Ecctis Explained - How to Get Your Overseas Qualification Recognised in the UK

Ecctis tells UK employers and universities how your overseas qualification compares with UK levels. Here is when you need a statement, how to apply, and when a regulator matters more.

By Tony Musso on Thu Oct 15 2026

Ecctis is the organisation that runs UK ENIC, the UK's national agency for recognising international qualifications. If you studied outside the UK, Ecctis can give you a Statement of Comparability that says how your degree, diploma or school qualification compares with UK levels, for example "comparable to a UK Bachelor's degree".

You don't always need one. Many private-sector employers will hire you on your experience and interview alone. A statement is most useful when an employer or university doesn't recognise your qualification, when an application form asks for one, or when you need to show your degree was taught in English for some visa routes. If you want to work in a regulated profession such as nursing, medicine or teaching, the regulator decides, not Ecctis.

What Ecctis is

The national agency Ecctis runs used to be called UK NARIC, and many employers and older guides still use that name. It is now called UK ENIC. If someone asks for a "NARIC statement", they almost always mean an Ecctis Statement of Comparability.

Ecctis offers two services that matter most to people moving to the UK for work:

The Statement of Comparability compares your qualification against the UK frameworks. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland that is the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). In Scotland it is the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), which uses different level numbers.

Do you need an Ecctis statement?

Often, no. Most private-sector employers in the UK care more about what you can do than about a certificate from another country.

A statement is worth getting when:

• An employer doesn't recognise your qualification. A statement gives a hiring manager a UK level they understand.
• An application form asks for it. Some public-sector jobs, graduate schemes and university courses ask overseas applicants for evidence of UK comparability.
• A job needs a set level. If an advert says "degree required" or "Level 3 qualification or above", a statement shows you meet it.
• You need an ELP statement for a visa. Some visa routes let you meet the English language requirement with a degree taught in English, backed by an Ecctis ELP statement. Check the exact rules for your route on GOV.UK before you pay for anything.
• You're applying to a regulator that asks for it. Some regulators use Ecctis as part of their own checks. Follow the regulator's instructions, as they may handle this for you.

If you're still working out which roles are open to you, start with our guide to jobs in the UK for foreigners. You'll also need to prove your right to work in the UK before any employer can take you on, and that is a separate check from qualification recognition.

How to apply for a Statement of Comparability

You apply online. The screens change from time to time, so follow what the Ecctis website tells you on the day.

Step 1: Create an account

Go to the Ecctis website and register. Use the name exactly as it appears on your certificates. If your name has changed, have evidence ready, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.

Step 2: Gather and upload your documents

You'll usually need:

• your final certificate or diploma
• your academic transcript, showing the subjects you studied and your grades
• certified translations of both, if they aren't in English
• your passport or other ID

Scan each document clearly, with all four corners visible. A certified translation should come from a professional translator or translation company and confirm that it is a true translation of the original.

Step 3: Choose the service

Pick the service that matches what you need. For most job applications that is the Statement of Comparability. If you need to show your degree was taught in English for a visa, look for the English language proficiency (ELP) statement. Read the descriptions before you choose.

Step 4: Pay

There is a fee, with faster options for more. Prices and processing times change, so check the current figures on the Ecctis website. If you're applying for a job with a deadline, check the standard processing time before you apply so you can choose a faster option if you need one.

Step 5: Wait for your statement

Ecctis may contact you if they need more information or clearer copies. Reply quickly, as a slow answer can hold up your statement. Once your statement is issued, keep a digital copy you can attach to applications.

What the statement looks like

A Statement of Comparability is a short official document. It names your qualification, the institution that awarded it and when, and then gives the UK level it is comparable to. It may also add notes about your specific award.

The key line is the comparison itself. This table shows how common UK qualifications sit on the two frameworks, so you can see what your statement means:

So if your statement says your qualification is comparable to a UK Bachelor's degree at RQF Level 6, an employer in England can treat it as they would a UK honours degree for entry requirements. Your statement may give a different level from the one you expected. If it does, read any notes carefully and use the level it gives you, not the one you hoped for.

Remember what the statement is not. It is not a licence to practise, it is not proof of your right to work, and it doesn't guarantee an employer will hire you.

Regulated professions: the regulator decides

Some jobs in the UK are regulated by law. You can't practise them, or use the protected job title, until you are registered with the right body. For these jobs, an Ecctis statement alone does not let you practise. The regulator runs its own assessment of your training, and often asks for English language evidence, references and sometimes a test.

Start with the regulator's website, not Ecctis. Their international registration pages tell you exactly what to send, whether they need anything from Ecctis, and what tests you'll face. Registration can take months, so begin early, ideally before you move.

Using your Ecctis statement on a CV and in job applications

Don't make recruiters guess what your qualification is worth. Write the UK equivalent level next to it.

For example:

• BSc Computer Science, [university], [country], 2019 (comparable to UK Bachelor's degree, Ecctis)
• Master of Business Administration, [university], [country], 2021 (comparable to UK Master's degree, Ecctis)

Only write the comparison your statement actually gives. If you haven't got a statement yet, don't claim an equivalent. You can leave the qualification as it is, or write "Ecctis statement in progress" if you've applied.

A few more tips:

• Translate grades too. If your degree uses a grading scale UK employers won't recognise, describe it plainly, such as "graduated in the top band of my cohort", only if that is accurate.
• Have the statement ready to send. Don't attach it to every application unless asked, but have a PDF ready for the moment a recruiter requests it.
• Mention it in the cover letter or form if the job lists a set qualification level. One line is enough: "My degree is comparable to a UK Bachelor's degree (Ecctis Statement of Comparability)."

You can build a UK-style CV in a few minutes with our CV builder, or pick a layout from our UK CV templates.

Alternatives: when experience matters more

For many jobs, an Ecctis statement makes little difference. Employers in sectors such as tech, hospitality, logistics, sales and the trades often care more about what you've done and whether you can pass their practical test.

If you're an accountant, our guide to accounting qualifications explains how the UK bodies work. If your field needs a short UK course to get started, Skills Bootcamps in England may help if you're eligible.

The best move is often to do both: apply for jobs on the strength of your experience now, and get a statement in the background so you have it when an employer asks. Our guide to jobs in the UK for foreigners shows which careers are realistic to start from abroad.

Careers you can get into from abroad