Are there significant differences in recognition of degrees from public vs private universities in the UK or globally?
Almost all major universities are “public” in the sense that they are funded partly by the government and are regulated by the Office for Students (OfS).
A UK “private” university must be officially recognized by the UK government to award degrees. If it’s recognized, the degree holds the same legal status as one from a public university.
Recognition of the universities is associated with the OfS Register and having degree-awarding powers, not the funding model.
Employers and immigration authorities care about whether the university is recognised and reputable, not whether it’s public or private.
A degree from a well-ranked UK private institution (e.g., University of Buckingham) can be as valid as one from a public university like UCL — but employers may simply be more familiar with the big public names.
