Education authority guidance
How to check MQA accreditation for a Malaysian programme
Search the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) for full accreditation. If the programme is missing there, check the provisional accreditation register and confirm the exact provider and campus.
Choose the right check
Each official register answers a different question. Confirm what the programme listing says before relying on the result for a decision.
| Your question | Official register | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full accreditation for a programme offered in Malaysia | MQR (mqa.gov.my) | Search by qualification or programme name, institution or MQA reference number. Check the programme name, provider, listed location or campus and any stated dates or limitations against the intended delivery. MQA states that listed Malaysian programmes do not include offshore delivery unless stated, and that a Malaysian dual-award entry does not cover the foreign partner's award. |
| Provisional accreditation or no MQR match | PASP (mqa.gov.my) | Search by programme and institution. Provisional accreditation is a time-limited candidacy assessment. If MQR returns no match, check the name and campus with the institution or MQA. MQA lists several possible reasons for a missing entry, including older programmes. |
| Older Malaysian public-service recognition | eSisraf (mqa.gov.my) | MQA directs people checking government recognition for public-service appointments before 1 January 2017 to eSisraf. From that date, check MQR's Equivalency for Public Services listing where available. MQA publishes official context on the recognition transition. |
| Verify whether a person holds a degree, or prepare a certificate for use abroad | Issuing university and receiving organisation | Contact the issuing university for personal award verification and check the receiving organisation's required attestation separately. Programme accreditation, award verification and document attestation are distinct processes. ThinkPlus's existing service is document attestation support. |
Sources: MQA: Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) · MQA: provisional accreditation search (PASP) · MQA: eSisraf qualification search · MQA: recognition transition (Equivalency for Public Services)
Reading an MQR result: what to verify
An MQR listing records accreditation for the programme and location shown. Ask the issuing university to verify that a particular person earned the award.
- Provider name as listed in MQR
- Qualification or programme title
- Campus or delivery location where stated
- MQA reference number and any dates shown
- Save or screenshot the official record if the receiving authority requests it
Why the programme name and campus matter
A programme with the same name may appear under different providers or campuses, and each listing has its own accreditation record. A programme accredited at one campus is not assumed to be accredited at another unless the MQR listing covers it.
For example, two institutions may each offer a Bachelor of Business Administration, but the MQR entry for each names a different provider and may list different campuses, dates or conditions. Check the specific listing that matches the programme delivery you are asking about.
After the accreditation check
If you are preparing a degree certificate for overseas use, the attestation route depends on the document, the issuing institution and the receiving authority's requirements. Programme accreditation, personal award verification and document attestation are separate processes.
| What you need next | Existing guide |
|---|---|
| Degree or transcript attestation for overseas use | Degree preparation |
| Verify a person's degree or request an official transcript | Academic records guide |
| Document legalisation route | Legalisation guide |
Questions
A programme does not appear in MQR. Does that mean it is not accredited?
Not necessarily. MQA lists several reasons a programme may not appear in MQR, including some older records. Check PASP for provisional status and verify the programme name and campus with the institution or MQA before drawing a conclusion.
Does MQA accreditation mean a degree is accepted abroad?
MQA accreditation records whether a programme offered in Malaysia meets the quality standards set by MQA. Whether a foreign authority accepts the resulting qualification depends on that authority's own requirements. Programme accreditation and overseas qualification recognition are separate checks.
Can ThinkPlus check MQA accreditation for me?
MQA accreditation checks are made directly through the official registers. ThinkPlus's existing service is document attestation: preparing and submitting degree certificates and transcripts for overseas use. Tell us the document and destination.
Related
Supporting documents
Preparing a degree for overseas use
If you need to prepare a degree certificate or transcript for use abroad, tell ThinkPlus the document type, issuing institution, destination and requesting authority.