Recognition of qualifications between China and the UK or Ireland

The recognition of qualifications between China and the UK  (in 2000) and China and Ireland (in 2006) are settled through mutual agreements that acknowledge academic degrees and qualifications, from higher certificates up to doctorate levels.  However, this should not be seen as “just a formality”: students and graduates who wish to study or work overseas must fill out different forms if they want to obtain the proper credentials to be admitted in a school or be invited for an interview.

The ENIC/NARIC national agencies and the statement of comparability

To obtain the recognition of your qualifications in the UK or in Ireland you will need to get a statement of comparability, i.e. an official document confirming the recognition of an overseas qualification and its comparable level in the UK.  Both countries provide application forms and detailed explanations online. This attestation must be shown to employers, universities or colleges every time you apply for a new job or want to be admitted in another British or Irish school program.

The European Network of Information Centres – National Academic Recognition Information Centres (ENIC-NARIC) are the only ones that can officially provide certified copies of diplomas that were delivered abroad. Generally, British or Irish students who wish to obtain the recognition of their qualifications in China need to contact the ENIC-NARIC centre of their host country. But since there is no such centre operating in China, you will need to apply directly at your embassy.

The value of foreign degrees

For a European student, there is no real point in completing a Chinese degree, even if he plans to work in China afterwards; it will only show a desire to improve his Mandarin and to have an edge on his integration process.

On the other hand, Chinese employers think highly of candidates holding Western diplomas from institutions that are recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education.  For this reason, Chinese graduates who have studied abroad often find work more easily once they come back home.  With a Master’s Degree from the UK, a student can increase his chances of being hired in China, especially if he acquired international trading skills on top of his qualifications.

But even with a French or British degree, competition remains tough between alumni of all the different European academic institutions: human resources managers recruit mainly graduates from their former schools or candidates coming from the same business network. This is especially true for positions in the fields of marketing, purchasing or finance.

Otherwise, Chinese recruiters will go through ranking lists of British or Irish universities accredited by their own governments to find potential candidates. Generally, these institutions are also recognized by the Chinese government. The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) also publishes a list of the best world universities according to six different indicators.

To conclude, a valuable experience abroad could prove to be a key hiring element; but the recognition of your qualifications in China and in the UK or Ireland will be determining for your future on the job market.  A simple certified copy of a diploma will rarely be enough to find work in China.