Understanding the New Regulations on Overseas Qualifications Recognition

The UK government, through the Department for Education (DfE), has introduced the Recognition of Overseas Qualifications (Charges) Regulations 2025, specifically targeting England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This new legislation revokes and replaces the previous 2024 regulations and is designed to address the recognition of international qualifications.

Key Changes and Context

1. Geographical Scope: Unlike the previous regulations that covered the entire UK, the new rules apply only to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This shift follows discussions with devolved governments, leading to a consensus that the subject matter, primarily education, is a devolved competence.

2. Service and Charges Update: The regulations update the services provided by the UK’s National Information Centre (UK ENIC), managed by Ecctis Limited under a contract with the DfE. Key updates include:

   • Inflation-Adjusted Charges: Fees for UK ENIC services have been increased to cover rising costs.
   • Subscription Packages: Now offer additional support for up to 300 extra queries and include charges for attending conferences.
   • Removal of Certain Fees: The £7.50 charge for electronic delivery of certain statements has been eliminated.

3. International Obligations: The UK is bound by international treaties to facilitate the recognition of qualifications, enhancing academic and professional mobility. UK ENIC’s role is crucial in this, providing comparability statements and qualification reference statements.

4. Historical Fees and Legal Clarifications: Historically, there was ambiguity about whether fees required statutory authority. A review concluded that statutory provision should be made to avoid legal uncertainties, particularly concerning refunds for past fees.

5. Impact and Consultation: The DfE determined no significant impact on businesses, charities, or the public sector, and thus, no public consultation was deemed necessary. The legislation focuses on ensuring cost recovery and aligning services with contractual terms.

6. Legal Adjustments: The new regulations address previous drafting issues and ensure clarity, especially where the Scottish Government now holds the power to regulate in Scotland.

Conclusion

These regulations reflect a refinement of the UK's approach to recognizing overseas qualifications, tailored to meet devolved government competencies and contractual obligations. By updating services and charges, the DfE aims to maintain the integrity and functionality of the UK ENIC services, ensuring they continue to meet international obligations effectively.