
1 year .......................... Post Graduate Diploma ...... Australian Bachelor Degree
3 years ......................... Bachelor Degree in Law ..... Australian Bachelor Degree
2 years ......................... Masters Degree ................ Australian Graduate
Certificate
2 years (research-based) Master of Philosophy ......... Australian Graduate Certificate
Masters Degree ....... .....................................................................................
TAFE NSW
3 years study ............... Doctoral Degree ................ Master of Philosophy Degree

and research
PAKISTAN
Pakistan
Language of
instruction
English and Urdu
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
Primary
Secondary School ..... Normal schools, Public colleges for elementary teachers
Certificate (Grade
year 10)
Secondary (grades 68)
Higher Secondary ..... Teacher training colleges ...............................................
School Certificate
Universities
Universities, National Academy of Higher Education,
Institutes of Education, Colleges of Advanced Training ....
Technical and Vocational
Higher Secondary ..... Technical Teacher Training Centre ..................................
School Certificate,
Polytechnic Diploma ...
1 year ........................... Primary Teaching .............. AQF Certificate II

Certificate
1 year ........................... Teaching Certificate .......... AQF Certificate III

3 years +1 .................... Bachelor plus 1 year ........... AQF Diploma
full-time Bachelor of
Education
4 years ......................... Bachelor of Education ........ AQF Advanced Diploma
1 year ........................... Masters of Education ........ Australian Bachelor Degree

1 year ........................... Polytechnic Diploma .......... AQF Certificate III
3 years ......................... Bachelor of Education ......... AQF Diploma
in Technical Teacher
Training
TAFE NSW
PAKISTAN
Pakistan
Languages
Documents are issued in English and in Urdu.
The accreditation of higher education institutions
(HEIs) in Pakistan is carried out by the Higher
Education Commission (HEC). They provide
listings of all accredited institutions in Pakistan
and also the date from which they have received
accreditation. The HEC also provides listings of
affiliated colleges and of foreign institutions allowed
to provide collaborative programmes in Pakistan.
There are a number of illegally operating campuses
in Pakistan which may also be listed by the HEC, so
when assessing a degree from a private Pakistani
institution the following checklist should be
followed:
Check full name of the institution


advice
There are a variety of degree formats in Pakistan.

The majority of universities issue them in a
bilingual format with both Urdu and English on the
document. Some universities such as the University
of the Punjab, also produce a monolingual version
in English. Documents are often pro-forma
diplomas with the individuals details typed in the
relevant spaces. It was common for documents to
be filled in on a typewriter until relatively recently.
Documents come in both landscape and portrait
format.
There haven been a number of cases of false

documentation from Pakistan issued by degree
mills. It is suggested that in all cases, individuals
present full sets of documentation, including
secondary school and post- secondary school
documentation, transcripts and final awards.
When in doubt the TAFE NSW central unit
responsible for the development of policy
guidelines and resources on the recognition
of overseas qualifications should be consulted
regarding documents issued in Pakistan
Transcripts vary hugely in quality and until recently

it was not uncommon to have handwriting on the
documents.
Check the campus address

Check the date of award
Check the country of award (is the award from
the Pakistan campus of a foreign provider)
If it is a foreign provider, the permission to operate
in Pakistan should be taken into consideration.
Secondary awards are provided by the board of
secondary and intermediate study in each region of
Pakistan.
TAFE NSW
PAKISTAN
Pakistan
Example of a genuine Bachelor of Arts from the University of Karachi
TAFE NSW
PAKISTAN
Pakistan
Below is an example of a fake Bachelor degree certificate from the University of the Punjab, note the incorrect format. Bilingual documents
are landscape rather than portrait.
TAFE NSW
PAKISTAN
Pakistan
An example of another fake Bachelor degree from the University of the Punjab. This one attempts to copy the monolingual certificate issued
by the university. The fonts, spacing and wording are all incorrect.
TAFE NSW
PAKISTAN
Pakistan
An example of another fake Bachelor degree from the University of the Punjab. This one attempts to copy the monolingual certificate issued
by the university. The fonts, spacing and wording are all incorrect.
TAFE NSW
PAKISTAN
Philippines
Language of
instruction
English
Filipino
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Primary School .......
High School Diploma
High School Diploma
Secondary level
Vocational Secondary Schools ..................................
Technical & Vocational schools, .................................
(eg courses in Secretarial Practice, Electrical
Technology)
Vocational Institutions or Schools ...............................
offering course in the following areas:
Agricultural Education, Humanities, Social Science and
Communications, Information Technology, Medical and
Health-Related Courses, Engineering and Architecture,
Science and Mathematics Education, Teacher Education,
Business Education Authority
Age 16+ and ..........

Entrance
Examination
Trades
Public/Private Technical and Vocational Schools/..........
Training Centres
Apprenticeship training comprising at least one-hour
theoretical instruction for every 20 hours on the job
For Apprenticeships following the dual system it equals 20%
theoretical and 80% on the job.
4 years .................... High School Diploma ......... AQF Certificate I

3-4 years ................. Certificate ........................ AQF Certificate IV
(often entitled a Certificate
of Proficiency or Diploma
less common)
1-2 years .................. Certificate or Diploma ....... AQF Certificate II
1 year
2 years............................ AQF Certificate III
Duration is dependent ... National Certificate I ........ Below AQF Certificate I

on the individual
(Operator Certificate / 3rd
and how long it
Class Certificate)
takes to complete all
competencies
National Certificate II ........ AQF Certificate I
(Craftsman Certificate/2nd
Class Certificate)
PHILIPPINES
Philippines
Language of
instruction
English
Filipino
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Trades
Age 16 + ...............
and Entrance
Examination
It offers specialisation in the following areas: .....................

Agriculture and food, Automotive, Construction, Electronic,
Furniture and Fixture Sector (Wood-based/Design and
Manufacturing), Garments, Metal Engineering, Tourism
................................. National Certificate III ........ AQF Certificate II

(Technician Certificate/1st
Class Certificate)
National Licence (NL) ......... AQF Certificate III
(Master Craftsman/
Advanced Technician
Characteristics)
Midwifery Certificate
Teacher Education
High School Diploma
& University
Admission Test
High School Diploma

& University
Admission Test
As above ................
Universities ..............................................................
Higher Education
4 years........................ Bachelor of Secondary ....... AQF Diploma

Education or Bachelor of
Science in Elementary
Education
.
Bachelor in Secondary ....... Australian Bachelor Degree
Education/Bachelor of
Science in Elementary
Education from a Centre of
Excellence or a prestigious
university
Community Colleges .................................................
2 years ....................... Associate Degree .............. AQF Certificate III
Universities ..............................................................
4 years ....................... Bachelor Degree ............... AQF Diploma

Bachelor Degree ............... Australian Bachelor Degree
from a Centre of Excellence
or prestigious university
PHILIPPINES
Philippines
Language of
instruction
English
Filipino
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Higher Education
Bachelor...............
Universities ...........................................................
2 years ...................... Masters Degree ................ Australian Bachelor Degree

Masters Degree ................ Australian Post Graduate
from a Centre of Excellence Diploma
or a prestigious institution
Masters ...............
...........................................................................
3 years....................... PhD .................................. Australian Masters Degree

PhD / Doctorate ................. Assessed individually
from a Centre of Excellence
or a prestigious institution
PHILIPPINES
Phillipines
List of Centres of Excellence and prestigious universities
National Teachers College
Centres of Excellence for Agricultural Engineering

Cavite State University
Mariano Marcos State University
University of the Philippines (Los Baos)
Visayas State College of Agriculture
Centres of Excellence for Architecture

Saint Louis College of Tuguegarao
Saint Louis University
University of Santo Tomas
University of the Philippines (Diliman)
Western Mindanao State University
Centres of Excellence for Agriculture
Benguet State University

Cagayan State University
Cavite State University
Central Luzon State University
Central Mindanao University
Panay State Polytechnic College
University Of Rizal System-Rizal State College
University of Southern Mindanao
Centres of Excellence for Biology
Ateneo de Davao University

Ateneo de Manila University
De La Salle University
Mindanao State University (Iligan)
Silliman University
University of San Carlos
University of the Philippines-Baguio
University of the Philippines-Manila
University of the Philippines-Visayas
Centres of Excellence for Business

Ateneo de Naga
Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Saint Paul University
Silliman University
University of San Jose-Recoletos
University of St. La Salle
Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Ceramics Engineering

Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of
Technology
Centres of Excellence for Chemical Engineering

Adamson University
Central Philippine University
Mapua Institute of Technology
University of Mindanao
University of the Philippines-Diliman
Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Chemistry

Mindanao State University (Marawi)
Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Civil Engineering

Adamson University
Cagayan Capitol Colleges
Leyte Institute of Technology
Saint Marys University

Samar State Polytechnic College
Technological University of the Philippines
University of La Sallette
Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Communication Arts

Centres of Excellence for Computer Engineering

Adamson University
Aquinas University
Centres of Excellence for Distance Education

University of the Philippines-Open University
Centres of Excellence for Economics

Centres of Excellence for Electrical Engineering

Adamson University
Bulacan State University
Holy Angel University
Technology
Tarlac State University
University of Southeastern Philippines
Western Institute of Technology
Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Electronics and

Communications Engineering
Adamson University
PHILLIPINES
Phillipines
Technology
University of Southeastern Philippines
Wesleyan University Philippines
Centres of Excellence for Engineering and

Architecture Education

University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City
Centres of Excellence for English
Ateneo De Manila University

Centres of Excellence for Filipino
Philippine Normal University
Centres of Excellence for Fisheries
Bicol University-Tabaco
Cagayan State University-Aparri
Pangasinan State University-Binmaley
State Polytechnic College of Palawan
Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and
Technology
Centres of Excellence for Foreign Languages

Centres of Excellence for Forestry

Isabela State University-Cabagan
University of the Philippines-Los Baos
Centres of Excellence for Geodetic Engineering

Pamantasan ng Araullo
Centres of Excellence for Geology
Adamson University
Centres of Excellence for History
Centres of Excellence for Industrial Engineering

Adamson University
Holy Angel University
Centres of Excellence for Information Technology

Education
Angeles University Foundation
Asian Development Foundation College
Ateneo de Naga
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Baguio Colleges Foundation
Cebu Institute of Technology
De La Salle Aguinaldo-Dasmarias
East Asia College
Lorma College
Mindanao State University (Marawi)
Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute
of Technology
Misamis University
Notre Dame of Marbel University
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
St.Columban College
University of La Sallette
University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos
Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Journalism

Centres of Excellence for Literature

Centres of Excellence for Marine Science
Silliman University
Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and
Technology
Centres of Excellence for Mathematics

Mindanao Polytechnic State College
Technology
Centres of Excellence for Medicine
Cebu Institute of Medicine

Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Mechanical Engineering

Adamson University
Bulacan State University
Technology
Pablo Borbon Memorial Inst. Of Technology
Silliman University
Western Institute of Technology
Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Metallurgical

Engineering

Technology

Mindanao State University-Naawan
PHILLIPINES
Phillipines
Centres of Excellence for Mining Engineering

Centres of Excellence for Music

Centres of Excellence for Nursing
Liceo de Cagayan
San Pedro College
Silliman University
St.Pauls Iloilo
Centres of Excellence for Philosophy

Centres of Excellence for Physics

Technology
Silliman University
Centres of Excellence for Political Science

Centres of Excellence for Psychology

Centres of Excellence for Sanitary Engineering

Baguio Colleges Foundation
University of Baguio
Centres of Excellence for Science and

Mathematics
Ateneo de Davao University - Davao City

Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
Cagayan State University - Tuguegarao, Cagayan
Central Luzon State University - Munoz, Nueva Ecija
Central Mindanao University - Malaybalay, Bukidnon
De La Salle University - Manila

Mindanao Polytechnic State College - Cagayan de
Oro City
Mindanao State University - Naawan Campus
Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of
Technology - Iligan City
Siliman University - Dumaguete City
University of San Carlos - Cebu City
University of Santo Tomas - Manila
University of the Philippines - Baguio
University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City
University of the Philippines - Los Banos
University of the Philippines - Manila
University of the Philippines - Visayas - (Miag-ao
Iloilo)
Xavier University - Cagayan de Oro City
Zamboanga State College of Marine Science &
Technology - Zamboanga City
Centres of Excellence for Veterinary Medicine

Prestigious State Universities
Asian Institute of Management

University of the Philippines
Centres of Excellence for Sociology

Xavier University
Centres of Excellence for Teaching Education
Aquinas University - Legaspi City

Ateneo de Davao University - Davao City
Bicol University - Legaspi City
Leyte Normal University - Tacloban City
Mariano Marcos State University - Laoag City
Mindinao State University - Marawi City
Notre Dame of Jolo
Notre Dame of Marbel University - Koronadal,
Cotabato
Palawan State University - Puerto Prinsesa City
Philippine Normal University - Manila
San Nicolas College
Siliman University - Dumaguete City
St.Louis University - Baguio City
St. Marys University - Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
St. Paul University - Tuguegarao, Cagayan
University of San Carlos - Cebu City
University of San Jose Recoletos - Cebu City
West Visayas State Univesity - Iloilo City
Western Mindanao State University - Zamboanga
City
Xavier University - Cagayan de Oro University
PHILLIPINES
Phillipines
Languages
Filipino and English are both official languages in
the Philippines. Most documents (especially recent
ones) are issued in both languages. Occasionally,
documents are issued in Latin.
At primary and secondary level, the responsibility
lies on the Department of Education (DepED). At
tertiary level, prior to 1994, the Bureau of Higher
Education under with the Department of Education
Culture and Sports (DECS) took the responsibility
for higher education. The Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) was established in 1994 and
is the governing body covering both public and
private higher education institutions as well as
degree-granting programs in all tertiary educational
institutions in the Philippines.
Private HEIs are required to obtain Special
Order (S.O.) for certificate, diploma and degree
programmes they offer. This number should be
shown on students final certificate and transcripts.
However, the Level II, III and IV accredited
institutions are exempted from this requirement,
along with the State Universities and Colleges
(SUCs). SUC is also known as chartered institutions,
and do not need CHEDs approval to offer
academic programmes.

There is no standard degree format in the
Philippines. Degree certificates are usually in
landscape style, with the institutions name and
sometimes logo on top. Seal and signatures of
authority (eg president, registrar and deans of the
faculty) are on the bottom. The S.O. number should
also be on the final certificate when required.
always broken down into semesters. They normally
include the information such as degree(s) conferred,
date of graduation, entry level, duration of the
course, total credits obtained, date of birth, religion
and S.O. number if required.
For professions which require registration, a licence
or registration card is also presented together with
the degree. These documents are issued by the
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and
generally are indication of the accreditation of the
degree programmes.

Advice
Fraudulent documents are not rare in the
Philippines, and individuals can also obtain degrees
from international degree mills.
Listings of accredited programmes and institutions

can be found on CHEDs website.
PHILLIPINES
Phillipines
Example of Degree Certificate and Transcripts
PHILLIPINES
Phillipines
PHILLIPINES
Phillipines
PHILLIPINES
Phillipines
Example of Midwifery Certificate
PHILLIPINES
Russian Federation
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Russian
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Diploma of .............
Incomplete General
Secondary Education
(Grade 9 or 11)
As above ...............
Secondary level
Basic initial vocational training
Vocational/Technical school ............
(ProfessionalnoeTechnicheskoe Uchilishche (PTUs)
Involves blocks of theoretical, industrial and practical training
with an element of general education
Advanced initial vocational training

Vocational lyceum (Professional Litsei) ......................
Involves blocks of theoretical, industrial and practical training
with an element of general education
Diploma of .............
Incomplete General
Secondary Education
(Grade 9) or Grade 11

Middle level vocational education
Specialised Technical College (Teknikum) ................
Secondary Specialised College (Uchilishche)
Practical training and Theoretical training 50% of each.
1-212 years ................

(entry at Grade 9) in
rudimentary crafts or
trades
1-112 years .................
(entry at Grade 11)
Diploma of Initial .............. AQF Certificate II

(Diplom o nachalnom
Professionalnom
obrazovanii) with the title
of Qualified Worker (in a
particular occupation)
3-4 years ...................

(entry at Grade 9)
1-112 years
(entry at Grade 11)
Diploma of Initial .............. AQF Certificate III

(Diplom o nachalnom
Professionalnom
obrazovanii) with the title
of Qualified Worker (in
a particular occupation
Including the Attestat
3 years .....................
(at least, entry at Grade 9)
2-3 years ...................
(entry at Grade 11)
Diploma of Middle Level .... AQF Certificate IV

Vocational Education (Diplom
o Srednem Professonalnom
Obrazovanii (Bazovii Uroven)
College Diploma ............... AQF Diploma
with the Title of Junior
Engineer (Diplom ob
okonchaniikolledzha po
vtoroi stupeni - Mladshii
inzhiner)
As above ...............
Colleges (Kolledz) ....................................................
4-412 years ...............

(entry at Grade 9)
312-4 years ...............
(entry at Grade 11)
Diploma of Middle ...

Level Vocational
Education (Diplom
o Srednem
Professonalnom
Obrazovanii (Bazovii
Uroven)
College (Kolledzi) ....................................................
1 year ........................ Diplom o Srednem ........... AQF Advanced Diploma

Specialnom /
Professionalom Obrasovanii
(Poveishenni Uroven)
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Russian
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Trades
Part of the Vocational secondary/post secondary
education system described above.
Teacher Education
Diploma of .............
Incomplete General
Secondary Education
(Grade 9) or Grade 11
Entrance Exam after
Grade 9/Grade 11
School Certificate
and entrance exam
Teachers (Primary and Basic Secondary)

Secondary Specialised Colleges ................................
(Pedagogical uchilishche), Colleges
Primary non-university level educational institutions .....

(technikums, uchilisches), colleges
Teachers (Upper Secondary)

Universities, pedagogical institutes ...........................
4 years (FT) ...............

(entry at Grade 9)
3 years (FT)
(entry at Grade 11)
Diploma of Middle Level ..... AQF Diploma

(Diplom o Srednem
Professionalnom
Obrazovanii)
3-4 years (Grade 9) ...... Specialised Secondary ...... AQF Advanced Diploma
Diploma advanced level
2 years (Grade 11)
(Diplom on Okonchanii
Srednego Spetsialnogo
Uchebnogo Zavedeniya)
4 years (FT) ............... Bachelor of Education ....... Australian Bachelor Degree
(Bakalavr)
4-5 years (FT) ............ Diploma of Specialist ........ Australian Bachelor Degree
in pedagogy(Diplom ob
Okonchanii Vysshego
Uchebnego Zavedeniya)
Higher Education
Secondary Education
(Attestat o srednem
(polnom) obshchem
obrazovanii) and
entrance exam
Universities ............................................................
2 years .....................
(issued on request of
student midway
through Bachelor or
Specialist Diploma
program)
Diploma of Incomplete ....... AQF Diploma

Higher Education (Diplom
o Nepolnom Vusshem
Obrazovanii)
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Russian
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Higher Education
Secondary Education
(Attestat o srednem
(polnom) obshchem
obrazovanii) and
entrance exam
Universities .......................................................
Bakalavr ...............
...........................................................................
1-2 years.................
Master or ...............
Specialist Diploma
...........................................................................
3 years ..................... ....................................... Assessed individually

(research + thesis)
Magister or ............
Specialist Diploma
...........................................................................
No fixed duration......... Doctor Nauk ..................... Assessed individually

(Doctor of Sciences
4 years .....................
Bachelor Degree .............. Australian Bachelor Degree

(Bakalavr)
5-6 years .................. Diploma of Specialist ......... Australian Bachelor Degree

(eg. in Engineering, Law,
Medicine etc)
Masters Degree (Magister) Australian Post-graduate

Kandidat Nauk (Candidate Diploma
of Sciences)
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation
Languages
Documents are issued in Russian and occasionally
in English and Russian when awarded to a nonRussian national.
Up until August 1996, there were two federal
bodies that managed the education system in
Russia: the Ministry of Education of the Russian
Federation and the State Committee of the Russian
Federation for Higher Education. The Ministry of
Education was responsible for the development
and implementation of state policy in pre-school,
general and vocational education, while The State
Committee for Higher Education was responsible
for overseeing state policy in post-secondary
education, which included all non-university and
university level higher education, and doctoral
studies. In August 1996, these two federal bodies
were merged into one ministry with combined
functions called the Ministry for General and
Professional Education of the Russian Federation.
In 1999 it was renamed and now exists as The
Ministry of Education. Main responsibilities and
functions include the following:
Financing of State Educational Establishments

Setting up State Educational Establishments
Quality control (licensing, attestation, and state
accreditation of educational institutions)
Setting and maintaining State Educational
standards
Attestation and evaluation procedures for the
teaching and administrative staff
Curricular design
The direct funding of educational
establishments set up under their authority

Educational documents (diplomas and transcripts)
in Russia all follow a national format, issued by
the Ministry of Education. The shape and format
of the final diploma differs according the level of
education it represents, and is usually accompanied
by a Prilozhenie k Diplomu (Transcript), which
details all the subjects taken as part of the course
and the grades achieved.
All Russian Diplomas are issued in the standard
state booklet format with the word Diplom always
appearing at the top on the right hand side,
regardless of the level of education it represents.
Just below this there is a short code consisting
of numbers (referring to the year the booklet was
printed) and a letter, C, B orM, which refers to the
type of award:C: Specialist Diploma, B: Bakalavr
(Bachelor) and M: Magistr (Master). State diplomas
also have several security features, which are only
visible in UV light. An image of green laurel and a
hidden image of the Russian two-headed eagle
appear on the right hand side of the document,
when held under UV light. The left hand side of the
diploma booklet shows the Russian crest at the top,
as well as the date of issue and registration number
at the bottom. However, the location of the date of
issue may vary depending on the year of printing.
The latest batch of diplomas (printed in 2002) shows
the date in the bottom left-hand corner, whereas
the slightly older diplomas (printed in 1996) show
the year of printing in the bottom right-hand corner.
Given the generic use of the word Diploma
across the education system in Russia, a copy
of the original diploma in Russian should always
be presented together with the translation. As a
general rule, a portrait diploma usually represents
higher education and landscape usually represents

post-secondary or college level education. It
is worth noting that if photocopies of original
documentation are presented, the word Kopiya
should appear across the top of the diploma and
throughout the transcript.

advice
The risk of fraud in Russian educational
documentation during Soviet times was extremely
low, given the strict control of the state over higher
education institutions and their educational activity.
State diplomas are easily recognisable and are only
likely to be queried if the format differs in any way,
which at that time would have been very rare.
However, more recently there have been reports of
a large number of agencies in Russia now selling
both the new and old style Russian diplomas,
certificates and transcripts. Students who have
achieved low marks may also request a new
transcript showing higher marks, which when
presented with an authentic diploma makes this
harder to spot. This service is advertised openly on
websites and is a major concern in Russia today.
As well as problems with documentation, it is also
worth being aware of the increase in private higher
education institutions since 1991 and their standing
and accreditation in Russia. A number of these,
such as the International University of Fundamental
Studies, St Petersburg have licenses for educational
activity but the qualifications awarded are not
recognised by the Russian Ministry of Education.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation
Example of Russian Bakalvr Diploma.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation
Example of bilingual Specialist Diploma awarded to foreigners.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Singapore
Language of
instruction
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Secondary Level
Primary School ......... Normal Technical .........................................................
Leaving Certificate
Certificate of ............
Education Normal
(GCE N-level)
Singapore/Cambridge
GCE O Level
National Technical
Certificate
Industrial Technician
Certificate
Diploma, Singapore/
Cambridge GCE
A Level
Institute of Technical Education ....................................
Polytechnics (5)
Courses at sub-degree level ........................................
24 years ..................... Singapore-Cambridge ......... AQF Certificate I

General Certificate of
Education Normal
(GCE N-level)
Singapore-Cambridge ....... NSW School Certificate
Education Normal
(GCE O-level)
2 years F/T ................... National Technical Certificate.. AQF Certificate III
2 years ......................... Industrial Technician .......... AQF Certificate III
Certificate
2 years ......................... National ITE Certificate ...... AQF Certificate III
2 years
Higher National ITE ............ AQF Certificate IV
Certificate
1 year .......................... Master National ITE .......... AQF Diploma
Certificate
2 years ......................... Certificate ......................... AQF Certificate IV
3 years F/T .................... Diploma ............................ AQF Diploma
...................................................................................
TAFE NSW
1 year ........................... Advanced Diploma ............ AQF Advanced Diploma

1 2 years P/T ............... Specialist Diploma ............. AQF Advanced Diploma
SINGAPORE
Singapore
Language of
instruction
English
Pre-Requisites
Certificate of ...........
Education Normal
(GCE N-level)
Years of Study

Trades
Workforce Development Agency, and the Institute of

Technical Education (theory and practical training)
..................................... WSQ (work skills

qualifications)
13 years ...................... WSQ Certificate ................. AQF Certificate II
WSQ Higher Certificate ...... AQF Certificate III
WSQ Advanced Certificate.. AQF Certificate IV
WSQ Diploma/ .................. AQF Diploma
Professional Diploma.
WSQ Specialist ................. AQF Advanced Diploma
WSQ Graduate .................. Australian Masters Degree
Certificate/ Diploma
Singapore/ ...............
Cambridge GCE .A
Level
Teacher Education
National Institute of Education ......................................
4 years ......................... Bachelor in Education ........ Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor with .......... .....................................................................................

Post-Graduate ..........
2 years ......................... Diploma in Education ......... Australian Associate Degree
.....................................................................................
TAFE NSW
12 years ...................... Advanced Post-Graduate ... Australian Postgraduate

Diploma in Education .
Diploma
2 years ......................... Masters of Education ........ Australian Masters Degree
SINGAPORE
Singapore
Language of
instruction
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Higher Education
Singapore/Cambridge Universities
GCE A Level .............. .....................................................................................
35 years ...................... Bachelor Degree ............... Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor Degree ....... .....................................................................................
2 years F/T .................... Postgraduate Diploma ....... Australian Postgraduate

Diploma
Bachelor Degree ....... .....................................................................................
Course work and ........... Master Degree .................. Australian Masters Degree
examination or research
and thesis
Master Degree .......... ....................................................................................
25 years F/T study ...... Doctor of Philosophy .......... Doctorate

and research and thesis
TAFE NSW
SINGAPORE
Singapore
Languages
English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are the official
languages of Singapore. Majority of documents
are issued in English. Bilingual and quadlingual
documents are often seen too.
Accreditation
The Ministry of Education has overall responsibility
in education policy formulation and implementation.
It also controls the development and administration
of public education providers and registration of
private schools. At the higher education level it
mainly provides funding, offers policy guidance
and quality assurance. The Ministry of Manpower is
responsible for adult and technical training and also
recruiting overseas workers to fill skills shortages.
Notes on degree formats and

requesting information
There is no unified degree format in Singapore.
Individual institutions have their own style. In
general, the certificates and some transcripts are
well protected with water-mark, microprint and
other security devices. Transcripts can be issued
and delivered directly to a third party, although a
fee is normally charged.
The TAFE NSW central unit responsible for the
development of policy guidelines and resources
on the recognition of overseas qualifications can
be consulted regarding further information on
documentation from Singapore.
Fraud risk assessment

Diploma mills are known operating actively in
Singapore.
The risk of fraudulent documents in Singapore is
relatively low as documents (particularly those from
public universities) are well protected and can be
verified without much difficulty. However there are
a few diploma replacement services operating
in the neighbouring countries that are targeting
Singaporean institutions. These fake certificates
are quite often bought outside Singapore to gain
admission into foreign universities.
Singapore has a large number of registered private

schools and colleges. The quality of education
provided by private institutions varies greatly and
their qualifications should be assessed on an
individual basis. Some institutions may also have
affiliations with foreign universities, particularly
those in the UK, Australia and China and courses
validated by their foreign partners.
TAFE NSW
SINGAPORE
Singapore
Old style A level certificate (issued in four languages)
TAFE NSW
SINGAPORE
Singapore
TAFE NSW
SINGAPORE
Singapore
TAFE NSW
SINGAPORE
South Africa
Language of
instruction
Afrikaans or English
or in another
language where
appropriate
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study


Grade 9 / Standard 7.....
Secondary Level and Pre Tertiary

N14 (national technical training at further education
and training colleges) ....................................................
SEE TRADES BELOW
Grade 12 or N4 ............
N5N6 advanced trade training ......................................
N5/N6 .........................
Completion of N6 + two years .......................................

of supervised work experience
Post-Secondary Level/Tertiary Level

Senior Certificate ....... Technikons, now known as Universities of Technology
or Further Education and
Training certificate
1 year each N level ........ National Technical Certificates

N1 ................................... AQF Certificate I
N2 ................................... AQF Certificate II
N3 ................................... AQF Certificate III
N4 ................................... AQF Certificate IV
1 year each N level ........ National Technical
Certificates
N5 ................................... AQF Diploma
N6 ................................... AQF Advanced Diploma
48 years depending on
entry route .................... National Diploma ............... Australian Associate Degree
1 year ........................... National Certificate ............ AQF Certificate IV

in Technology (S2)
2 years ......................... National Higher Certificate.. AQF Diploma
in Technology (S4 )
3 years ......................... Diploma in Technology ...... Australian Bachelor Degree

(DipTech) or National
Diploma (S4+P1/ P2/T3)
National Diploma ......... Workplace training ........................................................ Min 1 year ..................... Higher Diploma and ......... Australian Bachelor Degree
Further Diploma (T4)
Diploma in Technology.... Technikons, now known as Universities of Technology...... 4 years ......................... Bachelor of Technology ..... Australian Bachelor Degree
(Baccalaureus Technologiae)
Bachelor of Technology.. ....................................................................................
(Baccalaureus
Technologiae)
Masters Degree ...........
in Technology
.....................................................................................
TAFE NSW
1 year research project... Masters Degree ............... Australian Masters Degree

in Technology
2 year research project... Doctorate in Technology...... Australian Doctorate
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa
Language of
instruction
or in another
language where
appropriate
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Trades
Grade 8, 9 or 10 ........... N-training (national technical training at further
education and training colleges)
N1-3 craft training, utility services
Learnerships
Work based education and training programs
(apprenticeships in traditional trades). Learnerships
require registration and agreement between the learner,
employer and the training institution.
1 year each N level ........ National Technical

Certificates
N1 .................................... AQF Certificate I
Min 1 year ..................... National Technical
Certificates
N1 ................................... AQF Certificate I
Teacher Education
Teacher Education Institutions ( national and local level)
Pre-primary and Primary
Senior Certificate ......... Teacher Training Colleges ............................................... 1 year ............................ Advanced Certificate ........ Australian Bachelor Degree
in Education
Senior Certificate.........
Universities ...................................................................
Secondary
Senior Certificate ......... Universities...................................................................
Bachelor of Education... .....................................................................................
3 years .......................... Diploma in Education......... Australian Associate Degree

(until 2002)
4 years .......................... Higher Diploma ................. Australian Bachelor Degree
in Education (until 2002)
4 years .......................... Bachelor of Primary/........... Australian Bachelor Degree
Pre-Primary Education
4-5 years........................ Bachelor of Arts in Education... Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor of Science ........... Australian Bachelor Degree
in Education
Bachelor of Music ............. Australian Bachelor Degree
in Education
1 year ............................ Postgraduate Certificate..... Australian Graduate Certificate
in Education
1 year ............................ Postgraduate Diploma ....... Australian Graduate Diploma
in Education
TAFE NSW
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa
Language of
instruction
or in another
language where
appropriate
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Higher Education
Universities, universities of technology, comprehensive
universities
SEE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ABOVE
FOR TERTIARY VOCATIONAL COURSES
Senior Certificate ...... .....................................................................................
36 years ..................... Bachelor Degree ................ Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor Degree ....... ....................................................................................

with Honours
1 year ........................... Postgraduate Diploma ....... Australian Graduate Diploma
Bachelor Degree ....... .....................................................................................

with Honours
12 years research ........ Masters Degree .............. Australian Masters Degree
Masters Degree ....... ....................................................................................
2 years research ........... Doctorate .......................... Australian Doctorate

minimum
TAFE NSW
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa
Languages
Documents at tertiary level are issued in English,
Afrikaans and Latin. At secondary level they may be
issued in English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Zulu, Xhosa,
Sepedi, Setswana or Swati.
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) holds
readily available online lists of qualifications from
national and private education providers. The
awards registered with SAQA are benchmarked
against the South African National Qualifications
Framework (NQF). Qualifications can be checked
online.


advice
Degree formats do not follow a standard pattern

and each university has its own style of certificate
format and transcript format. Degree formats tend
to be simple with little embellishment or decoration.
The vast majority of degree certificates, however, are portrait
format and centrally aligned to the university crest.
International reports suggest that South Africa

is experiencing serious difficulties with the mass
circulation of fraudulent documents. It is strongly
recommended that full sets of educational
documents are requested, including transcripts and
entry qualifications to tertiary awards. For certain
professions registration with the relevant body in
South Africa is obligatory (medicine, teaching etc.).

development of policy guidelines and resources on
the recognition of overseas qualifications can be
consulted regarding documents issued in South
Africa.
TAFE NSW
It should be noted that there have been significant

changes in the names and make up of South
African institutions. Degrees from before 2004 may
come from institutions that no longer exist in their
previous form.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa
TAFE NSW
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa
TAFE NSW
SOUTH AFRICA
Sri Lanka
Language of
instruction
Sinhala
Tamil
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


General Certificate ..
of Education
(O Level)

Technical Colleges, polytechnical institutes .................
2 years ...................... (National) Certificate .......... AQF Certificate IV

(eg in business and crafts,
commerce, engineering)
of Education (O Level
or A Level)
.............................................................................
2-3 years ................... National Diploma ............... AQF Diploma

(eg. agriculture, business
studies, home economics etc)
of Education
(A Level)
.............................................................................
4 years ...................... Higher National Diploma .... Australian Associate Degree

(HND) (in accounting &
commerce)
2 years ...................... National Certificate ........... AQF Certificate IV
in Technology
2-3 years................... National Diploma .............. AQF Diploma
in Technology
Trades
Junior Secondary ....
Education
Short Training Courses .............................................

Technical Colleges
6-10 months .............. National Craft Certificate..... AQF Certificate I
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka
Language of
instruction
Sinhala
Tamil
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Teacher Education
GCE Ordinary level in
6 subjects including
first language and
mathematics
Certificate in ...........
Pre-school education
3 GCE Advanced ......

levels and six GCE
Ordinary levels
General Certificate ...

of Education (A
Level-3 passes) + 2
years experience in
school
3 GCE Advanced ......
levels and six GCE
Ordinary levels
Teachers (Pre-Primary)
Department of Early Childhood Education ....................
.............................................................................
Teachers (Senior Primary)

Teacher Training Colleges / Universities ......................
1 year ......................... Certificate in Pre-school .... AQF Certificate III

Education
1 year ........................ Advanced Certificate ........ AQF Certificate IV

in Pre-School Education
3 years ...................... Trained Teachers Diploma Australian Associate Degree

(Primary) (post 1985)
4 years ....................... Bachelor of Education ....... Australian Bachelor Degree
Degree
Teachers (Junior Secondary)

Teacher Training Colleges .........................................

Universities ............................................................
2 years ...................... Trained Teachers ............. AQF Advanced Diploma

Certificate (Primary)
(post 1981)
Trained Teachers ............ AQF Diploma
Certificate (Primary)
(prior 1981)
2 years ...................... Trained Teachers ............. AQF Advanced Diploma
Certificate (Secondary)
(post 1981)
2 years ...................... Trained Teachers ............. AQF Diploma
Certificate (Secondary)
(prior 1981)
3 years ...................... Trained Teachers Diploma Australian Associate Degree
(Secondary) (post 1985 )
4 years ....................... Bachelor of Education ....... Australian Bachelor Degree
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka
Language of
instruction
Sinhala
Tamil
English
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Teacher Education

Universities ............................................................
.............................................................................
1 year ........................ Diploma in Education......... Australian Graduate Diploma

Post Graduate
1-2 years ................... Master of Education ......... Australian Masters Degree
Higher Education
Education (A Level)
Universities ............................................................
3 years ...................... Bachelor (General Degree) Australian Bachelor Degree

4 years ....................... Bachelor (Special or .......... Australian Bachelor Degree
Professional Degree)
Bachelor .............
.............................................................................
1 years ...................... Postgraduate Diploma ....... Australian Graduate Diploma

2 years ...................... Masters Degree ............... Australian Masters Degree
Masters or Bachelor
(Special Degree)
.............................................................................
2-3 years ................... Doctorates........................ Assessed individually
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka
Languages
Documents are issued in English, Sinhala and
Tamil. Most documentation at tertiary level is
issued in English only.
At primary and secondary level, education is

overseen by the Ministry of Education.
At tertiary level, education is overseen by the

Ministry of Higher Education.
Institutions of higher education are accredited

by the University Grants Commission.
A comprehensive system of quality assurance

has been under development since 2001. The
first body formed to oversee this system was
the Commission on Quality Assurance. It aimed
to establish the following quality assurance
mechanisms:

Secondary school documents follow a standard
format:
50 - 74%
Credit
35 - 49%
Pass
0 - 34%
Fail
The document most commonly presented by

students at O (Ordinary) and A (Advanced) level
is a results schedule. This document is written
in Sinhala, Tamil and English and is issued by
the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka
Tertiary level documents do not follow a standard

format:
Documents may be portrait or landscape

format, and although most documents are only
in English, they may also include the Sri Lankan
national languages of Sinhala and Tamil
Most documents include handwritten

information such as the students name, the
date, and the degree awarded. This information
is written in decorative, cursive script
Different universities use different signatures on

their documents, though most will use the Vice
Chancellor and the Registrar.
At the head of the document is the students

name and address (in English only). Beneath this
is the level of the qualification (O or A Level),
the centre number where the student took the
examination and a unique index number
The students name is repeated (again in English

only), followed by a table outlining the subjects
studied and the students results
All students must complete the Common

General Test and the General English test, so
marks for these subjects will always be included

advice
Prior to 2001, Sri Lanka used the following

grading system at O Level:
Sri Lanka does not present the same scope

for educational fraud as neighbouring India.
However, as a result its facilities for detecting and
reporting fraud are also less developed. Unlike its
Indian counterpart, the Sri Lankan UGC does not
4. Sri Lankan Credit Transfer Scheme

The Quality Assurance and Accreditation
Council was founded in 2005 to implement
a framework for quality assurance and
accreditation within Sri Lankan universities.
Distinction
3. Subject Benchmarking and Academic

Standards
It is therefore not unexpected that students with

high percentage marks will also have D or C
grades.
1. Academic Procedures Handbook

2. Sri Lankan Qualifications Framework
All documents include the national symbol of Sri

Lanka, (below) in the top left hand corner:
75 - 100%
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka
Example of O Level certificate
maintain a list of illegally operating or substandard
institutions. If there is any doubt about the quality
or legality of a Sri Lankan institution it may therefore
be advisable to contact TAFE MEU.
Sri Lankan documents (notably at tertiary level) may
also be vulnerable to fraud as they not generally
include security features such as watermarks and
modern laser printing techniques. If there is any
doubt over individual documentation, it is advisable
to contact TAFE MEU, which may be able to provide
confirmation that the student in question was a
bona fide student and achieved the qualification
that has been presented.
It is also worth bearing in mind, when dealing with
educational documents from Sri Lanka, that an
intermittent civil war has been going on (particularly
in the north of the country) since the 1980s. This
has led to many thousands of deaths and extensive
disruption. This disruption (as well as that caused
by the 2004 tsunami which killed around 40,000
people) may have presented opportunities for
the fraudulent acquisition of national documents,
though it is true that law and order never
disintegrated in Sri Lanka as it did in other countries
affected by civil war and this does not represent a
significant risk.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka
Example of A Level certificate
Example of degree certificate issued in English
SRI LANKA
Thailand
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Thai
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Lower secondary ....
(Grades VII IX,
Maw 1-3)
Secondary level
Upper Secondary Schools .........................................
(vocational stream eg. agriculture, home economics,
business studies, arts & crafts and engineering)
As above ..............
Vocational schools, technical colleges ........................

(Grade XII Maw 6)
& entrance exam
/Certificate of
Skill level

Rajamangala Institutes of Technology (RIT), Department
of Vocational Education (DOVE) Technical Colleges, King
Mongkuts Institute of Technology)
Diploma of .............
.............................................................................
3 years ....................... Certificate of Vocational .... AQF Certificate Il

Education Skill level
(Por Wor Chor)
1 year ........................ Tradesmans Certificate ..... AQF Certificate I
/Certificate in Vocational
Education
2 years ....................... Diploma of Vocational ....... AQF Certificate IV
Education/ Higher
Certificate (Technician
Level) (Por Vor Sor)
2 years ....................... Higher Diploma ................ Australian Associate Degree

of Technical Education
(Por Tor Sor)
Trades
(Grade IX)
Rajamangala Institutes of Technology (RIT), Department

of Vocational Education (DOVE) Technical Colleges, King
Mongkuts Institute of Technology
(eg courses in: trade and industry, commerce, home
economics, arts & crafts, agriculture & fisheries)
3 years ..................... Certificate in Dual

Vocational Training (DVT) ... AQF Certificate Il
(combined college &
training in workplace)
Certificate in Dual ...

Vocational Training
(DVT)
.............................................................................
2 years ...................... Diploma in Dual ................ AQF Certificate IV

Vocational Training (DVT)
(combined college &
training in workplace)
THAILAND
Thailand
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Thai
Years of Study

Teacher Education
Completion of .........
Grade XI
(Grade XII Maw 6)
Teacher (Primary)
Teacher Training Colleges .........................................
Teacher (Lower Secondary)
Rajabhat Universities ...............................................
2 years ....................... Higher Certificate of ............ AQF Certificate IV

Education/Diploma of
Education
2 years ....................... Associate Degree ................ AQF Advanced Diploma
Teacher (Upper Secondary)

Rajabhat Universities ...............................................
4 years ....................... Bachelor of Education .......... Australian Bachelor Degree
Associate Degree ....
...........................................................................
2 years ....................... Bachelor of Education .......... Australian Bachelor Degree
...........................................................................
1 year ........................ Graduate Teaching Diploma... Australian Bachelor Degree

(Grade XII Maw 6)
2 years........................ Master Degree in Education... Australian Masters Degree

(Grade XII Maw 6)
& national entrance
exam
Higher Education
Universities ..........................................................
4 years ....................... Bachelor Degree ................. Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor ................
.............................................................................
2 years ....................... Masters Degree ................. Australian Post-graduate

Diploma
Masters ................
.............................................................................
3 years ....................... PhD/ Doctorate ................... Assessed individually
THAILAND
Thailand
Language
Original documents are normally issued in Thai.
However, tertiary documents can be issued in
English, especially for international programmes.
The Ministry of Education, which was restructured
in July 2003, has overall responsibility for all
levels of education in Thailand. This responsibility
is divided between Commission on Basic
Education and Vocational Education Commission
and Commission on Higher Education (known
as Ministry of University Affairs prior 2003).
Commission on Higher Education supervises
and co-ordinates both public and private
universities and publishes recognised Higher
Education Institution listing. Private universities
are encouraged in Thailand, but the criteria for
the recognition are stricter than those for public
institutions.

Thailand does not have a standard degree format.
Degrees and transcripts are issued by individual
institutions.
Transcripts are signed by the registrar.

Advice
Fraudulent documentation is a big concern in
Thailand. Fake degree certificates with transcripts
can be easily purchased in Bangkok and other big
cities. A couple of international degree mills are also
known operating in Thailand.
Office for National Education Standards and Quality

Assessment, a public organisation, is responsible
for development of criteria and methods of external
evaluation, conducting evaluation of educational
achievements in order to assess the quality of
institutions. According to the Thai Education
Law, all educational institutions shall receive
external quality evaluation at least once every five
years since the last exercise and the results of
the evaluation shall be submitted to the relevant
agencies and made available to the general public.
THAILAND
Thailand
Example of degree certificate issued in English
THAILAND
Thailand
Example of transcripts issued in English
THAILAND
United Kingdom
Language of
instruction
(England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland)
Pre-Requisites
English
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Secondary level
England, North Ireland, Wales

Comprehensive School, Secondary Modern, Academic
Secondary Schools, City Technology Colleges (CTC)
2 years ...................... Vocational General ........... AQF Certificate II

(work on the GCSE
Certificate of Secondary
begins in the 4th year
Education (Voc GCSE)
of secondary so the
qualification is only 2
years long)
Secondary Education
(GCSE)
School (Sixth Form), Further Education Colleges ..........
2 years ...................... Advanced Vocational ........

Certificate in Education
(AVCE)
Primary (7 years) .....
Scotland .............................................................
4 years
Primary (6 years) ....
AQF Certificate IV
Scottish Group Award

SCQF 5............................. AQF Certificate II
SCQF 6............................. AQF Certificate III
SCQF 7............................ AQF Certificate IV
GCSE (with 2 passes

grade C or above)
Schools, Colleges of Further Education .......................

(eg in areas agriculture, animal care, motor vehicle
studies etc)
1 year (PT) (3 units)....... BTEC First Certificate.......... AQF Certificate II
GCSE (with 4 passes

grade C or above)/
BEC First Diploma
..........................................................................
1 year (FT) (6 units)....... BTEC National Award ......... AQF Certificate IV

2 years (FT) (12 units).... BTEC National Certificate.... AQF Certificate IV
2 years (FT) (18 units).... BTEC National Diploma ...... AQF Certificate IV
GCE A Level, AVCE

/BTEC National
Diploma/Certificate
...........................................................................
1 year ........................ BTEC Higher National ........

Certificate
1 year (FT) (6 units)....... BTEC First Diploma ...........
AQF Certificate II
AQF Diploma
2 years (FT) ................. BTEC Higher National ......... Australian Associate Degree
Diploma
2 years (FT) ................. Foundation Degree ............ Australian Associate Degree
UNITED KINGDOM
United Kingdom
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
English

Scotland
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

AQF Diploma
Scottish Highers .....
Colleges .................................................................
1 year ........................ Higher National Certificate

(12 National Unit)
Scottish Highers/ ....

Scottish Advanced
Highers/Higher
...........................................................................
2 years....................... Higher National Diploma .... Associate Degree

(30 National Unit)
(Age 16-19 years old)
Trades
Further education Colleges, Sector Skills Councils and
training centres
2-4 years ................... NVQ 1/NVQ2 ...............

Dependant on the
and Technical Certificate
individual and how long
(combined)
AQF Certificate II
it takes to complete all

the competencies and be
assessed in the workplace
(Age 16-25 years old)
Primary (7 Years) ....
Completed .........
secondary school
(4 years)
...........................................................................
Scotland
................................. NVQ 3 .............................. AQF Certificate IV

and Technical Certificate .
Scottish Further Education Colleges and Training

Centres, Local Enterprise Companies and Sector Skills
Councils
2-4 years ................... SVQ 1 ............................. AQF Certificate I

Dependant on the
SVQ 2 .............................. AQF Certificate II
individuals pace of
..........................................................................
..............................
learning and how long

it takes to complete all
the competencies and be
assessed in the workplace
SVQ 3 ............................. AQF Certificate IV

and Technical Award
(combined)
SVQ 4, NVQ 4 .................... AQF Advanced Diploma
Undertaken as ........... SVQ 5, NVQ 5 .................... Australian Masters Degree

professional
development whilst in
employment at CEO level
UNITED KINGDOM
United Kingdom
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
English
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Teacher Education
GCE A Levels ..........
Teacher (Primary/ Secondary)

Universities, College of Higher Education .....................
4 years ...................... Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Bachelor ...............
.............................................................................
1 year......................... Postgraduate Certificate ..... Australian Graduate

Certificate
of Education (PGCE)
Higher Education
GCE A levels/BTEC ..
Nationals/AVCE
levels/NVQ 3
Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education, .............

Universities
2 years...................... Foundation Degree............ Associate Degree

1 year (FT) ................. Certificate in Higher .......... AQF Diploma
Education (CertHE)
2 years ...................... Diploma in Higher ............. Associate Degree
Education (DipHE)
GCE - Advanced ......

Level (3 passes at A
level)
Universities ............................................................
3 years ...................... Aegrotat Degrees .............. Australian Bachelor Degree

(non completion of First
Degree)
3 years ...................... Bachelor (Ordinary) ........... Australian Bachelor Degree
3 years ...................... Bachelor (Honours) ........... Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor ...............
Masters .................
.............................................................................
.............................................................................
1 year ........................ Masters .......................... Australian Masters Degree

2 years ...................... Master of Philosophy ........ A standard between an
and an Australian Doctorate
Degree
Doctor
of
Philosophy..........
3 years ......................
Higher Doctorate
UNITED KINGDOM
United Kingdom
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
English
Scottish Higher level
(or SVQ 3)

Higher Education
Scotland
Universities ............................................................
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

3 years ...................... .Bachelor (Ordinary Degree)
4 years ...................... Bachelor (Honours Degree)
Bachelor ...............
.............................................................................
1 year (taught) ............ Masters ..........................
Masters ...............
.............................................................................
3 years ...................... PhD.................................
Australian Doctorate
UNITED KINGDOM
United Kingdom
Languages
Documents may be issued in English, Welsh or
Latin
Edexcel (Examzone)
OCR (Oxford and Cambridge and RSA)
SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority)
The Department for Education and Skills (DFES)

is responsible for the registration and recognition
of educational providers in the United Kingdom.
There are 131 higher education institutions in the
UK that have degree awarding powers (known
as recognised bodies) as recognised by the UK
authorities (UK and Scottish Parliament, Welsh
and Northern Ireland Assemblies). There are also
over 550 colleges and other institutions which do
not have degree awarding powers but provide
courses leading to degrees. Courses at these
institutions (known as listed bodies) are validated
by institutions which have degree awarding powers.
Lists of these institutions are maintained by the
DFES.
WJEC/CBAC (Welsh Joint Examination Council)
All degrees issued by recognised bodies are

considered to be official UK awards irrespective of
whether the study has been completed at a listed
body. Only degrees issued by one of these bodies
may be considered to be an official UK degree.
Other qualifications, such as those from
professional bodies may also be benchmarked
at degree level or any other level on the national
qualification frameworks of the United Kingdom.
Secondary School awards may come from a
number of bodies depending on which part of the
UK:
AQA (Associated Qualifications Authority)
CCEA (Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum,

Examinations and Assessments(
Overseas UK secondary examinations can come

from any of the above and the CIE (Cambridge
International Examinations).
There are a range of other vocational and
professional examination providers that are
nationally recognised. These should be checked
against the relevant qualifications framework.
It is worth noting that BTEC awards such as
National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas
may be studied for at a range of different types
of institution. The completed award is however
a nationally recognised qualification at that
given level irrespective of the location or type of
institution.

Advice
The main risk in the UK is receiving documentation
from fake universities. UK law states that no
institution may award UK degrees unless it is a
recognised body. It also protects the use of the
word university in that permission should be sought
to use the title if the institution in question is not
a recognised body. Legislation does not however
stop a large number of degree mills using the UK
as part of their operation. Given that many of these
organisations operate in several countries and
have their business effectively run from outside the
UK, they are very difficult to close down by one
national authority. These institutions cash in on the
reputation of British education and usually target
overseas markets.
Notes on degree formats and

requesting information
UK degree certificates vary in format. There is no
set of standards with regarding to the shape or
content and security devises on the documentation
are rare. Some universities have more than one
format for the same degree with students able
to opt on graduation. All requests for verification
should be directed to the awarding institution.
UNITED KINGDOM
United Kingdom
As an example of the different types of degree certificate format in the UK the following are genuine examples from two British Universities.
UNITED KINGDOM
United Kingdom
UNITED KINGDOM
United States of America

Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

English
Years 710 ..............
Secondary Level
Vocational and technical schools ....................................
High School Diploma.. Vocational and technical schools or colleges ...................
Community or Junior Colleges ........................................
Years 710 or High

School Diploma
Trades
Vocational and technical schools, technical; schools or
colleges
34 years ...................... High School Diploma ........ NSW School Certificate

Less than one year ........ Certificate or Diploma ........ Due to the variation it is
evaluated on a case by case
to 4 years
basis
23 years ...................... Associate Degree .............. AQF Certificate IV
34 years ...................... High School Diploma ......... NSW School Certificate

Certificate ......................... Due to the variation it is
Diploma + apprenticeship evaluated on a case by case
basis
Trade qualifications are only completed after the

apprentice does practical work prior to receiving their
license
TAFE NSW

Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
English
Universities
High School Diploma .... States have their own requirements for the major in
4 years with a major ...... Bachelor in Education ........ Australian Bachelor Degree
education and some states require that teachers complete in education
a higher degree (such as an MA in Teaching) within a
specified period of time.
Bachelor Degree........... .....................................................................................
Bachelor in Education...
.....................................................................................
2 years.......................... Masters in Education ....... Australian Graduate Diploma

in a new area of
specialisation
2 years.......................... Masters in Education......... Australian Masters Degree
in the same area of
specialisation
Higher Education
Colleges and universities
High School Diploma..... Graduates .....................................................................
2 years ......................... Associate Degree .............. NSW Higher School Certificate
Associate Degree or ....

High School Diploma
Universities ...................................................................
35 years ...................... Bachelor Degree ............... Australian Bachelor Degree
3 year Bachelor Degree
.....................................................................................
34 years ...................... First Professional Degree.... Australian Bachelor Degree

(e.g Law, Medicine,
Pharmacy)
Bachelor Degree .......... .....................................................................................
Bachelor Degree, .........

Masters Degree or
Professional Degree.
.....................................................................................
TAFE NSW
13 years by research.... Masters Degrees .............. Australian Masters Degree

or as a taught course
5 10 years ................... Doctorate Degree .............. Australian Doctorate

Languages
Documents are issued in English and Latin.
Accreditation in the United States is a more
complex issue than in many countries. Education
does not form part of the constitution and so
there is no one national source of accreditation.
The national budget is however allocated via
the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to
regional accreditation bodies, to a set of national
accreditors (such as the distance learning council)
and to professional accrediting bodies (in specialist
professional areas).
The six regional boards are:
Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Western Association of Schools and Colleges


advice
US degrees are issued by individual institutions;

there is no national register of degree holders and
no national format for degrees. There are some
common features that can be highlighted:
Fraud is very common in the US. The most popular

form is the purchase of degrees on the internet from
degree mills. Pay special attention when checking
the accreditation of US institutions, make sure that
the address of the institution concurs with the place
where it is listed by an accrediting body. It is also
worth checking the spelling of the institution i.e.
North Western or Northwestern.
Generally the date is written out in full i.e.

Nineteen hundred and fifty-six
Usually landscape in appearance with a seal
centre - middle
Usually larger than A4 size certificates
Transcripts can be requested directly from the
institution. The majority of transcripts are sent
in tamper-proof envelopes and are printed on
anti-copy coloured paper. It should be noted that
receiving documents on this type of paper is no
guarantee that they are genuine unless they have
been sent directly from the institution in question.
Transcripts provide the key proof that a degree has
been awarded rather than the final certificate. It is
common practice for students to only present their
transcripts as proof of completion.
It is suggested that in all cases, individuals present

full sets of documentation, including secondary
school and post- secondary school documentation,
transcripts and final awards.
development of policy guidelines and resources on
the recognition of overseas qualifications can be
consulted regarding documents issued in the US.
There are also over two hundred accrediting bodies

who are not registered with CHEA. The quality of
these bodies is extremely variable and in many
cases they may be considered to be accreditation
mills.
For the recognition of tertiary awards not accredited
by the six regional boards listed above the TAFE
NSW central unit responsible for the development
of policy guidelines and resources on the
recognition of overseas qualifications should be
consulted.
TAFE NSW

Example of a typical genuine US transcript from a regionally accredited institution
TAFE NSW

Example of a transcript from a non-regionally and non-nationally accredited institution in the United States
TAFE NSW
Vietnam
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Vietnamese
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded


Primary .................
(until 2010) and
Lower Secondary
(from 2010)
Secondary level
Vocational training centres (Trung tam Day nghe) .........
Less than 1 year ........... Vocational Elementary .......

Certificate
AQF Certificate I

(Grade 9)
Vocational Secondary Schools (Truong Trung cap Nghe)
3-4 years (depending ... Diploma of Secondary ........ AQF Certificate II

Vocational Education (Bang
on program)
Trung cap Nghe)
Score of 5.0 or above

(Grade 9)
Secondary Technical Schools (Truong Trung hoc Chuyen

Nghiep) or Secondary Professional Secondary Schools
(Truong Trung Cap Chuyen Nghiep)
3-4 years (depending ... Diploma of Secondary ........ AQF Certificate II

Technical Education (Bang
on program
Trung hoc Chuyen nghiep)
Score of 5.0 or above
Diploma of General
Education (Bang Tu
tai) & an entrance
exam
As above ...............

Secondary Technical Schools (Truong Trung hoc Chuyen
Nghiep) or Secondary Professional Secondary Schools
(Truong Trung Cap Chuyen Nghiep)
Junior colleges (truong cao dang), universities .............

(truong dai hoc)
112-212 years .............. Diploma of Secondary ........ AQF Certificate II

(with 50-70% practical Technical Education (Bang
training)
[Tot nghiep] Trung hoc
Chuyen nghiep) Score of 5.0
or above
3-312 years .............. College Graduation Diploma
(depending on program) (Bang Tot nghiep Cao dang)
with 20-30% practical
training
VIETNAM
Vietnam
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Vietnamese
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Trades
Completion of .........
Primary School
Vocational (Training) Schools (Truong Day nghe) ..........

Grouped in 7 areas:
Mechanics & electricity, Construction, Machinery
Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, Trades & services
Communications, posts & telegraphs and others
2-3 years ................... Vocational Certificate ......... AQF Certificate I

(depending
(Chung Chi Nghe)
on program)

(Grade 9)
.............................................................................
1-2 years ................. Skilled Worker Certificate ... AQF Certificate II

(depending
on program)
Teacher Education
Lower secondary ...
(Grade 9)/
Diploma of General
Education (Grade 12)
Diploma of General
Education (Bang Tu
tai) & an entrance
exam
As above ...............
Teachers (Primary)
Normal Schools (truong [trung hoc] su pham) ..............
Teachers (Lower Secondary)

Junior Teachers College (cao dan su pham) .................
Teachers (Upper Secondary)

Teacher Training Universities ....................................
(Specialising in 1 subject)
2-3 years .................... Graduation Diploma ......... AQF Diploma

(Bang Tot nghiep) eg
Normal School Graduation
Diploma (Bang Tot nghiep
Trung hoc Su pham) .
3 years ...................... Teachers College .............. AQF Advanced Diploma
Graduation Diploma (Bang
Tot nghiep Cao dang su
pham)
4 years ...................... Pedagogical University ...... Australian Bachelor Degree
Graduation Diploma
(Bang Tot nghiep Dai hoc Su
pham) or Bachelor Degree
(Cu nhan).
VIETNAM
Vietnam
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Vietnamese
Years of Study
Qualification
awarded

Higher Education
Diploma of General
Education (Bang Tu
tai) & an entrance
exam
First Degree & .......

an entrance exam
Bachelor or ...........
Masters Degree &
an entrance exam
Universities ............................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
3 years ....................... College Diploma/ ............... AQF Advanced Diploma

Associate Degree
(Tot nghiep dai hoc)
4 years ....................... Bachelor Degree ...............
(cu nhan or Bang tot nghiep
dai hoc)
2 years ....................... Masters Degree ..............

(Thac si) Taught
Australian Post Graduate

Diploma
Research .........................
Australian Post Graduate

Diploma
5 years ....................... Doctorate/ PhD (Tien Si)......

3 years
VIETNAM
Vietnam
Language
Vietnamese is the only official language of Vietnam.
All original documents are issued in Vietnamese.
Institutions generally do not issued degree
certificates in English. Quality of English translation
varies greatly.
Education in Vietnam is highly centralised. The
Ministry of Education and Training (MoET),
which was founded in the 1990s, is responsible
for primary, secondary and higher education.
Majority of universities are government-funded
and are controlled by MoET. However, a few
single-subject institutions are managed by other
ministries; e.g. medical universities by Ministry of
Health. Admission to higher education is extremely
competitive, less than 20% of applicants were
admitted to higher education in 2004.
Accreditation for new universities is awarded by
Prime Ministerial decision. Colleges and lower
level academic institutions can be appointed by
the Minister for Education and Training. MoET
did not have such a system of evaluating each
institution for accrediting purposes for a long time.
The establishment of such accreditation system
was mainly due to the development of non-public
(semi-public ban cong, people-founded dan lap
and private tu lap) universities, as Vietnamese
government is planning to increase the higher
education coverage.

Vietnam has a standard national degree format.
All degrees granted by Vietnamese institutions are
officially approved by MoET.
The standard degree certificate is always in a
landscape booklet format. On the left hand side,
there is a picture of holder along with the degree
number, certificate number and a signature of the
holder. The right hand side always begins with
Socialist Republic of Vietnam Independence
Freedom Happiness followed by the decision
number of MoET (accreditation information). Degree
is always conferred and signed by the Rector
(hieu truong) of the institution, who is chosen
by faculty members and serves a 4 year term with
a possible extension. Other information include
specialisation, degree awarded, grade obtained,
date of graduation, date of birth, and mode of
study. Transcripts are issued by the institution and
there is not a standard format. Some transcripts
may also have credits information. However the
credits system is being adopted very slowly.

Advice
One of the principle risks in the region is the
proliferation of degrees awarded by private colleges
that are accredited by degree mills. When students
have a partially completed course it is advisable to
always check who the final awarding body is for the
degree.
VIETNAM
Zimbabwe
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

English, Shona,
Ndebele
Grade 7 ......................
PVC ............................
National Foundation.....
Certificate, or the
Zimbabwe General
Certificate of Education
O Level
Secondary Level
Junior Secondary .......................................................... 4 years ......................... Pre-vocational Certificate... Below AQF Certificate I
(PVC)
Senior Secondary .......................................................... 2 years ........................... National Foundation .......... AQF Certificate II
Certificate
Colleges, polytechnics and technical colleges ................ 3 years ........................... National Certificate ............ AQF Certificate III
Vocational training centres
National Certificate .....

or Zimbabwe General
A Level
..................................................................................... 2 years ........................... National Diploma ............... AQF Certificate IV
National Diploma ........
..................................................................................... 2 years ........................... Higher National Diploma.... AQF Advanced Diploma
Trades
National Foundation
Certificate, or the
Zimbabwe General
O level
(Ministry of Higher Education and Technology)

Technical colleges or polytechnics
Practical (on the job training) and theory ......................... 34 years ....................... Skilled Worker Class:
I ....................................... AQF Certificate III
II ...................................... AQF Certificate II
III ...................................... AQF Certificate I
IV ..................................... Below AQF Certificate I
TAFE NSW
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe
Language of
instruction
Pre-Requisites
Years of Study

Teacher Education
English, Shona,
Ndebele
Zimbabwe General .......
(GCE O Level)
Zimbabwe General .......

(GCE O Level)
Zimbabwe General .....

(GCE A Level)
Certificate or Diploma ...
of Education and 3 years
teaching experience
Two A level passes ......

of grade E standard or
the National Diploma
Primary
Primary teacher training colleges
ZINTEC (Zimbabwe Integrated Teacher Education Course)
colleges are associated with the University of Zimbabwe
Secondary
Secondary teachers and technical teachers colleges
3 years ......................... Primary Diploma in

Education .......................... NSW Higher School Certificate
4 years ......................... Zimbabwe Diploma in
Education .......................... NSW Higher School Certificate
4 years ......................... Certificate or Diploma ........ NSW Higher School Certificate
of Education
Upper Secondary
Universities .................................................................
4 years ......................... Bachelor of Education......... Australian Bachelor Degree
...................................................................................
2 years ......................... Bachelor of Education......... Australian Bachelor Degree
Higher Education
Universities ...................................................................
35 years ...................... Bachelor Degree ................ Australian Bachelor Degree
Bachelor Degree .........
.....................................................................................
13 year courses or ....... Masters Degree ................ Australian Masters Degree

by research or thesis
Masters Degree .........
....................................................................................
34 years of study ......... Doctorate .......................... Australian Doctorate

and presentation of a
thesis..
TAFE NSW
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe
Languages
English is the official language in Zimbabwe. Shona, Sindebele
and other tribal dialects are also spoken and sometimes
used as medium of instruction in primary schools. However
documents are all issued in English.
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education has an overall
supervising role on universities, colleges and polytechnics.
The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education was created as
part of the Ministry, following the introduction of Zimbabwe
Council for Higher Education Act in early 2006. The Council is
responsible for accreditation and evaluation of institutes of
higher education.


advice
There is no standard format for degree certificates from

Zimbabwe. Each institution with degree awarding powers
uses their own format, although on the whole degree
certificates are portrait rather than landscape. The largest
university in Zimbabwe, the University of Zimbabwes
certificates have the university logo on the top and a red seal
on the bottom right with the Vice Chancellor and Registrars
signatures to the left. Older documents may contain more
handwritten information.
Zimbabwe does not appear to suffer from fraud to the same

extent as some other African nations. However, there is still
a relatively high risk of receiving fraudulent documents from
Zimbabwe. The quality of fraudulent documents are generally
not of a high standard with odd spacing, misalignment and
sometimes spelling errors.
Transcripts should always be signed and stamped. The TAFE

NSW central unit responsible for the development of policy
guidelines and resources on the recognition of overseas
qualifications can be consulted regarding transcripts from
Zimbabwe.
TAFE NSW
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe
Compare the fake certificate on the left with the genuine certificate on the right
[ Name ]
TAFE NSW
ZIMBABWE

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A Guide for TAFE NSW Staff

RECOGNITION OF OVERSEAS VOCATIONAL

About this guide

The AQF equivalents of overseas qualifications

TAFE NSW has supported this policy focus by

Enquiries regarding this publication should be

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

Pre-requisites to each qualification

Ph: 02 9244 5308

Information to support the identification of

Level 16, 1 Oxford Street

2009 TAFE NSW,

For all countries

years of study, mode of study (P/T, F/T, by

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

related work experience

DIAC translations are free of charge for certain

Each country includes useful information about the

Details provided in statutory declarations should

TAFE NSW accepts statutory declarations in the

Where the student has applied for advanced

TAFE NSW staff need to:

student number, TAFE course name and

Community Relations Commission for a

title of the overseas qualification (s),

qualification entry requirements

Telephone 131 651 500, www.crc.nsw.gov.au/

National Accreditation Authority for Translators

year the qualification was awarded

Hong Kong (Special Administrative

Education Level Completed

AQF Equivalent (in broad

Technical and Vocational Education

3 years........................ Vocational/Technical ...........

Trade Training courses .............................................

3 years........................ Craft Certificate .................. Below AQF Certificate I

Teachers (Secondary Middle School)

Teachers (High School)

2 years........................ Teachers College Certificate

2 years........................ Higher Teachers College ....... AQF Certificate III

Kabul Polytechnic ....................................................

5 years........................ Bachelor of Science ............. Australian Bachelor Degree

Universities (6) ........................................................

4 years........................ Bachelor Degree .................. Australian Bachelor Degree

Education Level Completed

AQF Equivalent (in broad

2 years........................ Masters Degree............... Australian Bachelor Degree

Masters Degree .....

Doctorate (Doctori)........... Assessed individually

Documents always include a photograph of the

The certificate is split into 2 sections in the

At primary and secondary levels education is

Tertiary education is now overseen by the

Notes on degree format and

Documents from the post-1995 era are

Documents include 3 signatures (the President

Tertiary level awards are issued in Pashto and

A photograph of the student is always included.

University of Kabul documents are in landscape

Secondary level awards follow a standard format:

Documents are issued in English

They are headed by the symbol of the Ministry

crest of the Ministry of Higher Education, and

Both the English and the Pashto on University