Overview

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has the statutory responsibility to determine the recognition and equivalence of academic or professional qualification at the postsecondary education level obtained in or outside Mauritius.

What is recognition and equivalence of qualifications?

Recognition of qualifications is a process of formally acknowledging the appropriateness of a certain qualification for a specific purpose including enabling the qualification holder to access further and/or higher educational, and/or employment activities.

Equivalence of qualifications on the other hand is a process of formally establishing as to whether two or more qualifications are equal or deemed to be equal or comparable in value.

Guideline for submission of application for recognition and equivalence

For the recognition/equivalence of postsecondary educational qualifications, an applicant should submit the following to the TEC:

• A completed application form (as per format established by the TEC);
• Copies of the certificate(s) for which recognition/equivalence is (are) being sought;
• Details of programme followed including syllabi and transcripts.
• An application fee of MUR 1000 or USD 40 (for non citizens) per qualification for recognition of academic or professional qualification
• An application fee of MUR 2000 or USD 80 (for non citizens) per programme for equivalence of academic or professional qualification

The applicant may also submit any other documents certifying his or her education, including those related to qualifications for professional activities, practical training, etc. All the documents must be accompanied by certified translations, if required.

The applicant should submit the application in person at the TEC during office hours and produce originals of the qualifications for which recognition/equivalence are being sought. The officer of the TEC receiving the application would verify the originals and certify the copies and return the original to the applicant with acknowledgement of receipt of the application. The applicant should effect the necessary payment according to the established fees by the TEC.

When necessary, the TEC may require additional information and materials from the applicant.

The applicant should ensure that the application submitted is complete at the moment of submission. If the application is not complete, the TEC will within 2 weeks provide the applicant with clear information on the missing documents to be supplied before considering the case.

Processing of Applications

When processing the application, the following matters will be taken into consideration:

• whether or not the educational institution which awarded the postsecondary educational qualification is officially recognized in the home country;
• whether or not the educational qualification is officially recognized in the home country;
• whether or not there is an agreement for recognition/equivalence of the given qualification with Mauritius;
• whether or not there is a precedent for the recognition/equivalence of the given qualification in Mauritius;
• the content of the curricula and syllabi of the programme of study;
• any entrance requirements and examinations;
• the number of contact hours for each module taken in the programme;
• the evaluation and examination systems;
• the grades earned for the period of education;
• workplace/institutions attachments;
• mode of education;
• complementary education;
• exemptions/rights granted to the holder of the certificate in the home country.

Greater attention will be paid to the acquired knowledge, learning outcomes and skills than to differences in curricula and to methods of teaching.

The decision to recognise or to give equivalence for the qualification may also be based on international agreements and conventions on recognition matters, to which Mauritius is a signatory, or on intergovernmental or bilateral agreements or exchange programmes, or on a precedent.

The application for recognition/equivalence will be examined individually by the TEC in alignment with the National Qualification framework.

Decision

Within two months of receipt of the complete application and supporting documents, the applicant will be informed of the decision of the TEC.

There are two possible decisions which the TEC can take:

1. It may recognise the qualifications, and/or give equivalence
2. It may reject the application.

Appeal

In case of decision (b), the TEC will clearly state the reasons for its decision. In the event that the applicant decides to appeal against the decision, an application should be lodged within 14 days of the receipt of the decision specifying the decision being appealed, the grounds for appeal and the remedy being sought. The application will be considered anew by an Appeal Committee set up by the TEC Board. The decision of the Appeal Committee shall be final.

List of Institutions recognised by TEC for which an application for recognition has duly been made to the TEC ( In addition to public institutions and private post secondary educational institutions registered with TEC and operating in Mauritius )