Highly skilled workers
Qualifications
This page explains the points we award for qualifications under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
On this page
Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245C of part 6 and Appendix A (Table 1), which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.
The points awarded for qualifications
The points awarded for qualifications are:
| Qualifications | Points |
|---|---|
| Phd | 50 |
| Master's | 35 |
| Bachelor's | 30 |
Unlike our Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) is not aseparate category under the points-based system, so you cannot rely solely on an MBA qualification to meet the requirements of the highly skilled worker category.
However, you may be able to use your MBA to score points as a master's qualification as detailed below.
Points are only awarded for one qualification.
How qualifications are assessed
Points are only awarded for a qualification which is assessed and recognised by the National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) to meet or exceed the recognised standard of a bachelor's or master's degree or a PhD in the United Kingdom.
The points-based calculator contains information from UK NARIC on the equivalency of overseas qualifications. We will always use the calculator to assess the qualifications you use.
If you cannot find your academic qualifications on the points-based calculator, you may still wish to claim points for it. If so, you should contact UK NARIC directly for an assessment of the level of the qualification and, if UK NARIC confirms it is of the required level, obtain a letter and/or confirmation certificate from UK NARIC. You can find a link to the UK NARIC website on the right of this page. It is an independant website, for which we are not responsible. It may charge a fee for confirming qualifications.
If UK NARIC cannot confirm the equivalence of your qualification, we will not award points for it. In this case, you may wish to use an alternative qualification if you have one.
How points are awarded for vocational and professional qualifications
Points are awarded for vocational and professional qualifications that are deemed by UK NARIC or the appropriate United Kingdom professional body to be the same as a PhD, master's degree or bachelor's degree.
If you cannot find your professional or vocational qualification on the points-based calculator, you may still wish to claim points for the qualification in question. In this case, you should get written confirmation from the appropriate United Kingdom professional body that the qualification is equivalent to United Kingdom academic levels.
How to claim points for HSMP extension applications
If you are currently in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and are unable to claim points for qualifications, you should see the guidance on transitional arrangements for existing highly skilled migrants before applying.
There may be a very small number of people who are currently in the United Kingdom under the highly skilled worker category or the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and whose qualification has previously been assessed to be of a higher level than shown by the points-based calculator. These people may claim the higher points score, in line with the previous assessment, provided they are using the same qualification as used in their initial application. Appendix A paragraph 7 of the immigration rules gives more details, which you can find on the right of this page.
If you are not sure what points you were previously awarded you should contact us at: wpcustomers@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
In these cases, we will refer to our records. We will only be able to award a higher points score in very limited circumstances that meet each of the following requirements:
- if you are currently in the United Kingdom under the highly skilled worker category or the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme;
- if you are relying on the same qualification for which we previously awarded points in this area;
- the earlier assessment of the qualification confirmed that it was equivalent to a higher level of qualification than is now shown by the points-based calculator; and
- there is no evidence that you used deception to obtain the earlier decision.
You must prove your qualifications by sending evidence to support your application, or your application will be refused.
Terms explained
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UK NARIC
UK National Agency (UK NARIC) is responsible for providing information and opinion on vocational, academic and professional qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide. The National Agency is managed on behalf of the United Kingdom Government and is the only official source of information on wide-ranging international qualifications and skills attained from outside the United Kingdom. They compare qualifications from overseas with the United Kingdom and provide information on qualifications and education systems outside the United Kingdom.