# Degree Verification
**Source**: https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree/degreeverification.htm
**Parent**: https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree/apply.htm
Ghent University partners with Qualification Check, a global verification service, to authenticate academic degrees and documents. \
Applicants must use the following link to ensure that Ghent University receives your verification results: [https://ghent.qualificationcheck.com](https://ghent.qualificationcheck.com "QualificationCheck")\
**Complete** online applications — including a verified academic degree — must reach the Registrar's Office **before the deadline**. If any required documents are missing after the deadline, your file will not be considered.**\**
### What Does This Mean for You?
Instead of submitting legalised copies of your diploma and transcripts, you will be asked to complete a Qualification Check verification as part of your application. This process ensures the authenticity of your academic credentials directly with the issuing institution or relevant authority.
### Why the Change?
- Faster processing: No need to visit embassies or obtain apostilles.
- More secure: Direct verification reduces the risk of fraud.
- Globally recognised: Qualification Check is trusted by universities and employers worldwide.
### What Will Be Verified?
- Your basic diploma (the degree on which your application is based)
- The transcript of records or diploma supplement
- In some cases, additional academic documents may be requested
## Degree Verification: What You Need to Do
1. Start your application via the UGent online application platform.
2. When prompted, follow the instructions to initiate your Qualification Check.
3. Pay the verification fee directly to Qualification Check (€59, details will be provided during the process).
4. Ensure that your documents are available in English, Dutch, French or German. If not, a sworn translation will still be required.
### Transition Period
Applicants who started their application before 1 October 2025 may still follow the traditional legalisation procedure as outlined below. However, we strongly encourage all applicants to use the new Qualification Check process for faster and more secure verification.
If you are unsure which procedure applies to you, please contact the Team International Admissions at [admission@ugent.be](mailto:admission@ugent.be).
### Exceptions
- Applicants with refugee status, subsidiary protection, or asylum seekers may still follow an alternative procedure. Please consult the admissions office for guidance.
- If your documents cannot be verified through Qualification Check, you may be asked to provide additional evidence or follow a traditional legalisation route.
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
**What is Qualification Check?**
Qualification Check is a secure, international service that verifies academic qualifications directly with the issuing institutions or relevant authorities.
**Do I still need to legalise my documents?**
No, if you are applying under the new system. Legalisation is only required for applications started before 1 October 2025.
**How much does Qualification Check cost?**
The verification fee of €59 is to be paid to Qualification Check directly, details will be provided during the process
**What if my institution does not respond to Qualification Check?**
In such cases, UGent may request additional documentation or revert to a traditional legalisation process.
**Can I use previously legalised documents instead?**
Yes, if your application was started before 1 October 2025. Otherwise, Qualification Check is the standard method.
**What if my documents are not in English, Dutch, French or German?**
You must provide a sworn translation in one of these languages.
**Who can I contact for help?**
Please reach out to the Team International Admissions at [admission@ugent.be](mailto:admission@ugent.be).
## Legalisation: being phased out
### What is legalisation?
- Before a public document (like a diploma) can be used in a country other than the one where it was issued, the origin of the document must be authenticated.
- A document can only be legalised in the country where it was issued.
- Authentication of your basic diploma is required by the Flemish government as part of your application for a study programme at Ghent University. The Belgian embassies issue e-legalisations (QR-code)
[Please click here for more information](https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/legalisation-documents).
### Which documents?
- For a valid application you need to submit a legalised copy of the basic diploma and its transcripts or diploma supplement.
- The diploma and its transcripts must also be **translated** by a **sworn translator** into either Dutch, French, German or English, if they were drafted up in any other language.
- We require the legalisation page, containing the QR-code.
### Which legalisation applies to my documents?
> [List of countries per legalisation method](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree/listcountries.pdf): To check which legalisation applies to your documents
### Belgian Embassy
A standard fee of 20€ is charged per legalisation. [Website Foreign Affairs: legalisation](http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/legalisation_of_documents)
### Apostille
Your country has signed the ["Hague Treaty"](http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=conventions.text&cid=41) (The convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation of foreign public documents, 1961). You will be required to submit an official copy with original Apostille seal.
### Certified Copy
The country where the diploma was issued has an agreement with Belgium concerning the exemption from legalisation (see p.3 of the [list](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree/listcountries.pdf "List of Countries per Legalisation Method")). You will be required to submit a [certified true copy](https://www.ugent.be/student/en/administration/diploma/truecopy.htm).
**Refugees**
This information is **only applicable** to applicants with a refugee status or subsidiary protected person or asylum seekers and **does not apply to other persons residing in Belgium with a different status.**\
We request asylum seekers, refugees or subsidiary protected persons to submit a sworn translation of the required documents: **beëdigde vertaling gelegaliseerd door de [dienst Nationaal Register](https://justsearch.just.fgov.be/national-registry-search/translator?lang=en)**.
**Syria**
Information about the correct legalisation procedure on <http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/legalisation_of_documents/>
1. Legalization of the original document by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Syria
2. Legalization by the Syrian Embassy in Beirut
3. Legalization by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry in Beirut
4. Legalization by the Embassy of Belgium in Beirut (with translation by a sworn translator in one of the national languages).
**Iraq**
1. Legalization of the original document by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Iraq
2. Legalization by the Iraq Embassy in Amman
3. Legalization by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry in Amman
4. Legalization by the Embassy of Belgium in Amman (with translation by a sworn translator in one of the national languages).
**Yemen**
update 11 April 2017: The Belgian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has suspended the legalisation of documents issued in Yemen. Therefore the institution where you have obtained your basic diploma must send us a copy of your diploma and transcripts by e-mail ([admission@ugent.be](mailto:admission@ugent.be)). Your full name and file number must be mentioned in the subject line.
**Cameroon,** Nigeria
Unfortunately, we receive false documents on a regular basis from these countries. We see ourselves forced to impose stricter conditions. In addition to the legalisation by the Belgian Embassy or Consulate, the institution where you have obtained your basic diploma must send us a copy of your diploma and transcripts by e-mail ([admission@ugent.be](mailto:admission@ugent.be)). Your full name and file number must be mentioned in the subject line.
**Ghana**
The legalisation is done at the [Belgian Embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast](https://cotedivoire.diplomatie.belgium.be).
Unfortunately, we receive false documents on a regular basis from Ghana. We see ourselves forced to impose stricter conditions. In addition to the legalisation by the Belgian Embassy or Consulate, the institution where you have obtained your basic diploma must send us a copy of your diploma and transcripts by e-mail ([admission@ugent.be](mailto:admission@ugent.be)). Your full name and file number must be mentioned in the subject line.
**China**
> From 7 November 2023, documents issued in Mainland China should have an Apostille attached. [Click here for contact information.](https://www.hcch.net/en/states/authorities/details3/?aid=1193)
**Directly** from the awarding institution
The University can also send a digital version of the diploma (graduation certificate) and transcripts by e-mail to [admission@ugent.be](mailto:admission@ugent.be) directly. Your **full name** and **file number** must be mentioned in the subject line. \
This must be received before the [deadline](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree/deadlines.htm).
## Contact
[admission@UGent.be](mailto:admission@UGent.be)
## Related content
- [List of Countries per Legalisation Method](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree/listcountries.pdf)
- [Deadlines](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree/deadlines.htm)
- [How to submit an application for admission?](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree/apply.htm)
- [Admission requirements degree students](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement)