Accreditation &
Legal Status
We operate with total transparency. Review our regulatory standing, licensing details, and institutional accreditation below.
Institutional Licence
Issued by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA)
Higher Education Institution (HEI)
IHRI is formally licensed as a Higher Education Institution. This license authorizes us to design, deliver, and award accredited qualifications up to Level 8 (Doctoral Degree) of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
Our programmes are fully accredited qualifications, recognized across the EU and Commonwealth.
Regulating Authority
Malta Further & Higher
Education Authority
Verification & Documentation
MFHEA Official Registry
Verify our current standing directly via the national qualifications database.
View Validation RecordDownload Licence
A digital copy of our operating licence (No. 2025-004) for internal compliance reviews.
Download PDFGlobal Qualification Portability
Our distinct status as an EU-licensed institution within the Commonwealth ensures that IHRI qualifications carry weight beyond Europe. We support graduates in obtaining credential evaluations for the USA, Canada, and Australia.
USA & Canada
WES / ECE RecognizedBecause IHRI is a state-licensed Higher Education Institution in an EU member state, our degrees are recognized by major credential evaluation services (such as WES and ECE) as equivalent to Regionally Accredited US/Canadian degrees.
- Accepted for H1-B Visa education criteria
- Recognized for academic tenure tracks
UK & Commonwealth
Direct MappingAs a Commonwealth country, Malta's education system shares its roots with the UK. Furthermore, the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) is referenced to the EQF, allowing for direct comparison with the UK RQF.
MQF Level 8 = UK Level 8 (Doctorate)
Australia & NZ
AQF / NZQF AlignmentAustralian and New Zealand immigration and professional bodies routinely assess MQF/EQF degrees as comparable to domestic qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
- Supports Skilled Migration points
- Recognized by professional societies
The Lisbon Recognition Convention
Malta is a signatory to the UNESCO/Council of Europe Lisbon Recognition Convention. This is the primary international legal framework regulating the recognition of higher education qualifications across 55 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and all of Europe.
Read the ConventionIHRI adheres strictly to the Further and Higher Education (Licensing, Accreditation and Quality Assurance) Regulations. For specific queries regarding quality assurance audits or ECTS equivalence, please contact our Registrar's office.