Is Online Degree Valid Abroad From Indian Universities?

Is Online Degree Valid Abroad From Indian Universities?

#MBA
Arushi PanditaUpdated on 23 Sep 2025, 05:03 PM IST

As reported by Poets & Quants, the number of online MBA programmes increased from 555 to 732 by 2023, reflecting a significant rise in enrolments and highlighting the increasing popularity of these programmes. However, a common concern is whether online degree courses from Indian universities are valid abroad, especially for those pursuing further studies or jobs overseas.

Is Online Degree Valid Abroad From Indian Universities?
Is Online Degree Valid Abroad From Indian Universities

Online degrees from top Indian universities are accredited by UGC and AICTE. This accreditation from the government body ensures that the programme fulfils specific educational standards, making an online degree worth pursuing and valid in the job market.

However, it is imporant that an online degree fulfills the requirements of international education standards as well, otherwise, the validity of online degrees will not be acceptable in the global job and educational scenarios. Even, if pursuing an online degree from international universities, students must verify the accreditation status and reputation of the university before enrolling.

Factors to Consider When Pursuing Online Degree Courses

Choosing to pursue an online degree course is a significant decision that requires careful consideration of several key factors. The points below highlight important things to consider when choosing to pursue an online degree that is accepted by foreign universities and employers:

Accreditation/Recognition: Students should check the university recognition and whether it is approved by government bodies such as UGC and AICTE. An online degree from an accredited university ensures that it meets the educational standard.

Reputation of the Institution: Pursuing a degree from a reputed university increases the value. Most of the top universities provide recognised online degrees.

Relevance to Global Industry Needs: Choose online programmes based on trends in the global market. Such types of trending courses can be more valued at the international level. Some of the popular trending courses are data science, IT, AI, and business management.

Curriculum Design: A well-designed and comprehensive curriculum includes practical learning, research, and in-demand specialisations. This makes an online degree more acceptable in universities and employers globally.

International Collaboration: Many Indian universities have their collaboration with foreign universities to provide joint and dual degrees. Such collaborations make an online degree valid at the international level.

Course Duration: Employers and universities recognise and take into consideration online courses that have a similar course duration to their traditional programmes. Online degree programmes have similar course durations as their regular degree counterparts, depending on the programme level and the offering institution.

Work Experience and Internships: Candidates who have completed an internship or have a few years of work experience are given preference. An online course's credibility is increased by work experience.

Country-Specific Rules: Every nation has its own rules and regulations regarding the validation of foreign degrees. Candidates should thoroughly research the country’s university they want to apply for and their recognition criteria.

Also Read: Online Degrees vs Short-Term Online Courses: What Should You Choose?

Are Online Degrees from Indian Universities Recognised Internationally?

Several top universities in India offer UGC-approved online degrees. These degree programmes are recognised in nations such as the USA, Canada, and Australia. However, the recognition process is heavily influenced by country-specific guidelines and their degree evaluation processes.

Online course recognition depends on various factors, including course curriculum, accreditation, faculty qualifications, and institute reputation. UGC-recognised universities are highly regarded for their skill-based courses, internships, and globally aligned curricula. Additionally, employers prefer degrees earned from accredited universities.

The recognition of online degrees from Indian universities abroad also varies by industry. Fields such as technology, business, and healthcare may have broader international acceptance. However, some industries or countries have stricter requirements. Students must research industry-specific and country-specific guidelines to ensure their degree meets international standards for better recognition.

While online degrees from top Indian universities are gaining global acceptance, their recognition depends on accreditation, curriculum quality, and relevance. To maximise career opportunities abroad, students should choose accredited programmes aligned with international standards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is an online degree valid abroad?
A:

Yes, an online degree from an Indian university is recognised and valid abroad. The course recognition includes accreditation, course curriculum, faculty, the country’s local policies, and its relevance.

Q: Can I pursue higher education abroad with an online degree from an Indian university?
A:

Yes, anyone can go for higher education abroad. An accredited online degree is accepted by several top foreign universities.

Q: Is an online MBA valid abroad?
A:

Yes, a UGC-approved online MBA is recognised by many global universities and employers.

Q: Is an online degree valid for abroad jobs?
A:

An online degree is valid and recognised by employers abroad. Candidates must explore the opportunities that come with it.

Q: Is an online degree valid in the USA?
A:

Yes, an online degree from an accredited university is valid in the USA.

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Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello

With an NMAT score of 205, you have decent chances in good mid-tier MBA colleges.
You may get calls from NMIMS Hyderabad or Indore, but the Mumbai core is usually slightly higher.
Colleges like SDA Bocconi Asia Centre, BML Munjal, and IBS Hyderabad are realistic options.
Some reputed private B-schools may also consider you if sectional cutoffs are clear. Overall, 205 is a fair score that can lead to a solid MBA college with good planning.

You can refer to the link I am attaching for more details: CLICK HERE

CAT does not restrict eligibility based on stream. Candidates from commerce, arts, science, engineering or any other background can appear for CAT and apply to MBA programmes offered by IIMs and other top B-schools.

The basic eligibility criteria for CAT are:
You must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for SC, ST and PwD categories). Final-year graduation students are also eligible to apply.

Being a commerce graduate can actually be an advantage in areas such as accounting, finance, economics and business studies, especially during MBA coursework in finance, marketing and operations.

After qualifying CAT, admission depends on multiple factors including CAT percentile, academic background, work experience (if any), performance in GD, WAT and personal interview rounds. Many IIMs and B-schools follow a diverse academic background policy, which means non-engineering candidates, including commerce graduates, often receive additional weightage.

Apart from IIMs, several reputed institutes such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, and many state and private universities also accept CAT scores for MBA admissions.

So, as a commerce graduate, you are fully eligible to appear for CAT and pursue an MBA, provided you meet the minimum academic requirements and perform well in the selection process.

If you want, I can also help you with realistic CAT percentile targets based on your academic profile or suggest suitable MBA colleges.


Hello aspirant,

First-year MBA fees in India vary greatly, ranging from less than rupees one lakh for government/distance programs to rupees ten to twenty-five lakhs or more for elite private B-schools (such as ISB, IIMs, and XLRI). The majority of elite private institutions charge between rupees eight and twenty-five lakh for the entire two-year program, indicating that first-year expenses are substantial.

For more information, you can visit our site through following link:

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/mba-fee-know-how-much-your-mba-will-cost-in-top-b-schools

Thank you

Hello,

Transferring mid-stream from an online MBA to an offline MBA is generally very difficult and rare, requiring a fresh application and usually withdrawal from your current program. You can apply for a new offline MBA after completing your online MBA or even while pursuing it (with caution), provided your current university is recognized.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello

You have scored 234 (QA: 78, VA: 84, LR: 72), you have a higher chance of getting a call from the NMIMS Mumbai MBA Core call, as it is the nearest score to the 235 cutoff. You have a good score in the verbal subject and have a decent score in QA/LR, which makes a call quite possible. It also depends on the final year's cutoffs and the specific section requirements. Around 230-250 marks are considered a good score. I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.