Question1: What is the procedure for getting equivalence during the COVID-19    pandemic?

Answer:  The applicants are required to send their original as well as photocopies of all the relevant documents as mentioned on equivalence proforma (E-01) to "Local Equivalence Section, A&A Division, Higher Education Commission, H-9, Islamabad" through TCS service.

Question2: What is the procedure to get equivalence of a local/Pakistani degree?

Answer:   Equivalence of Pakistani degrees is determined by HEC on individual basis upon submission of all requisite documents supported by equivalence proforma E-01 which is available at HEC official (https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/students/Equivalence%20Degree%20Issuance/Documents/E-01.pdf)

Question3: Can Regional Centers of HEC issue Equivalence Letter?

Answer:     No, HEC Regional Centers are not authorized to issue equivalence letters.

Question4:  How can I submit documents for local equivalence?

Answer:    

• Download E-01 application Form from HEC website.

• Fill up the E-01 Application Form and Bank Challan and put your signatures on it.

• Deposit Rs.2000/- (non-refundable) on the attached Challan form in HEC online bank account.

• Attach Bachelor and onward original degrees and transcripts and a photocopy set of the same plus photocopy of CNIC along with the application form and send it through TCS courier service to "Local Equivalence Section, A&A Division, Higher Education Commission, H-9, Islamabad".

Question5:  What is the processing fee for equivalence of Pakistani Degree/Diploma/Certificate and how to deposit the fee?

Answer:   Rs. 2000/- (non-refundable) is charged for equivalence of Pakistani degree (PhD/MPhil/MS/Masters/BS (Hons)/Diploma/Certificate) which can be deposited through online challan form (attached with application form E-01) in HEC income account.

Question6: Can I submit expired CNIC for getting local degree equivalence certificate?

Answer:    No, the CNIC must be valid.

Question7:  If I have a variation in details on educational documents. Can I get equivalence from HEC?

Answer:    No, It is mandatory for applicants that Name and Father's Name, date of birth and all other details must be same on all educational documents and CNIC or Passport (in case of foreign national).

Question8:  My University has not yet issued degree to me. Can I get equivalence certificate on the basis of transcript only?

Answer:    Yes, you can get provisional equivalence certificate on the basis of transcript subject to verification of your transcript from the concerned Controller of Examinations/Authorized officers of respective University/DAI. Final Equivalence Certificate will be issued on provision of degree.

Question9:  Can I get equivalence certificate from HEC for incomplete studies?

Answer:     No, HEC does not grant equivalence certificate against incomplete studies.

Question10: I am a married female applicant. Do I need any additional documents for getting equivalence certificate?

 Answer:   Yes, for female married applicants, a copy of Marriage Certificate/NikkahNama/old CNIC before marriage or any other appropriate documentary evidence is essential in order to ascertain her identity.

Question11:  Can I authorize someone to submit documents on my behalf to TCS?

Answer:    Yes, an authorized person along with the authority letter duly verified by a Gazatted officer of Grade-17 or above can submit documents to TCS on your behalf.

Question12: Can I get equivalence certificate from HEC on the basis of transcript awarded through constituent/affiliated college/institute/department of HEC's Chartered Universities/DAI?

Answer:   In such cases, transcript issued by constituent/affiliated college/institute/department must be verified/attested by concerned Controller of Examinations/authorized officers of respective University/DAI.

Question13:   I have done Associate Degree after 12-year schooling. Is it equivalent to Bachelor (Pass) degree involving 14-year of schooling?

Answer:     Yes, as per HEC approved policy, 2-year Associate degree (comprising 60-66 credit hours with 04 regular semesters excluding summer semesters) awarded by HEC Chartered Universities/DAIs is equivalent to generally old BA/BSc (14 years schooling). However, equivalence of degrees is determined by HEC on individual basis upon submission of application on the prescribed equivalence proforma (E-01) along with all relevant documents and fee.

Question14:  I have done Associate Degree program (ADP) in Education. Is it equivalent to BEd degree?

Answer:    No, it's not equivalent to BEd.

Question15: I have done 4-year BS (Hons) degree program after 12-year schooling. Is it equivalent to old Master's Degree involving 16-year of schooling?

Answer:     Yes, as per approved policy, any 4-year Bachelor (Hons) degree (minimum 124-136 credit hours with 08 regular semesters excluding summer semesters) awarded by HEC chartered Universities/DAI after 12-year schooling is generally recognized by HEC as equivalent to MA/MSc degree in their own field of specialization involving 16-year of schooling. However, equivalence of degrees is determined by HEC on individual basis upon submission of application on the relevant equivalence proforma (E-01) along with all relevant documents and fee.

Question16:  I have done Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) Degree. Is it equivalent to old MBA involving 16-year of schooling?

Answer:  Yes, as per HEC approved policy, 2-year Bachelor of Business Studies degree (comprising 60-66 credit hours with 04 regular semesters excluding summer semesters) awarded by HEC Chartered Universities/DAIs is similar to old MBA (16 years schooling). However, equivalence of degrees is determined by HEC on individual basis upon submission of application on the prescribed equivalence proforma (E-01) along with relevant documents and fee.

Question17: I have done Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering degree. Is it equivalent to Bachelor of Science in Computer Science?

Answer:  No, both these degrees are not equivalent.

Question18:   What is the equivalence policy of HEC regarding BSc Post RN?

Answer:     2-year Bachelor of Science (Post RN) degree awarded after completion of Diploma in Nursing followed by Diploma in Midwifery or 01 year related specialty duly recognized by Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) and passing compulsory subjects at Bachelor (Pass) level i.e. English, Pakistan Studies and Islamic Studies is equated as 16 years qualification. However equivalence of degrees is determined by HEC on individual basis subject to submission of detailed documents on the prescribed equivalence proforma (E-01).

Question19:  I have done 1.5 years BEd (Hons) degree after 16 years non-relevant education. Is it equivalent to MA Education/MEd?

Answer:  No, as per Teacher Education Roadmap, the holder of BEd (1.5 years) degree obtained after 16 years of non-relevant qualification is not equivalent to M.A Education/MEd.

Question20: I have done 1.5 years B.Ed (Hons) degree after 16 years non-relevant education. Am I eligible to get admission in MS/MPhil Education?

Answer: Yes, as per Teacher Education Roadmap, the holder of BEd (1.5 years) degree obtained after 16 years non-relevant education is eligible to get admission into MS/MPhil Education after fulfilling all other eligibility conditions of the admitting university/DAI.

Question21:  Is MS equivalent to MPhil?

Answer:     Yes, both these degrees are awarded after completion of minimum 30 credit hours. The level of these degrees is same.

Question22:  I have done 3.5-year MBA after Bachelor /14-year schooling, is it equivalent to MS/MPhil?

Answer:   Yes, as per roadmap for Business Education, 3.5-year MBA degree (minimum 90-96 credit hours with 07 regular semesters excluding summer semesters) after Bachelor/14-year schooling is generally recognized by HEC as equivalent to MS/MPhil degree involving 18-year of schooling in the relevant field. However, equivalence of degrees is determined by HEC on individual basis upon submission of application on the relevant equivalence proforma (E-01) along with all original documents and fee.

Question23: I have done Master of Laws (LLM) from an HEC recognized University/DAI. Is it equivalent to MPhil?

Answer:    Yes, 2-year LLM degree awarded by HEC Chartered Universities/DAIs after LL.B is generally recognized by HEC as equivalent to MPhil degree in general stream involving 18 years of schooling. However, equivalence of degrees is determined by HEC on individual basis upon submission of application on the prescribed equivalence proforma (E-01) along with relevant documents and fee.

Question24: Is it mandatory for my University to get NOC from HEC to start MS/MPhil/PhD or equivalent academic programs?

Answer: HEC only requires NOC for all those postgraduate degree programs i.e. MBA/MS/MPhil/PhD or equivalent which have been launched by Universities/DAIs after November 07, 2013 (List of NOC's is available on HEC website https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/faculty/Plagiarism/Documents/Updated-list-NOC-Issued.pdf

Question25: I have done FCPS/MCPS. Can I get admission in PhD?

Answer:    Yes, the holders of MCPS and FCPS duly recognized by PM&DC (Now PMC) are eligible to get admission into PhD degree program subject to fulfillment of all other eligibility conditions laid down by the admitting University/DAI.

Question26:  I got admission in an affiliated college/institution in MS/MPhil degree program after March 07, 2016. Can I get equivalence certificate against my MS/MPhil degree from HEC?

Answer:     As per Quality Assurance Division of HEC's letter No. 1-AD/QA/HEC/NOC(Affiliated Colleges)/2016/122 dated 13.04.2016, MS/MPhil/PhD or equivalent degree programs cannot be launched at affiliated colleges/institutes. Any such degree awarded in violation of above instructions cannot be equated by HEC.

Question27: Does HEC play any role in recruitment process after issuance of equivalence certificate?

Answer:  No, HEC has no role in recruitment process or determining eligibility for any post.

Question28:   Does HEC play any role in admission of candidates for higher studies after issuance of equivalence certificate?

Answer:    No, HEC does not play any role in admission of candidates for higher studies.

Question29:   I have lost my original equivalence certificate. Can I get a duplicate equivalence certificate?          

 Answer:    Yes, the degree holder himself/herself or through authorized person can apply for issuance of duplicate equivalence letter subject to fulfillment of the following conditions:

• Duplicate Equivalence Fee of Rs. 300/- in favor of HEC (Non-refundable) through bank draft.
  

• Applicant has to provide/submit an affidavit for loss of original equivalence letter.
  

• The applicant or his authorized person (if applied through authorized person) will have to apply on plain paper and provide copy of CNIC alongwith degrees and transcripts.
  

Question30: Is HEC issuing equivalence certificate against CA/ICMA and ACCA qualifications on individual basis?

Answer:   No, as per approved policy, HEC is not issuing equivalence certificate against CA/ICMA and ACCA qualifications on individual basis. A general Notification in this regard is already available on HECwebsite https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/students/Equivalence%20Degree%20Issuance/Documents/Equ-Notification.pdf

Question31:  There is an erasing/overwriting on my degree/transcript. Is it acceptable for the purpose of issuing equivalence certificate?

Answer:    No, erasing/overwriting on any document is not acceptable for issuing equivalence   certificate.

Question32: Where can I find the list of HEC recognized Universities/DAIs?

Answer:   Following is the link of HEC recognized Universities/DAIs:

                 https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/universities/pages/recognised.aspx

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