A question we get a lot from American students is if UK universities are accredited, which is really a fancy way of asking: are UK degrees viable and accepted in the United States?
You’ll be happy to know the answer is yes, with a few exceptions for specialty fields.
American students are most familiar with Regional Accreditation Organizations in the United States. Of course, UK universities are not accredited by these US organizations, but by their own accreditation system in the UK, called the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). According to QAA’s website and in their words, they are an “independent charity working to benefit students and higher education, and one of the world’s experts in quality assurance. We are trusted by higher education providers and regulatory bodies to maintain and enhance quality and standards. We work with governments, agencies and institutions globally to benefit UK higher education and its international reputation.”
Universities are also accredited through external examiners, who are drawn from a pool of academic staff from other institutions, as well as business and industry professionals. These examiners routinely assess the quality of a university’s education as compared with other universities, as well as observing assessment processes to make sure things are up to standard.
These rigorous accreditation practices make the UK one of the most trusted and accepted degrees around the globe. 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.
Here are examples of degrees where extra accreditation may be needed to use a UK degree in the USA:
Nursing
Teaching Credentials (may not transfer over depending on the state)
Medicine
Social Work
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Law (may not be able to sit the bar exam depending on the state)
Architecture
Psychology at the PhD level (if you are wanting to become licensed as a therapist)
Disclaimer: We always recommend doing your own independent research and asking experts in your field about the transferability of UK degrees. State licensing and accreditation boards in the US are especially good sources to ask about this.
Please note that the majority of UK degrees will not need extra accreditation for use in the US. This includes humanities, science, mathematics, business, and a plethora of other degrees! When in doubt, The UK Study Expert can help point you in the right direction about which degrees may need more accreditation.
If you want to ensure that you are making the right decision in the application process, our advisors can support you throughout the process and help you get into your dream UK university!
Ashley Jeanson is an international education expert with over 9 years of experience in the field. She’s worked for a mixture of study abroad providers, universities in the US and the UK, and third-party providers, mostly specializing in helping American students attend UK universities. In her spare time, she travels the globe and is eternally in search of the best cup of coffee.
