Getting Kenyan Qualifications Recognised Abroad 2026
Before you can work or study abroad, your Kenyan academic qualifications must be evaluated and recognised by the destination country. This process, called credential evaluation or foreign qualification recognition, verifies that your Kenyan degree is equivalent to a local qualification. Each country has different evaluation agencies and processes.
Credential Evaluation by Country
| Country | Evaluation Agency | Cost | Processing Time | Typical Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | WES, IQAS, ICAS, WES | CAD 220-280 | 4-8 weeks | Kenyan BA = Canadian bachelor's |
| UK | UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) | GBP 50-120 | 10-15 working days | Comparable to UK bachelor's |
| Australia | VETASSESS, ACS, ANMAC, Engineers AU | AUD 500-1,000 | 6-16 weeks | Comparable to Australian bachelor's |
| USA | WES, ECE, CGFNS, NACES members | USD 160-300 | 4-8 weeks | Equivalent to US bachelor's |
| Germany | anabin database / ZAB | EUR 200 | 4-12 weeks | Vergleichbar (comparable) |
| New Zealand | NZQA (NZ Qualifications Authority) | NZD 692-1,074 | 4-8 weeks | Comparable to NZ Level 7 |
| Ireland | QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) | EUR 200 | 4-8 weeks | Comparable to NFQ Level 8 |
| South Africa | SAQA (SA Qualifications Authority) | ZAR 1,280 | 6-8 weeks | Comparable to NQF Level 7 |
WES (World Education Services) - Canada & USA
WES is the most widely used credential evaluation service for Canada Express Entry and many US institutions.
Step-by-Step Process for Kenyans
- Create WES account: Register at wes.org. Select Canada (IRCC evaluation for immigration) or US (course-by-course for employment/study)
- Pay the fee: CAD 220 (document-by-document) or CAD 280 (course-by-course). Pay online
- Request documents from your university:
- Official transcripts in a sealed envelope directly from the university to WES
- Degree certificate (certified copy)
- WES reference number must be written on the envelope
- Send documents: Your university mails transcripts directly to WES. You can also use WES Gateway programme with select Kenyan universities
- Wait for evaluation: 4-8 weeks after WES receives all documents
- Receive report: WES sends the evaluation report to IRCC (for Canada immigration) or to you/institutions
Kenyan Qualification Equivalencies (WES)
| Kenyan Qualification | Canadian/US Equivalent | Points (Express Entry) |
|---|---|---|
| KCSE Certificate | Secondary school diploma | 30 points |
| Diploma (3 years) | Three-year diploma | 90 points |
| Bachelor's Degree (4 years) | Bachelor's degree | 120 points |
| Master's Degree | Master's degree | 135 points |
| PhD | Doctoral degree | 150 points |
Professional Registration Bodies
For regulated professions, you need both academic credential evaluation AND professional body registration.
| Profession | Kenya Body | UK | Canada | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurses | NCK | NMC | Provincial Colleges | AHPRA/ANMAC |
| Doctors | KMPDB | GMC | MCC/Provincial | AMC/AHPRA |
| Engineers | EBK | Engineering Council | Engineers Canada | Engineers Australia |
| Pharmacists | PPB | GPhC | PEBC | AHPRA |
| Teachers | TSC | TRA (QTS) | Provincial | State authorities |
| Accountants | ICPAK | ACCA/ICAEW | CPA Canada | CA ANZ |
| Lawyers | LSK | SRA | NCA | Legal admission board |
Tips for Successful Credential Evaluation
- Start early: Evaluation can take 4-16 weeks. Begin as soon as you decide to move abroad
- Contact your university first: Ensure they can send sealed transcripts. Some Kenyan universities are slow - follow up persistently
- Keep originals safe: Never send original certificates. Send certified copies
- Name consistency: Ensure your name on certificates matches your passport exactly. If different, get an affidavit
- CUE verification: If your university asks you to verify through CUE (Commission for University Education), this is standard for Kenyan qualifications going abroad
- KNEC for KCSE: If you need a certified copy of your KCSE certificate, apply through KNEC in Nairobi
- Professional certificates: Get your professional registration verified - NCK, EBK, KMPDB, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Kenyan degrees from CUE-recognised universities are generally well-regarded and accepted globally. A 4-year Kenyan bachelor's degree is typically evaluated as equivalent to a bachelor's degree in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and most other countries. Master's and PhD qualifications are also recognised. Always get a formal evaluation through the appropriate agency.
Costs vary by country: WES (Canada): CAD 220-280. UK ENIC: GBP 50-120. NZQA (NZ): NZD 692-1,074. Skills assessment (Australia): AUD 500-1,000 (profession-specific). Add courier costs for sending documents. Budget KSh 25,000 - 80,000 total depending on the country and profession.