Wanting To Find Out If Someone Has Passed Valid Degree

[Nigel]

I have a fanily member who is usually colourful with truth who claims that they have recently passed BA Hons Degree in History!
They wish for help going on to do MA at LSE!

Is there any way of clarifying that they have passed without paying out a fee to OU to substantiate this?

 

[Raheem]

I expect probably not. But if you're minded to help them, they won't actually need any money until they are enrolled at the LSE, so you could just look to be sure that that has actually happened.

 

[Pickman's model]

I have a fanily member who is usually colourful with truth who claims that they have recently passed BA Hons Degree in History!
They wish for help going on to do MA at LSE!

Is there any way of clarifying that they have passed without paying out a fee to OU to substantiate this?

You could ask to see their transcript which would show their marks for each course they took. Or search their name and inurl:[their uni].ac.uk, eg "Fred bloggs" inurl:lse.ac.uk. there's no easy way if they weren't active in student societies or don't want to show you their degree certificate.

 

[Epona]

You could also offer to make a contribution towards fees direct to LSE, rather than give money to them.
This is generally what I prefer to happen if a family member is helping me out - payment direct to the council against my service charges account when I had help with a major works bill a few years back, payment direct to the vet when someone helped me with a cat dental bill once. It lets them know that the money is going towards what they have offered it for and also avoids tax or benefits complications wrt gifting money if the sum is large.

It is wonderful to have family who are able and willing to help out occasionally when needed, but make sure it's all done safely and with a paper trail and going straight to where it is needed for maximum preservation of ongoing relationships.

 

[Riklet]

Ask them if you can see their module grades cos youre interested?

 

[equationgirl]

It's unlikely the Open University would give you any information as it would be a breach of the Data Protection Act.

Pickman's model's suggestion regarding the transcript is a good one as is Epona's of paying LSE direct.

Are you offering them a loan? If so put the arrangement in writing.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I have a fanily member who is usually colourful with truth who claims that they have recently passed BA Hons Degree in History!
They wish for help going on to do MA at LSE!

Is there any way of clarifying that they have passed without paying out a fee to OU to substantiate this?

Tell them you think they're lying and demand to see the proof.

Maybe not the most harmonious approach, but avoids faffing about behind their back.

 

[Nigel]

Tell them you think they're lying and demand to see the proof.

Maybe not the most harmonious approach, but avoids faffing about behind their back.

Unfortunately they are quite capable and have in the past managed to get these 'online'!
Just because someone has a certificate doesn't mean they have passed

 

[Nigel]

Ask them if you can see their module grades cos youre interested?

Good idea!

 

[Nigel]

You could ask to see their transcript which would show their marks for each course they took. Or search their name and inurl:[their uni].ac.uk, eg "Fred bloggs" inurl:lse.ac.uk. there's no easy way if they weren't active in student societies or don't want to show you their degree certificate.

Thanks Pickman
Good advice!

 

[Nigel]

You could also offer to make a contribution towards fees direct to LSE, rather than give money to them.
This is generally what I prefer to happen if a family member is helping me out - payment direct to the council against my service charges account when I had help with a major works bill a few years back, payment direct to the vet when someone helped me with a cat dental bill once. It lets them know that the money is going towards what they have offered it for and also avoids tax or benefits complications wrt gifting money if the sum is large.

It is wonderful to have family who are able and willing to help out occasionally when needed, but make sure it's all done safely and with a paper trail and going straight to where it is needed for maximum preservation of ongoing relationships.

Good advice!
Keeping 'paper trail' is good idea!

 

[scifisam]

There's a website called Hedd that you can use to check if someone's degree is valid. But you need consent from the person concerned, so you might as well just ask them.

 

[Nigel]

There's a website called Hedd that you can use to check if someone's degree is valid. But you need consent from the person concerned, so you might as well just ask them.

Thanks
Have you got a link?

 

[existentialist]

As I recall, an offence of fraud has been committed if someone misrepresents themselves as having a degree they are not entitled to.

 

[scifisam]

Thanks
Have you got a link?

Homepage | Higher Education Degree Datacheck

hedd.ac.uk

But like I said you need their permission. It's not free but it's not expensive.

 

[rubbershoes]

Universities used to publish lists of degrees awarded.

This link suggests they're still public information but you may have to make a FoI request

 

[Nigel]

As I recall, an offence of fraud has been committed if someone misrepresents themselves as having a degree they are not entitled to.

That's what I'm worried about!

 

[Nigel]

Universities used to publish lists of degrees awarded.

This link suggests they're still public information but you may have to make a FoI request

Thanks

 

[Nigel]

Homepage | Higher Education Degree Datacheck

hedd.ac.uk

But like I said you need their permission. It's not free but it's not expensive.

Nice one!
I'll give it a go!

 

[keybored]

Why would you want to lend money to someone you don't trust? Just say "Sorry, but no".

 

[Ted Striker]

(I don't think this is a factor in this situation, but just noting that you don't necessarily require an undergraduate degree to do a Masters, particularly as a mature student - career experience can substitute.)

 

[Ted Striker]

I have a fanily member who is usually colourful with truth who claims that they have recently passed BA Hons Degree in History!
They wish for help going on to do MA at LSE!

Is there any way of clarifying that they have passed without paying out a fee to OU to substantiate this?

If it was a Covid era completion, they probably did their graduation virtually over zoom - this could be available online somewhere?

 

[rubbershoes]

If it was a Covid era completion, they probably did their graduation virtually over zoom - this could be available online somewhere?

True. But not everyone attends their graduation.

It's easier to prove a positive than a negative

 

[Epona]

If it was a Covid era completion, they probably did their graduation virtually over zoom - this could be available online somewhere?

Attending a graduation ceremony is not a condition of getting a degree.

 

[Epona]

True. But not everyone attends their graduation.

It's easier to prove a positive than a negative

Snap

 

[equationgirl]

Universities used to publish lists of degrees awarded.

This link suggests they're still public information but you may have to make a FoI request

Some still publish in various newspapers, for example Scottish Universities tend to use the Scotsman or the Herald, Aberdeen/Dundee may use the Press and Journal pogofish will know.

I don't know about English universities.

 

[Sasaferrato]

As I recall, an offence of fraud has been committed if someone misrepresents themselves as having a degree they are not entitled to.

I would think that would only be the case if they were trying to obtain pecuniary advantage, such as employment.

 

[Pickman's model]

I would think that would only be the case if they were trying to obtain pecuniary advantage, such as employment.

or perhaps if they claim medical knowledge they don't possess and thus injure or kill someone

 

[existentialist]

I would think that would only be the case if they were trying to obtain pecuniary advantage, such as employment.

I think that's generally the most likely situation where it might arise, but in principle, any use of a claimed degree to gain some advantage or benefit seems to be covered. Degrees seem to come under a different category to, say, an HND in needlework

 

[Mation]

Nigel - is it that you're willing and able to help them pay to continue in education if you're sure you know where the money is going? (Assuming 'help' means paying some or all of the costs.) If so, can you not just ask for bank details or a link to the LSE website's payment page for the course, as others have similarly suggested?

Or is there more to it, and you primarily want to investigate their honesty?

Something else?