ENIC (Ecctis): how to get a CIS degree recognised in the UK
UK ENIC (formerly UK NARIC, now operated by Ecctis) assesses foreign qualifications and issues a Statement of Comparability for UCAS applications, postgraduate study, professional registration, and employment. A certified translation is required — but not just any translation.
- UK ENIC requires a certified translation of your degree and transcript if they are not in English.
- Notarised translations from CIS countries are not accepted by ENIC — UK-format certification is required.
- A Russian "specialist" degree (5 years) is usually compared to a UK Master's. A "bachelor's" degree (4 years, post-1996) — to a UK Bachelor Honours.
- Standard ENIC processing: approximately 15 working days. Fast-track: 3–5 working days.
- The most commonly requested product is the Statement of Comparability — required for UCAS, postgraduate applications, and some employers.
What is UK ENIC (Ecctis)?
UK ENIC (the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills, operated by Ecctis) is the designated body in the UK that assesses foreign qualifications. It replaced UK NARIC in 2021.
ENIC issues several types of assessment. The most commonly needed is a Statement of Comparability — a document that compares your foreign qualification to its nearest UK equivalent. For example: "Diploma of Higher Education (Specialist), Tashkent State Technical University, 2018 — comparable to a UK Bachelor Honours degree."
When is ENIC needed?
- UCAS undergraduate applications — UCAS recommends a Statement of Comparability for all international applicants with non-UK qualifications.
- Postgraduate study — many UK universities accept a Statement of Comparability instead of assessing foreign degrees internally.
- Professional registration — some regulated professions (nursing, medicine, teaching, engineering) require ENIC assessment as part of the registration process.
- Employment — some employers and government bodies request an ENIC Statement of Comparability when hiring internationally.
- Skilled Worker Visa — not a standard UKVI requirement, but may be requested by the sponsor or professional regulator.
What documents ENIC requires
The standard pack for most CIS degrees:
- Degree / diploma — the original document or a certified copy, plus a certified translation into English if not already in English.
- Academic transcript — the list of subjects, grades, and credit hours. Also requires a certified translation if not in English.
- Diploma supplement — if issued by your institution (common in post-Bologna Russian and Kazakh universities).
- Proof of identity — a copy of the passport data page.
ENIC's translation requirement: all documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation with a Certificate of Accuracy from a qualified translator. Notarised translations from CIS notaries do not meet this requirement.
Specifics of CIS degrees in ENIC assessments
A 5-year degree obtained before or during the Bologna reform (before approximately 2010) is typically compared to a UK Master's degree by ENIC. A 4-year bachelor's degree (post-1996) — to a UK Bachelor Honours.
A Ukrainian "specialist" (5 years) — typically Master's level by ENIC. A "bakalavr" (4 years) — Bachelor Honours level. The Candidate of Sciences (Кандидат наук) — typically PhD level.
Post-Soviet degree structures align broadly with Russia. A 4-year bakalavr — Bachelor Honours. A 2-year magistr — Master's. A 5-year specialist (for older degrees) — typically Master's. ENIC assesses each case individually, taking into account the specific institution.
Step-by-step ENIC process
- Obtain certified translations of your degree and transcript if they are not in English. A translation in the UK format (with Certificate of Accuracy) is required — not a CIS notarial stamp.
- Register on ecctis.com and select the type of assessment you need. For most purposes, the Statement of Comparability.
- Upload your documents — both the originals and the translations. Scanned copies are accepted for the initial assessment; hard copies may be requested for some types of assessment.
- Pay the fee. As of 2026, a standard Statement of Comparability costs £72–£95 depending on the service type. Current fees are on ecctis.com.
- Await the assessment. Standard: approximately 15 working days. Fast-track: 3–5 working days.
- Receive the Statement of Comparability — in digital form (PDF) and, if requested, as a hard copy by post.
Related guides
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