The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has issued a public advisory warning students and parents about transnational education (TNE) programmes. Under HEC’s Transnational Education (TNE) Policy, a foreign university can only deliver degree programmes in Pakistan through an approved local partner institution and only at designated campuses.
Students studying or planning to study any such foreign programme offered locally must first check that both the partnering institution and the specific programme appear on HEC’s official list of recognised transnational and foreign-collaboration institutions. Enrolment or payment without this verification can result in a degree that HEC will not recognise or equate.
What the TNE Recognition Covers
HEC recognition applies only when:
- The foreign awarding institution itself is recognised by HEC for that specific collaboration.
- The programme is delivered under an approved collaboration agreement.
- The exact degree programme is listed under the approved arrangement.
- Classes are held at the designated location(s) or campus of delivery.
Any unlisted partner, unapproved degree, or undesignated site will not be recognised by HEC.
List of Approved Transnational Institutions
HEC has published a list of approved transnational institutions. These include collaborations involving institutions such as the University of Bolton (Islamabad Campus, Rawalpindi), Westminster International College (multiple campuses), Beaconhouse School System, and several others operating under formal agreements. The full and updated list is available on the HEC website.
How to Verify
Students are strongly advised to verify the official status of any transnational or foreign-collaboration programme before applying or paying fees.
- Verify Institutions: https://hec.gov.pk/site/TNEI
- TNE Policy: https://hec.gov.pk/site/TNE
A foreign university does not, by itself, make every local programme or delivery site automatically approved. Only programmes that meet HEC’s TNE requirements are valid for recognition in Pakistan.
HEC has urged all students and parents to check the official lists carefully to avoid future problems with degree equivalence, employment or further studies.
