How does CES assess my credential?

As a member of Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada, CES is committed to the Pan-Canadian Quality Assurance Framework for the Assessment of International Academic Credentials and the Recommendation on Criteria and Procedures for the Assessment of Foreign Qualifications adopted under the 1997 Lisbon Recognition Convention

At CES, each application is reviewed individually by an experienced credentials assessor to determine the assessment outcome. An educational credential assessment includes two essential components: 

  • the recognition of an internationally earned academic credential in the country of origin

&

  • the general academic level of such a credential in the Canadian context

CES has almost 50 years of experience in assessing international credentials. We have an extensive library of reference materials which is updated regularly, and we conduct original research to track ongoing changes in educational systems worldwide. Our resource materials include the International Handbook of Universities, the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook, and the World List of Universities, to name a few. In addition, CES consults with other experts in international and Canadian education, special publications regarding educational systems, ministries of education and other government agencies of various countries, as well as embassies and consulates.

When assessing an international academic credential, CES determines if the institutional and program are officially recognized at the time of your study in the country of education, by a competent educational authority of that country. 

When additionally information is required to assess an academic credential against Canadian standards, our assessment team may contact the awarding institution, the competent educational authority and/or other assessment agencies for further information. We will always notify you if we need to conduct further research. 

In cases where the credential is found not to be recognized by the competent educational authorities of its country of origin, or if there are substantial differences between it and an otherwise similar Canadian credential, CES reserves the right to provide an assessment with a negative outcome.

 

To determine the assessment outcome, CES checks:

  • the general admission requirements
  • the official length of the program
  • the program content
  • the function of the program

The above information is then compared to a similar credential offered in a Canadian institution to determine its general academic level in Canada. CES does not offer detailed course-by-course analysis. 

CES ECA reports include only academic credentials received through formal education completed at academic institutions. For credentials CES does not assess, please consult this page.

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