Foreign Credentials Evaluation for Students Applying to Study in Canada

By:Kathleen Legris

Maintaining the quality of postsecondary programs in Canada is primarily the responsibility of individual institutions, which must operate within legislative and policy frameworks established by their respective provincial or territorial governments. Given the increasing numbers of international students applying to study in Canada, mechanisms for maintaining quality are increasingly important.
In Canada each university or college sets its own admission requirements and its own criteria for recognizing academic qualifications obtained abroad. Therefore, individual Admissions Office determine the procedures required to assess international qualifications.
The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) collects, organizes, and distributes information, and acts as a national clearing house and referral service to support the recognition and portability of Canadian and international educational and occupational qualifications. The organization collects data about procedures for recognizing academic and occupational credentials in different Canadian jurisdictions. This information is stored in a regularly updated database covering more than 800 professional organizations. In partnership with the provinces and territories, they also provide current information about postsecondary education systems in Canada for a variety of users, including Canadian missions and evaluation agencies abroad. Publications include a Directory of Universities, Colleges and Schools in the Provinces and Territories of Canada, which lists Canada's recognized, authorized, registered and licensed institutions.
Students who wish to have an assessment of qualifications for information purposes can consult a credentials evaluation service. Although these services offer expert advice on how credentials obtained outside Canada compare with credentials from a Canadian province or territory, the evaluation is advisory only and does not guarantee recognition of credentials for purposes of admission to a postsecondary institution in Canada. The credential evaluation service will advise about document and translation requirements. Credentials evaluation services charge a fee for their services. Applicants should check with institutions of choice to verify whether they will accept the assessment completed by these services. Although it may assist postsecondary institutions in understanding foreign credentials, there is no guarantee they will be acceptable.

Studying in Canada: A Guide for International Students

By:Kathleen Legris

Each year, more than 130,000 international students enroll in Canadian high schools, colleges, and universities. With one of the most respected education systems in the world, new opportunities to gain work experience during and after studies, and permanent immigration options for international students who have graduated from post-secondary programs in Canada, the numbers are expected to rise over the next decade.

Secondary Schools: There are numerous public, private, and independent high schools in Canada that offer specific programs for international students. Students can choose to study intensive English, an integrated English and academic program, or with strong English language skills, an academic program that leads to a Canadian high school diploma.

Colleges and Universities: In the Canadian education system, which varies from province to province, colleges are geared towards individuals seeking applied careers, such as a chef or hotel management, while universities prepare individuals for more academic careers, or for entrance into graduate school or a professional program such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or law. The government subsidizes almost all Canadian post-secondary institutions, so entrance to some professional programs is limited to Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents.

Admission to any Canadian university or college requires completion of a high school diploma, such as the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or the foreign equivalent. Generally, students wishing to enter a Canadian university or college should have completed the course of studies that would make them eligible to enter university or college in their home country. Students whose first language is not English will also have to present results of an English Language Proficiency exam. Acceptable tests and scores will vary from institution to institution, so students should refer to individual colleges or universities for specific language requirements.

Master or Doctoral: As with other parts of the world, post-graduate schools in Canada are restricted to universities. Entrance to post-graduate programs will vary from university to university, and from department to department within each university. Masters and doctoral candidates should refer to the Graduate Studies Office of universities of interest for specific information.

There are numerous resources for international students thinking about studying in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the agency responsible for issuing Study Permits and Work Permits, has a comprehensive website for international students. Organizations such as the CEC Network offer information and resources for students including costs, admission and Visa requirements, and cultural adjustment. Additionally, many schools, governments, and educational agents promote Study in Canada throughout the world through local visits, educational fairs, and internet campaigns.

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