- HEDD is operated by Jisc and is part of Prospects.
- It covers 471 recognised UK degree-awarding institutions.
- Verification starts at £14; employer accounts are approved within one working day.
- It lists 243 bogus institutions.
The four steps
- Check the university is covered by HEDD. The service lists 471 recognised UK degree-awarding institutions.
- Create a free account. HEDD says approval takes up to one working day, so do this before you need an answer.
- Get the candidate's consent and have proof of it ready. An inquiry cannot go ahead without it.
- Submit the inquiry details and pay through the dashboard. Fees start at £14 per verification, checked 5 October 2026.
What comes back
HEDD verifies the place of study, the award, the grade and the dates of attendance. That matters because a fake can get the university right and still be wrong on any of the other three. A first-class grade that the university never awarded, or dates that do not match the course length, are exactly what the check is for. HEDD does not state a turnaround time for individual inquiries, so build slack into your start-date planning.
Who can use it, and who cannot
| Can use HEDD | Cannot use HEDD |
|---|---|
| Employers, recruitment agencies, universities, embassies, councils | Students and graduates checking their own awards |
A graduate who needs proof for a new employer should ask their university directly. Employers can then run their own HEDD check with the graduate's consent.
Two-minute checks before you spend £14
- Is the awarding body on the relevant national list? See check if a university is real.
- Is the institution one of the 243 bogus institutions HEDD tracks? If so, you need go no further.
- Does the certificate name the awarding body, not just a college that taught the course?
- Do the dates make sense for the stated course and the candidate's age and work history?
- Has the candidate given written consent for you to check?
What a mismatch means
Do not accuse anyone at the first discrepancy. Records are sometimes entered with a different name order or a maiden name. Ask the candidate to explain, and ask for a statement from their university. A candidate who cannot produce one is a different matter. If a certificate comes from a body that is not recognised at all, see diploma mill warning signs for what to look for and using a fake degree for the offences involved.
Degrees from outside the UK
HEDD covers UK institutions. For a degree from another country, the route is different: see UK ENIC. For health professionals, a degree check is only the start; the regulator's register is the check that matters, as in how to check NMC registration.
Who to contact
| Question | Contact |
|---|---|
| HEDD account or inquiry | The contact form on hedd.ac.uk |
| Is an English institution recognised? | providerverification@officeforstudents.org.uk (per GOV.UK) |
| Wales | customerhelp@gov.wales (per GOV.UK) |
| Northern Ireland | hepolicy@economy-ni.gov.uk (per GOV.UK) |
Frequently asked questions
How much does HEDD cost?
Fees start at £14 per verification, as checked on 5 October 2026. The exact price depends on the inquiry, so look at the dashboard before you submit.
Can I use HEDD to check my own degree?
No. HEDD says it is not for students or graduates to verify their own awards. Ask your university for a confirmation letter instead.
Does the candidate have to agree?
Yes. Each inquiry needs proof that the candidate consented. Get it in writing before you submit.
What does HEDD actually verify?
The place of study, the award received, the grade achieved and the dates of attendance. A fake certificate can be wrong on any one of them.
How many bogus institutions does HEDD know about?
HEDD lists 243 fraudulent institutions. It also covers 471 recognised UK degree-awarding institutions.
How long does a HEDD account take to set up?
HEDD says employer accounts are approved within one working day. It does not state how long an individual verification takes.