The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued a public advisory warning students planning to pursue higher education abroad to verify the approved mode of study before enrolling in foreign degree programs.
According to the advisory, degrees registered as on-campus or conventional programs but completed entirely through online or blended learning modes will not be recognized by the HEC after Spring 2026 unless such arrangements are approved by the relevant regulatory authority in the country where the institution is based.
The commission advised students to confirm that a program’s mode of study is officially recognized by the country’s regulator or accrediting body and that all physical residency requirements are met in accordance with applicable regulations.
HEC said the policy applies to students currently enrolled in foreign universities as well as those planning to study abroad. The commission urged applicants to carefully verify program details with their institutions before enrollment to avoid recognition issues in the future.
The advisory also noted that degree equivalence applications will continue to be assessed on their individual merits through HEC’s online system.