How to Check if Someone Has a University Degree: 5 Verified Methods (2025)

I recently came across a shocking statistic: according to HRO Today, 54% of people lie about having a university degree they don't actually possess. During my time working with universities across the UK, I've seen firsthand how this growing issue affects both employers and educational institutions.

When you're responsible for hiring decisions or managing compliance, verifying academic credentials isn't just a box-ticking exercise – it's crucial for protecting your organisation's reputation and ensuring you're bringing in genuinely qualified talent. But with various verification methods available, from contacting universities directly to using blockchain-powered digital credentials, it's not always clear which approach is most efficient or reliable.

I've spent the past two years working closely with universities and verification services, learning the ins and outs of credential verification. In this guide, I'll walk you through five proven methods to verify university degrees, complete with current costs, timeframes, and practical tips from my experience in both the education and SaaS sectors.

Why Verify University Degrees?

The need to verify university degrees has never been more critical than it is today, with qualification fraud becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.

Did you know that the global market for fake degrees is now worth a staggering £17 billion? That's a clear indication of just how serious this issue has become.

What's even more concerning is that up to 70% of job applicants include false information on their CVs, with academic credentials being a prime target for manipulation.

The rise of remote hiring has made it even easier for candidates to submit falsified credentials without immediate detection. In fact, remote work has significantly increased fake job applications, creating additional security risks for organizations.

Modern fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods:

• Using advanced technologies like deepfakes and AI to create convincing fake qualifications
• Setting up proxy servers to mask their digital footprint
• Building elaborate false online presences to support fraudulent claims
• Creating fake university websites and verification systems

For regulated industries like healthcare and finance, the stakes are particularly high. Hiring someone with fake credentials isn't just a costly mistake - it's a serious legal liability that could result in substantial penalties. Each bad hire costs organizations more than £2,000, and that's before considering potential regulatory fines. The consequences can be severe:

• Healthcare organisations face fines up to £50,000 per violation
• Financial institutions risk regulatory actions including license revocation
• Professional indemnity insurance may be invalidated

The financial implications extend beyond just the hiring process. When unqualified candidates slip through the net, organisations face significant costs in terms of training, reduced productivity, and eventual replacement. The national cost-per-hire average is nearly $4,700, making every hiring mistake a costly setback.

Think about it - every time you hire someone with false credentials, you're not just risking your company's reputation, you're potentially putting your clients, patients, or stakeholders at risk. The case of George O'Leary, a former Notre Dame football coach who was forced to resign after it was discovered he had falsified his academic credentials, demonstrates how qualification fraud can lead to significant reputational damage and public embarrassment.

That's why proper degree verification isn't just an administrative task - it's a crucial risk management strategy that protects your organisation on multiple fronts. Industry bodies like the Society for Human Resource Management strongly recommend thorough background checks, including degree verification, as an essential part of the hiring process.

Perhaps the most concerning statistic is that over half of higher education professionals don't feel confident in detecting fake degrees, even with training. This highlights just how sophisticated credential fraud has become, and why robust verification methods are absolutely essential. Modern solutions using blockchain technology to secure credentials are becoming increasingly important, as they provide tamper-proof verification that makes credential fraud virtually impossible.

For regulated industries, continuous monitoring is becoming increasingly important. It's no longer enough to verify credentials just at the hiring stage - organisations need to regularly update and verify credentials to ensure ongoing compliance and maintain professional standards. This ongoing verification process helps protect against both initial fraud and subsequent qualification expiry or revocation.

Step 1: Contact the University Directly

Getting in touch with a university's registrar's office is actually the most reliable way to verify someone's degree - they're the ones who have all the original records, after all. Accepting applicant-supplied documents like diplomas is incredibly risky.

You'll need to connect with their verification department, which is usually part of the registrar's office. Most universities have a dedicated team of verification officers and data analysts specifically trained to handle these requests and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. Their primary role is to maintain the integrity of academic records while providing swift and accurate verification services.

• Most universities now have dedicated online portals for degree verification requests
• They typically require a signed consent form from the graduate before releasing any information
• Some still handle requests through email or phone, but this is becoming less common
• Verification departments use encrypted communication channels and secure online portals to protect personal data
• For international degrees, you may need to request translated versions of certificates
• Many universities offer automated verification services that can provide instant results once all required documentation is submitted, while some are adopting digital credentialing platforms that allow instant verification through blockchain technology

What Information You'll Need to Provide

Time and Cost Considerations

The verification process usually takes between 5-10 working days, though this can vary significantly between institutions. Some universities offer expedited services that can complete verifications within 24-48 hours, though these typically come with additional fees.

Costs typically range from £10-30 per verification request, with some key factors affecting the price:

• Urgency of the request (express service often costs more)
• Age of the qualification (older records may incur additional fees)
• Whether you need additional documentation beyond basic verification
• International verification requirements (translation services, additional authentication)
• Special circumstances like merged institutions or name changes

Most universities will provide a basic verification for free if you're the degree holder requesting your own records. This service typically includes confirmation of the degree awarded, classification, and year of graduation.

Important Things to Remember

Make sure you've got written consent from the person whose degree you're verifying - universities won't release any information without it. This is a legal requirement under data protection regulations like GDPR in the EU/UK and FERPA in the US.

Keep in mind that older qualifications might take longer to verify, especially if they predate digital record-keeping. Universities maintain historical records and archives, but accessing these may require additional time and resources. Some records from before 1970 might be stored in physical archives, which can extend the verification timeline. Pre-1983 degree verifications often require direct contact with the registrar's office.

Some universities might also require the request to come from an official company email address if you're verifying as an employer. This helps ensure that verifications are only processed for legitimate purposes.

For merged institutions or those that have changed names, the verification department can help navigate these complexities - they maintain records of institutional mergers, name changes, and transitions, ensuring a complete historical record is always available.

Step 2: Use National Verification Services

Direct verification from institutions is the most reliable way to check if someone has a university degree, as they directly access official educational records. These services provide thorough, legally-compliant verification that can protect your organisation from qualification fraud. With significant increases in fraudulent credentialing practices globally, these verification services are more important than ever.

HEDD - The UK's Official Degree Verification Service

The Higher Education Degree Datacheck (HEDD) is the UK's official system for verifying university qualifications.

You'll need to create an account and get consent from the candidate before checking their degree. While there is a fee per check, it's worth it for the peace of mind of getting verification directly from a trusted source.

HEDD connects to over 140 UK universities, making it a comprehensive solution for most UK degree checks.

For HEDD verification, you'll need to provide:

• The individual's full name
• Date of birth
• Course and qualification details
• Year of graduation
• Degree result

Automatic verifications are immediate if the information matches exactly, while manual verifications typically take around five working days.

The verification report will clearly state whether the enquiry data has been verified, partially verified, or not verified, including specific details about the award, grade, and dates of attendance.

National Student Clearinghouse - USA's Central Verification Platform

In the United States, the National Student Clearinghouse is your go-to service for degree verification. Their online verification services provide instant, accurate, and secure verification of high school diplomas and postsecondary degrees.

They cover nearly all accredited US institutions, though you'll need the candidate's consent and some basic information like their name, date of birth, and the university they attended.

To use the Clearinghouse, you'll need to create an account at degreeverify.org and provide proof of your company's legal registration. The verification report covers comprehensive academic credentials including:

• High school diplomas
• Postsecondary degrees
• Current enrollment status
• Past dates of attendance

Step 3: Engage Professional Background Check Services

Professional background check services are becoming an increasingly popular way to verify university degrees, particularly for employers who need to check multiple candidates or international qualifications. With half of UK employers falling victim to degree fraud, these services provide crucial protection.

These services have direct connections with universities worldwide and can provide comprehensive verification within days. Many are accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA), which requires providers to maintain strict standards across 68 specific practices related to information security, legal compliance, and client education.

Understanding Background Check Providers

The three main players in this space are Sterling, HireRight, and First Advantage.

Each offers slightly different services, but they all specialise in thorough academic verification that covers everything from attendance dates to specific degree classifications. They typically maintain partnerships with major educational database networks like the European Network of Information Centres (ENIC) and the National Academic Recognition Information Centres (NARIC) for European verifications.

These services verify degrees by directly contacting the educational institutions or their authorised agents who archive the institution's records. This direct contact ensures the highest level of accuracy and authenticity in verification. This thoroughness is particularly important given that candidates at all levels regularly embellish their credentials, yet only half of employers verify education credentials.

If they spot any inconsistencies, they'll obtain additional documentation from the institution to confirm the candidate's claims. They can even handle unique verification challenges like degrees from institutions that have closed (using historical records and state archives) or institutions that have merged (by cross-referencing records from both original and merged institutions).

What Gets Verified

When you use a professional background check service, they'll conduct a comprehensive verification of:

• Dates of attendance
• Graduation date
• Type of degree awarded
• Major and minor subjects
• Honours or distinctions
• Institution accreditation status
• Any disciplinary actions or academic sanctions
• Authenticity of transcripts and certificates

Most providers now integrate smoothly with HR systems and Applicant Tracking Systems (like Workday, BambooHR, and ADP Workforce Now), which means you can track verification progress in real-time and store results directly in your candidate management system.

International Verification

One of the biggest advantages of using these services is their ability to verify international degrees efficiently and accurately.

They have established relationships with universities worldwide and understand the specific documentation requirements for different countries. They maintain partnerships with regional verification authorities like CHESICC for Chinese qualifications or the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) for Indian degrees.

This international verification typically involves:

• Translation services for foreign language documents
• Verification of institution accreditation in the specific country
• Understanding of country-specific education systems
• Compliance with international data protection laws
• Direct verification with institutions in countries without central databases
• Adherence to GDPR and local data protection regulations

Costs and Packages

Most providers offer different packages depending on your needs:

• Basic verification (degree confirmation only): £15-30 per check
• Standard verification (includes attendance dates and major): £30-50 per check
• Comprehensive verification (full academic history): £50-100 per check

Many also offer bulk pricing for businesses that need to run multiple checks, which can significantly reduce the per-check cost.

Turnaround Times

While most verifications are completed within 3-7 business days, several factors can affect this timeline:

• Location of the educational institution
• Age of the qualification
• Institution's response time
• Availability of electronic records
• Need for additional documentation or clarification
• International holidays and institutional closures

These services take care of chasing the institutions and handling any documentation requirements, saving you significant time and effort compared to conducting verifications yourself. They also maintain strict quality control measures, including multiple levels of review and validation, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their verifications. This systematic approach means you can trust the results and focus on making informed hiring decisions.

Step 4: Verify Through Digital Credential Platforms

digital credential platforms have completely transformed how we verify university degrees, making the process faster and more secure than ever before. As digital credentials gain recognition for validating expertise, they're becoming increasingly important for career growth.

The technology works through blockchain - which is essentially a digital ledger that can't be changed or tampered with once information is recorded on it. This revolutionary approach has made degree verification not just more secure, but also significantly more efficient.

How Digital Credential Platforms Work

When a university issues a degree through a digital credential platform, they create a secure digital version that's stored on the blockchain. While traditional verification can take 3-5 business days, digital verification happens instantly through blockchain.

This digital degree comes with a unique QR code or verification link that anyone can use to instantly check if it's real. The process eliminates the traditional paperwork and waiting times that used to make degree verification such a hassle.

Digital Wallets: Your Portable Credential Storage

Think of a digital wallet as a secure online folder where someone stores their university degrees and other academic achievements.

It's completely under their control - they choose who sees what and for how long. This level of control ensures privacy while maintaining transparency where needed.

The best part? These credentials can be easily shared on LinkedIn, making it simple for employers to verify qualifications. When shared, the credentials include important metadata like the issuer's identity, date of issuance, and specific criteria earned, ensuring full transparency.

Security Features That Matter

These platforms come with impressive security measures to prevent fraud. While paper diplomas are easily forged, digital credentials offer superior protection:

• Blockchain verification makes it impossible to forge credentials
• Every credential has a unique digital signature
• Any attempt to tamper with the credential breaks its blockchain link
• Real-time verification shows if a credential has been revoked
• Robust encryption standards protect stored credentials
• two-factor authentication and secure login mechanisms control access
• Recovery procedures are in place if wallet access is lost

The Verification Process

Checking someone's degree through a digital credential platform follows these simple steps:

1. Locate their digital credential (usually shared via link or QR code)
2. Scan the QR code or click the verification link
3. View the verified credential details instantly
4. Check the blockchain verification status
5. See any additional information the credential holder has chosen to share

This process takes seconds, not days, and you can be confident that what you're seeing is genuine. The risk of fraud is minimal compared to paper-based diplomas, and verification is instant.

These digital platforms are becoming the new standard for degree verification, offering a level of security and convenience that traditional paper certificates simply can't match. Major educational institutions are already adopting this technology - for instance, the University of Delaware has successfully implemented digital credentials, with a third of recipients storing them on their digital learner profiles and sharing them on LinkedIn for immediate employer verification.

The system is designed to prevent double-issuance through unique identifiers and secure issuance protocols, while industry bodies like 1EdTech ensure broad compatibility and interoperability across different platforms through standardised specifications like Open Badges. This standardisation ensures that credentials remain accessible and verifiable regardless of which platform is used.

Step 5: Request Original Documentation

Requesting original documentation is often the most reliable way to verify someone's university degree, though it requires more time and effort than other methods. Traditional paper-based verification systems face increasing challenges with fraud and forgery, making it crucial to understand the proper verification process.

What Documents to Request

The key documents you'll need to verify are:

• Original degree certificate
• Official academic transcripts
• Proof of enrollment or graduation letter (if needed)

These documents must come directly from the university's Registry or Academic Administration department in a sealed envelope or through a secure digital system to ensure authenticity. Many UK universities now use blockchain-secured digital credentials alongside traditional paper documents, which offer instant verification and tamper-proof security features. An increasing number of universities are adopting secure blockchain diplomas to enhance verification reliability. You can see an example here of how these credentials can be instantly verified.

Understanding Security Features

Modern university documents include several sophisticated security features that you should carefully examine:

International Degree Verification

When dealing with degrees from other countries, there are additional considerations and requirements:

Apostille Certification: This authentication is handled by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for international use. You'll need:

• The original degree certificate or certified copy
• Any required supporting documentation
• Payment for the service

Certified Translations: For documents not in English, you must use officially recognized translation services such as:

• The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
• The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)
• University-certified or sworn translators

A proper translation must include:

• Word-for-word translation of all text
• Translator's certification statement
• Official stamp or seal
• Date of translation

Authentication Services and Costs

Document authentication services can significantly streamline the verification process. Here's what you can expect in terms of timeframes and costs:

For international qualifications, specialist verification services like the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (NARIC) or the World Education Service (WES) can be invaluable resources. These organisations have extensive experience in evaluating and verifying international credentials.

Remember that while requesting original documentation might seem time-consuming and potentially costly, it remains one of the most secure and reliable methods of verification. Traditional credentialing systems can be costly and time-consuming, but they help protect against sophisticated forms of fraud. The investment in thorough verification is particularly valuable for senior positions or when other verification methods have raised red flags.

Always maintain detailed records of your verification process and ensure all information is handled confidentially in line with data protection regulations.

Checking University Degrees: Your Guide to Accurate Verification

Throughout my research into degree verification methods, I've seen how digital innovations are making this process more secure and efficient than ever before. What fascinates me most is how blockchain technology and digital credentials are transforming what was once a time-consuming paper chase into a near-instant verification process.

Whether you're dealing with international qualifications or local degrees, I hope these verified methods help you make informed decisions and protect your organisation from qualification fraud.

• Yaz