What is Foreign Credential Evaluation?

Created: Apr 17, 2024 | Updated: Apr 22, 2024

If you’ve ever wondered how your educational qualifications from one country stack up against those in your, this is the post for you. Today, we'll explain what foreign credential evaluation is, why it’s necessary, and how it works. We'll also guide you through the different types of evaluations available and offer tips on selecting the right service for your needs.

What is Foreign Credential Evaluation?

Foreign credential evaluation is the process of verifying and converting educational qualifications from one country to the standards applicable in another country, typically for study, employment, or professional licensing. This evaluation helps universities, employers, and licensing boards understand the education level, course work, and grades achieved in foreign educational systems in terms that are comparable to their own.

The evaluation involves a detailed review of your credentials such as diplomas, transcripts, or professional licenses by qualified evaluators or specialised organisations. They assess the authenticity of the documents and compare the foreign education against another country’s system, depending on where evaluation is sought. The result is a report that outlines the equivalent of the foreign education, which can then be used to apply for jobs, gain admission to educational institutions, or meet certification requirements in the new country.

This process ensures fairness and equitability in recognising international educational achievements and helps individuals transition smoothly into new environments for work or study.

How are Foreign Credentials Evaluated?

1. Course-by-Course Evaluations: This detailed evaluation is generally used for academic purposes, like college admissions, transferring academic credits, and sometimes for professional licensure. It provides universities and professional licensing boards with a detailed account of your academic record. It also helps institutions determine if you have met prerequisite courses and can handle the curriculum. A course-by-course Evaluation includes:

A detailed analysis of each educational credential you have received from an institution outside the host country.
A list of all the courses you have taken, grades received, and credits or hours you have completed.
An equivalence for each course regarding the educational system in the host country.
The overall grade point average (GPA) according to the host country’s grading scale.

2. Document-by-Document Evaluations: This evaluation is generally used for immigration purposes, general employment, and college admission where a detailed course-by-course analysis is not required. It provides a quick overview of educational qualifications for employers or immigration officials. It is less detailed and less expensive than a course-by-course evaluation. A document-by-document evaluation includes:

Verification of each document’s authenticity.
A general comparison stating the equivalent degree, diploma, or certificate in the host country’s education system.
Sometimes includes the length of education leading up to the degree and a final qualification equivalence.

3. Work Experience Evaluations: This evaluation is useful if you do not have formal education credentials but have significant professional experience. It is valuable for immigration and some types of professional licensure. If you have a non-traditional educational background, it allows you to demonstrate your qualifications in terms that institutions and employers recognise. Skilled tradespeople and professionals in industries where formal education may be supplemented or replaced by on-the-job training find this evaluation useful. A work experience evaluation includes:

Assessment of work experience to determine if it equates to a degree or educational credential in the host country.
Documentation from employers verifying job duties, years of service, and the nature of the work completed.
Analysis by qualified evaluators who compare the work experience to academic curricula and determine equivalency.

Credential Evaluation Services Around the World

Foreign credential evaluation services exist in many countries around the world and these are a few examples:

USA: World Education Services (WES) is one of the largest non-profit credential evaluation providers in North America. It is highly regarded for its reliability and is commonly recommended by universities, professional licensing boards, and employers for its thorough assessment of foreign educational credentials. IERF (International Education Research Foundation) is another highly reputable and recognised credential evaluation service within the United States. It's popular for delivering detailed course-by-course evaluations, especially in professional licensing scenarios where it is important to pay attention to detail.
Canada: Similar to the U.S., Canada has several organisations that provide credential evaluation services to help immigrants, international students, and professionals validate their foreign education. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) helps you find the right services to compare your qualifications against Canadian standards.
The United Kingdom: The UK National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) offers you services if you need to compare your international qualifications with UK standards.
Australia: The Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) is an Australian government organisation that helps you compare your overseas qualifications with Australian qualifications to work or study in Australia.
Germany: The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is the central authority for the evaluation of foreign qualifications in Germany. It offers assessments to provide equivalence with German qualifications for further education or employment.
Spain: Spain National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC España) is part of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. It provides information and advice on the recognition of international academic qualifications in Spain, assisting with both academic and professional integration.
Italy: CIMEA (Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence) operates within the framework of the NARIC networks and is the Italian centre dedicated to the academic recognition of foreign qualifications.
Japan: Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers services related to the evaluation of foreign educational credentials for individuals seeking to study at Japanese higher education institutions or seeking work in Japan.
Brazil: The National Institute of Educational Studies and Research (INEP) is responsible for recognizing foreign higher education degrees and diplomas in Brazil. This recognition is essential for those intending to continue academic studies or professional practice in Brazil.
South Africa: South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluates non-South African qualifications to establish equivalence within the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This is crucial for both educational and immigration purposes.
India: The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is the main body that provides credential evaluation services in India. It equates foreign qualifications with Indian degrees to help individuals pursue further education or employment in India.
Sweden: The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) evaluates foreign academic qualifications and advises on their equivalence to Swedish standards, aiding those looking to study or work in Sweden.

What is a foreign credential evaluation?

How to Choose Professional Credential Evaluation Services

Consider these factors when selecting a credential evaluation service:

Accreditation: Credential Evaluation Services are accredited by certain bodies. You want to check if the service you are opting for is accredited by a recognised body such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) in the United States. Accreditation helps guarantee that the service meets certain quality standards and is widely accepted by educational institutions, employers, and government agencies.
Recognition: Check if the evaluation service is recognised and accepted by the educational institutions, professional licensing boards, or employers where you intend to submit the evaluation. Some institutions may have specific requirements or prefer evaluations from certain services.
Specialisation: Some credential services specialise in certain regions, countries, or types of evaluations (like academic, employment, or professional licensing). Choose a service that has expertise relevant to your specific needs and familiarity with the educational standards and qualifications of the country where you obtained your credentials.
Turnaround Time: Consider the processing time, especially if you have deadlines for college applications, job applications, or visa processing. Choose one that can meet your timeline without compromising the quality of the evaluation.
Cost: Evaluation fees depend on the evaluation's complexity and the service's reputation. Cost should not be the sole deciding factor but it’s important to compare prices and be aware of any additional fees for expedited services or extra copies of the evaluation report.
Reviews and Testimonials: Look for reviews and testimonials from previous users to gauge the reliability and quality of the service. Online forums, social media sites, and the service's website can be good sources of feedback.
Privacy and Security: Ensure the service has proper security measures to protect your personal and educational information. Check their privacy policy to understand how your data will be used and protected.

The Foreign Credential Evaluation Process

Step 1 - Choose the Right Evaluation Service: Before starting the process, select an appropriate credential evaluation service based on the criteria we outlined earlier. Also decide whether a course-by-course, document-by-document, or work experience evaluation is needed based on your goals (education, employment, professional licensing, or immigration).

Step 2 - Gather The Required Documents: Get the official transcripts, diplomas, certificates, or professional qualifications from the educational institutions you attended. These need to be issued directly by the educational institutions or be certified copies.

Step 3 - Translate The Documents: You also have to ensure all documents are translated into the official language of the country where you need to use them. Translations must be accurate and should completed by a certified translation service. Translayte is your best bet for getting locally relevant professional translation services like English translations, French translations, German translations and many more. Our professional translators ensure that your documents are not just translated, but are in line with international standards. Give it a try and request a free quote in a few easy steps.

Step 4: Submit Application and Documents: Fill out the evaluation service’s application form, providing detailed information about your educational background and the purpose of the evaluation. Afterwards, send the required documents according to the service’s submission guidelines, which may include electronic uploads, mailing in physical documents, or both.

Step 4 - Wait For Your Evaluation: The evaluation may take some time, so apply in time. They will review your documents to verify their authenticity the qualified evaluators will compare them with the standards of the host country’s education system. The evaluators will then determine the equivalency of your education to degrees, diplomas, or certificates in the host country. Once the evaluation is complete, the service will compile a detailed report that outlines the equivalency findings, the credentials assessed, and the rationale for the determination. The report will then be sent to you and, if requested, directly to your institutions or employers.

Myths and Misconceptions About Foreign Credential Evaluation

Myth 1: Credential evaluation guarantees acceptance.

Reality: Credential evaluation is intended to provide an objective assessment of your academic or professional qualifications in terms that are understandable and comparable to the host country's standards. While it’s a needed component of applications, it does not guarantee acceptance. Admissions and hiring decisions also depend on other factors such as experience, specific qualifications, and individual institution or employer criteria.

Myth 2: All credential evaluation services are the same.

Reality: Not all credential evaluation services offer the same level of detail, speed, or recognition. Some are specialised in certain fields or regions, and not all are accepted by every institution or employer. It’s important to choose a service that is recognised by the specific institutions or organisations to which you are applying, and that suits the specific type of evaluation you need.

Myth 3: A credential evaluation will significantly alter your GPA.

Reality: Credential evaluators aim to provide an accurate equivalence of your grades and qualifications. While they assess the rigour and grading standards of the educational institutions attended, the goal is to equate, not to alter or improve your GPA. The reported GPA is an equivalent measure to help institutions understand your academic performance in their terms.

Myth 4: The process is quick and can be expedited easily.

Reality: Credential evaluation can be a detailed and time-consuming process, especially if it involves verifying documents directly from institutions abroad or requires a course-by-course evaluation. While some services offer expedited options, these are usually at a higher cost, and not all documents or cases can be rushed if they involve complex verification needs.

Myth 5: Once evaluated, credentials are valid forever.

Reality: Evaluations are not valid forever. The validity of a credential evaluation might be subject to specific time constraints set by institutions or professional bodies. Some may need a recent evaluation, especially if you have taken further education since your last evaluation, or if immigration laws and policies have changed.

Myth 7: Credential evaluations translate your documents.

Reality: Credential evaluation services do not provide certified translations of documents. If your documents are not in the language of the country where you are applying, you will need to get them translated by a certified translator before they can be evaluated.

Essentials for Translating Academic Documents for WES

How to Have Your Degree Translated Online

How to Translate Your CV Into English

Documents Required by The IERF