Will my UK degree be Recognised in the US?

Asked by: Maxie Hettinger Sr.  |  Last update: December 21, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (47 votes)

Companies in the US respect UK master's degrees. Having an international education can really make a job application stand out from other CVs. However, certain specific roles, such as working in medicine or becoming a teacher, often require local certification.

Is an UK degree valid in the USA?

Because of this, the US recognizes UK degrees for both further education and employment in the US. As always, there are some exceptions to the rule. For some specialty fields in the US, you may have to take extra exams or classes upon your return to practice in your field.

Is a 3 year UK bachelor's degree accepted in the USA?

US universities generally accept 3-year bachelor's degrees from the UK, as the UK education system is similar to that of the US.

How do I know if my degree is recognised in the USA?

Applicants can request an evaluation from a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice.

Is a UK degree equivalent to a US degree?

Please note that in the UK, most undergraduate degrees are three years long whilst in the US, they're usually four years long, however, they're considered equal qualifications. Some degrees (in both the UK and the US) have different lengths entirely, like Medicine for example.

The Truth about UoPeople Accreditation: Is this degree real? What can you do with a UoPeople degree?

38 related questions found

Do US jobs accept UK degrees?

Employers normally recognise UK qualifications. This is highlighted by the fact some US nationals travel to the UK to study before returning home to work. However, it's worth checking that a UK degree will be accepted before you apply for a job.

What is a 4.0 GPA equivalent to in the UK?

GPA Conversion to UK Grades

A 4.0 GPA in the US is worth an 7, 8 or 9 in the UK at GCSE. A 3.3 GPA in the US is worth a 6 in the UK at GCSE. A 3.0 GPA in the US is worth a 4 or 5 in the UK at GCSE. A 2.3 GPA in the US is worth a 3 in the UK at GCSE.

How do I make my degree valid in the US?

Get an official copy of the credentials from the registrar of the university or college. The registrar will execute an affidavit proving the validity of the document before a notary public.

Does America accept foreign degrees?

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if the applicant can show that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States.

How can I verify my bachelor's degree in the USA?

The National Student Clearinghouse is the trusted source for education verification offering a nationwide collection of enrollment and degree data.

Do European degrees work in the US?

Are European degrees recognized in the U.S.? In most cases, yes, European degrees are recognized in the U.S. However, this may vary by field and employer. Many employers in the U.S. are multinational and will accept a European degree without question.

What is bachelor's degree called in UK?

Bachelor's degrees: BA, BSc, MB and more

See the latest examination and assessment advice about COVID-19 for students in higher education. A bachelor's degree is a course of academic study leading to a qualification such as a bachelor of arts (BA), bachelor of science (BSc), or bachelor of medicine (MB).

What is year 3 UK in America?

It is the equivalent to second grade in America or Canada.

What UK universities are recognised in the USA?

Amongst the general US public, they are:
  • Oxford.
  • Cambridge.
  • KCL.
  • UCL.
  • LSE.
  • Edinburgh.
  • Imperial.
  • University of the Arts London.

Are UK degrees Recognised?

The UK has a reputation for world-class research and highly experienced lecturers. A postgraduate degree from a British university will be recognised and revered by employers.

Is a UK or US degree better?

The UK is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities that rank higher than US institutions. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, three of the top five universities in the world - Imperial College London, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge - were from the UK!

How do I validate my foreign bachelor's degree in the USA?

Applicants can request an evaluation from a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice.

Do employers check foreign degrees?

For candidates with degrees from international institutions, employers may need additional verification methods. They might check with international databases or use services that specialize in international education verification.

Are foreign universities accredited in the US?

The U.S. Department of Education does not recognize foreign accrediting agencies, however, accrediting agencies that have been recognized by the Secretary of Education may accredit foreign institutions. Private credential evaluation services will evaluate a foreign degree for comparability to a U.S. degree.

Is a degree from the UK valid in the US?

Is a UK Master's recognised in the US? For university appointments and research positions in US universities, the answer is yes. A UK master's will be highly regarded and very much respected for the work and research involved. Companies in the US respect UK master's degrees.

How do I know if my degree is accredited in USA?

To find out if an SEVP-certified school is accredited, search the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

Do US jobs accept foreign degrees?

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal job requirements for these positions if the applicant can show that foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States.

How do I convert my UK GPA to us?

A rough conversion of British grades to GPAs looks like this:
  1. +70% = 4.0.
  2. 60-69% = 3.3-3.9.
  3. 50-59% = 2.7-3.2.
  4. 40-49% = 2.0-2.6.
  5. Below 40% = 1.0-1.9 – This is not necessarily a failure; at some universities, it might be equivalent to receiving an ordinary degree in the UK.

Is 2.82 a good GPA?

To elaborate, the national average for GPA is around a 3.0, so a 2.8 puts you below average nationally.