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Recognition of Qualifications

The UCJ offers credential assessment services for persons with local and foreign qualifications from high school to university level, from countries around the world, in order to determine whether such qualifications satisfy the requirements for further study and or employment opportunities. 

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Proven Educational Quality

Our rigorous evaluation ensures institutions and programs in Jamaica meet or exceed global standards, fostering continuous improvement and credibility.
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Recognition of Programmes

UCJ’s recognition not only opens doors for foreign qualifications in Jamaica but also acknowledges educational achievements from Transnational as well as Awarding Bodies. This provides assurance and acceptance, facilitating seamless integration into both educational and professional realms.
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Public Education

Our rigorous evaluation ensures institutions and programs in Jamaica meet or exceed global standards, fostering continuous improvement and credibility.
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Shaping & Pioneering Standards

Our robust process for standards development ensures that institutions and programmes in Jamaica meet or exceed global standards, fostering continuous improvement and credibility.
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Credential Assessment

How To Apply

Click here to see and download the guidelines for application and application form.

Approved Foreign Language Translators

Click here to get a list of our approved translators.

CARICOM Skills Certificate

To obtain the CARICOM Skills Certificate, apply through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, accessing the CSME INFORMATION SHEET on their website. The UCJ assesses for equivalency, qualifications obtained from institutions other than those specified in the CARICOM (Free Movement) Skilled Persons Act, 1997.
To obtain an equivalency statement to support applications for the CARICOM Skills Certificate, download the UCJ application form for assessment of credentials. Click here to access the CSME Information Sheet on the MLSS work permit forms.

Credential Assessment Refund Request Form

Click here to see and download the Credential Assessment Refund Request form.

What is a Diploma Mill?

A diploma mill (or degree mill) is a dubious provider of education that offers certificates, diplomas, and degrees that are considered bogus and/or of questionable quality. Diplomas or degrees offered by “mills” do not meet the standards required for such qualifications. In many cases degrees can be bought for a stated sum of money, without attendance at classes. Click here for more info

Choosing Programmes Offered by Foreign Institutions

When choosing programmes offered by foreign institutions, the institution must be recognised/accredited in its country by a competent authority and the programme of study accredited/recognised. Click here for more info

Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is the stamp of approval of the recognized External Quality Assurance Agency (EQAA) that gives a programme or institution its credibility, recognition and acceptance locally and internationally. It is the more preferred quality assurance method for assuring and improving quality in higher education (education and training) in general.

The Value Of Accreditation

Accreditation brings significant value to institutions and enhances reputation. For students, it ensures quality education, facilitating admission to further studies and credit transfers, while offering the public assurance of external evaluation and continuous improvement in educational services.It fosters improvement by promoting self-evaluation, self-regulation, and accountability in line with educational standards.

Programme Accreditation

Programme accreditation evaluates the quality of specific programmes or courses within an institution, against established criteria. Click here to view the list of accredited programmes.

Institutional Accreditation

This signifies an institution meeting or surpassing educational quality standards. It involves a thorough evaluation of the institution's overall effectiveness, emphasising the strength of its Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) system and assessing the impact of its systems, policies, and practices on programme quality. Click here to view the List of Accredited Institutions and Candidates for Institutional Accreditation.

Accreditation of Short Courses

The UCJ accredits short courses offered by training institutions and training departments of organisations thereby providing formal recognition and acceptance within the higher education system.

Accreditation Process

Click here to view the Institutional and Programme Accreditation Process.

UCJ-Approved Degrees

The UCJ Act, 1987 grants the Council authority to confer degrees on graduates of approved programmes, with UCJ-Approved degrees having equivalent recognition and acceptance as accredited programmes.

Accredited Institutions

Click here to view the List of Accredited Institutions and Candidates for Institutional Accreditation.

Overseas Accredited and Recognised Programmes

These include: Accredited Programmes Delivered in Jamaica by Overseas Institutions; Overseas Institutions with Programmes Recognised by the UCJ; and Overseas Institutions with Programmes Accredited by the UCJ.

Quality Assurance Networks and Associations

Click here to view the list of agencies and networks.

Recognition of Transnational Education Qualifications

What is Recognition?

Recognition, as per the Lisbon Recognition Convention, is the formal acknowledgment by a competent authority of the value of foreign educational qualifications for access to education or employment. The UCJ considers that ‘Recognition’ of TNE programmes and qualifications should be subject to comparable quality assurance procedures as those applied to national institutions and programmes.

Recognition vs Accreditation

Recognition differs from Accreditation, but both are concerned with quality assurance. In Accreditation, the institutions offering the programmes are located in Jamaica. In the case of Recognition, although the certificates, diplomas and degrees are offered to Jamaican participants, there is no physical institutional presence or entity in Jamaica that can be accredited.

Recognition of Transnational Educational Qualifications

Transnational Education (TNE) – refers to all types of higher education study programmes or educational services (including distance education) in which the learners are located in a country different from the one where the awarding institution is based. The student does not move to study in other countries, they study in their home country, but the credentials are awarded in the name of the foreign institution (Andrejs Rauhvargers, 2000).

Transnational Education for Institutions

Transnational Education (TNE) programmes delivered in Jamaica by overseas institutions are required to undergo assessment against local standards for recognition. As Jamaica’s national external quality assurance agency, the UCJ holds TNE programmes to the same high standards as those delivered by national institutions. Click here to access the Guidelines for Recognition of Transnational Education Qualifications.

Transnational Education for Individuals

The processing of applications for recognition of qualifications obtained via distance learning/online is being done on a case by case basis, where the programme has not been granted recognition status in Jamaica.

Public Education

Empowering Minds, Transforming Futures

Reshaping the future through accessible, dynamic learning experiences. Where knowledge meets opportunity, and students are equipped for success in the ever-evolving landscape of the 21st century.

Standards Development

Standards Development Process

Standards for academic and occupational degree programmes have been written by the UCJ across various levels (Associate degree and onwards) for use by tertiary education institutions. These standards are developed in accordance with international benchmarks and provide important guidelines to the requirements for programme and institutional accreditation.

Categories of Standards

i) Discipline-Specific Standards: (Information Technology, Natural Sciences, Business & Management, Engineering, Teacher Education, Hospitality & Tourism, Psychology & Counselling)
ii) Generic Programme Standards: Associate Degree, Bachelors, Post-Graduate iii) Institutional Standards: Institutional Accreditation, Distance Education, Micro-Credentials

Our Standards Development Committees

Members of our standards committees are appointed by the Council of the UCJ and are thought leaders in their respective disciplines and areas of competency. In addition, standards committees’ research and review best practices and trends in the higher education sector globally and assist with identifying the needs of the Jamaican economy for such knowledge and skills.

Institutional Accreditation Process

To be eligible to submit an application for accreditation to the UCJ, institutions must first
seek registration with the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC). Please visit J-TEC’s
website for information relating to the Registration process.

LETTER OF INTENT

Expression of Interest/Letter of Intent sent by institution registered with the J-TEC and having
programme(s) accredited by the UCJ.

  • Expression of Interest/Letter of Intent sent by institution registered with the J-TEC and having
    programme(s) accredited by the UCJ.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Submission of evidence of meeting eligibility criteria.

 

If the eligibility evidence is deemed satisfactory, the institution is granted Candidacy for Institutional Accreditation.

  • Submission of evidence of meeting eligibility criteria.
  • If the eligibility evidence is deemed satisfactory, the institution is granted Candidacy for Institutional Accreditation.

CANDIDACY

An institution having received Candidacy will proceed to prepare and submit the Institutional Self
Study (ISS).

  • An institution having received Candidacy will proceed to prepare and submit the Institutional Self
    Study (ISS).

APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REVIEW OF INSTITUTIONAL SELF-STUDY

The institution’s submission for institutional accreditation in iQAMS. The Self-Study and relevant
documents are to be uploaded in iQAMS.

 

The processing and review of documents submitted by the institution to determine eligibility for a
visit.

  • The institution’s submission for institutional accreditation in iQAMS. The Self-Study and relevant
    documents are to be uploaded in iQAMS.
  • The processing and review of documents submitted by the institution to determine eligibility for a
    visit.

SITE VISIT

The selection and training of an evaluation team for the accreditation visit.

 

The interviewing of relevant stakeholders of the institution including students, graduates and
employers of graduates and an evaluation of the institution’s facilities and resources by members
of the evaluation team.

  • The selection and training of an evaluation team for the accreditation visit.
  • The interviewing of relevant stakeholders of the institution including students, graduates and
    employers of graduates and an evaluation of the institution’s facilities and resources by members
    of the evaluation team.

REPORT WRITING

The preparation of the Institutional Accreditation report by members of the evaluation team.

  • The preparation of the Institutional Accreditation report by members of the evaluation team.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE

The UCJ dispatches a report of the visit to the institution and the institution submits a formal
response to the UCJ.

  • The UCJ dispatches a report of the visit to the institution and the institution submits a formal
    response to the UCJ.

THE ACCREDITATION DECISION

The institution submits the response to the Institutional Accreditation Report to the UCJ.

The Institutional Accreditation Report and the Institution’s response are tabled at the Institutional
Accreditation Review (IAR) Committee and a recommendation submission to Council.

The Council’s review of the recommendation of the IAR Committee.

The decision of Council is communicated to the institution in writing.

If accreditation is not granted, the institution reserves the right to appeal the decision.

  • The institution submits the response to the Institutional Accreditation Report to the UCJ.
  • The Institutional Accreditation Report and the Institution’s response are tabled at the Institutional
    Accreditation Review (IAR) Committee and a recommendation submission to Council.
  • The Council’s review of the recommendation of the IAR Committee.
  • The decision of Council is communicated to the institution in writing.
  • If accreditation is not granted, the institution reserves the right to appeal the decision.

MONITORING

The institution granted Institutional Accreditation submits annual status reports and a mid-cycle
review is undertaken during the period of accreditation.

  • The institution granted Institutional Accreditation submits annual status reports and a mid-cycle
    review is undertaken during the period of accreditation.

RE-ACCREDITATION

The institution submits an application to renew accreditation at the end of the period of
accreditation. A full re-evaluation of the institution is undertaken.

  • The institution submits an application to renew accreditation at the end of the period of
    accreditation. A full re-evaluation of the institution is undertaken.

Programme Accreditation Process

To be eligible to submit an application for accreditation to the UCJ, institutions must first seek registration with the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC). Please visit J-TEC’s website for information relating to the Registration process.

Note: Registered entities are deemed to have completed Steps 1-5 of the accreditation process and are eligible to start at Step 6.

APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION

Expression of Interest/Letter of Intent sent by institution registered with the J-TEC

 

The scheduling of training of staff of the institution in preparing for accreditation. This training
includes:

 

Planning & Organizing of UCJ      Sensitization Process

 

Self-Study Workshop.

 

Institution attends Onboarding session to iQAMS

 

Institutions are provided with the following documents:

 

The Accreditation Process: Guidelines for Programme Accreditation

 

iQAMS Sample Application Forms A & B for Programme Accreditation

 

UCJ Accreditation Process

 

The institution’s submission of a completed application for programme accreditation in iQAMS.The Self-Study and other relevant documents are also to be uploaded in iQAMS.

 

The processing and review of documents submitted by the institution to determine eligibility for an accreditation visit.

  • Expression of Interest/Letter of Intent sent by institution registered with the J-TEC
  • The scheduling of training of staff of the institution in preparing for accreditation. This training
    includes:
    • Planning & Organizing of UCJ Sensitization Process
    • Self-Study Workshop.
  • Institution attends Onboarding session to iQAMS
    • Institutions are provided with the following documents:
    • The Accreditation Process: Guidelines for Programme Accreditation
    • iQAMS Sample Application Forms A & B for Programme Accreditation
    • UCJ Accreditation Process
  • The institution’s submission of a completed application for programme accreditation in iQAMS.
    The Self-Study and other relevant documents are also to be uploaded in iQAMS.
  • The processing and review of documents submitted by the institution to determine eligibility for an
    accreditation visit.

ACCREDITATION SITE VISIT

The selection and training of an evaluation team for the accreditation visit.

 

The interviewing of relevant stakeholders of the institution including students, graduates and employers of graduates and an evaluation of the institution’s facilities and resources by members of the evaluation team.

  • The selection and training of an evaluation team for the accreditation visit.
  • The interviewing of relevant stakeholders of the institution including students, graduates and
    employers of graduates and an evaluation of the institution’s facilities and resources by members
    of the evaluation team.

REPORT WRITING

The preparation of the Accreditation report by members of the evaluation team.

  • The preparation of the Accreditation report by members of the evaluation team.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE

The UCJ dispatches a report of the visit to the institution and the institution submits a formal
response to the UCJ.

  • The UCJ dispatches a report of the visit to the institution and the institution submits a formal
    response to the UCJ.

ACCREDITATION DECISION

The review of the Accreditation report and the Institution’s response by the Accreditation,
Curriculum and Development Committee (AC&D) and the submission of recommendation to Council.

 

The Council’s review of the recommendation of the AC&D.

 

Council may delay a decision and ask that the institution address issues. In such a case, the application would revert to Step 9 of the process.

 

The decision of Council is communicated to the institution in writing.

 

If accreditation is not granted, the institution reserves the right to appeal the decision.

  • The review of the Accreditation report and the Institution’s response by the Accreditation,
    Curriculum and Development Committee (AC&D) and the submission of recommendation to
    Council.
  • The Council’s review of the recommendation of the AC&D.
  • Council may delay a decision and ask that the institution address issues. In such a case, the
    application would revert to Step 9 of the process.
  • The decision of Council is communicated to the institution in writing.
  • If accreditation is not granted, the institution reserves the right to appeal the decision.

MONITORING

The institution that has been granted programme accreditation submits annual status reports during
the period of accreditation. For first time accreditation, the maximum period of accreditation is four
years. Subsequently, the maximum period is five years.

  • The institution that has been granted programme accreditation submits annual status reports during
    the period of accreditation. For first time accreditation, the maximum period of accreditation is four
    years. Subsequently, the maximum period is five years.

RE-ACCREDITATION

The institution submits an application to renew accreditation at the end of the period of
accreditation. A full re-evaluation of the programme(s) is undertaken.

  • The institution submits an application to renew accreditation at the end of the period of
    accreditation. A full re-evaluation of the programme(s) is undertaken.
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CAAM-HP

The legal authority which accredits education in medicine and other health professions is the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP).