PURPOSE OF RECOGNITION

INTRODUCTION

Academic recognition versus professional recognition

Recognition of foreign qualifications may be sought for different purposes, the most common being for access to further education and training (academic recognition) and/or the labour market (professional recognition). Academic recognition focuses on recognition of periods of study or qualifications issued by an educational institution with regard to a person wishing to continue or to begin studying or to use an academic title. Professional recognition is an official authorisation to practice a particular profession. It deals with the assessment of knowledge and skills of a specific person.

Assessment depends on purpose of recognition

It is important to take the purpose of recognition into consideration when assessing a foreign qualification in order to ensure the assessment is both accurate and relevant. The assessment and recognition of a qualification for entry into the labour market or a regulated profession may differ from the assessment and recognition of a qualification for admission to further studies. In other words, the assessment of the required learning outcomes and competences related to a completed qualification may vary depending on the purpose of recognition.