Understanding WES Evaluation for Immigration to Canada

Undertaking post-secondary education is a common aspiration for international students, and when it comes to immigration to Canada, the evaluation by World Education Services (WES) plays a crucial role. This article explains how WES evaluates your degrees, addressing common questions around bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in WES Evaluation

The WES evaluation process is focused on the level and recognized equivalency of your degrees to Canadian standards, rather than the time taken to complete them. This is an important point to keep in mind if you've completed your degrees in a longer timeframe than usual.

Bachelor’s Degree

Generally, a standard bachelor’s degree in many countries is considered to be 3 to 4 years in length. If you completed your bachelor’s degree in 4.5 years, WES will still evaluate it as a bachelor’s degree. However, the extended duration might be noted during the evaluation process.

Master’s Degree

A master’s degree typically requires 1 to 2 years of study following a bachelor’s degree. Your 4-year master’s program might also be evaluated as a master’s degree, but the longer duration could be taken into account.

WES evaluates degrees based on their equivalency to Canadian standards. Therefore, you will receive points for both degrees as long as they are recognized as valid by WES regardless of the time taken to complete them. However, if you are concerned about how your extended study periods might impact your evaluation or points in specific immigration programs, it may be helpful to consult WES directly or refer to the specific requirements of the immigration program you are interested in.

WES Evaluation Process Details

WES does not allocate points to the education degree. They assess the program, its content, and rigor, and determine if the submitted certificate is equivalent to a specific level in the Canadian education system. This evaluation process is crucial as it helps to establish the equivalency of your qualifications.

Extreme Examples of Equivalency

It's important to note that WES evaluations can turn out quite differently depending on the institution and program. For instance, a PhD obtained outside Canada might be equivalent to a 3-year diploma in Canada, or a master’s degree which is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Conversely, some bachelor’s degrees might be considered equivalent to a high school diploma.

The Importance of Master’s Degree Evaluation

If you have the highest qualification, i.e., a master’s degree, it is beneficial to get it evaluated by WES. A master’s degree will fetch you more points than a bachelor’s degree, thus increasing your CRS (Canadian Experience Class) score. This is because the higher the degree, the more points it is likely to be awarded.

Conclusion

Understanding the WES evaluation process and the factors that influence it is crucial for international students planning to immigrate to Canada. By familiarizing yourself with the evaluation criteria, you can better prepare your application and increase your chances of migrating successfully.