Professional awards safe from Brexit

United Kingdom national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills (UK NARIC), the agency contracted by the government to assess international education and improve recognition of awards globally, has sought to reassure those with professional qualifications that even a hard ‘no-deal’ Brexit would not threaten their awards’ recognition. The European Commission also ensured that decisions made prior to the UK's withdrawal would remain intact. In a letter sent to NARIC members and organisations, the agency made clear that the UK government’s ‘no-deal’ plan included a guarantee for professional qualification recognition.

According to the letter, the government will move the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directives from European law (which will be repealed) to UK law. This will be supplemented by an Explanatory Memorandum and potentially further legislation to be presented to parliament. The government has also confirmed that any decision on recognition made prior to the country’s departure from the EU will be unaffected. This will be judged on the origin of the qualification, rather than the nationality of the holder, according to the letter.