A credential evaluation is an official assessment of your academic qualifications that converts them into the equivalent standard of your destination country. Many universities and colleges require one as part of an international study abroad application — here is what you need to know for each destination.
Note: Not all institutions require a credential evaluation. Whether one is needed for your application will be shown on the Application Requirements tab in your ApplyBoard profile.
Find programs that match your qualifications
Browse thousands of programs at top institutions in Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, and more — and apply for free through ApplyBoard.
What Is a Credential Evaluation?
A credential evaluation (also called a foreign qualification recognition or credential assessment) is a process carried out by an authorized organization that reviews your academic transcripts, diplomas, and certificates and determines their equivalent standard in your destination country.
Universities use credential evaluations to understand how your previous education compares to their local curriculum — so they can fairly assess whether you meet the entry requirements for your chosen program.
Credential Evaluation by Destination: At a Glance
Canada and the United States
Some Canadian and US institutions require a credential evaluation report as part of the international application. This report helps the institution understand how your previous coursework compares to their local curriculum.
In Canada, evaluations are most commonly completed by:
- World Education Services (WES) — the most widely recognized evaluation body for Canadian institutions
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service) — the provincially mandated service for British Columbia specifically
In the United States, most evaluation agencies are affiliated with:
- National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
- Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
Note: Always check whether your institution requires a course-by-course evaluation or a document-by-document evaluation before ordering — these are different products with different costs. The Application Requirements tab will specify which type is needed.
Germany
Germany relies on a standardized evaluation system to determine whether foreign degrees match German educational standards:
- Anabin Database: A free public database operated by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). You can look up your institution (aiming for an H+ status rating) and degree (aiming for entspricht or gleichwertig).
- ZAB Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung): If your institution or degree is not listed in Anabin, or is rated H+/-, you may need to apply directly to ZAB for an official Statement of Comparability.
United Kingdom
Some UK institutions require a Statement of Comparability — the UK equivalent of a credential evaluation. This document provides official evidence of the level of your overseas qualification and how it compares to UK standards.
The Statement of Comparability is managed by the UK ENIC (UK Network of Information Centres), under contract with the UK Department of Education. You can apply for one directly through the UK ENIC website.
Ireland
For students applying to Irish institutions, NARIC Ireland maintains a searchable Foreign Qualifications Database that compares your qualification to the appropriate level on Ireland's National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Note: The NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications Database is advisory only — it is not a legal document and does not constitute a formal credential evaluation. Check with your specific institution to confirm whether a formal evaluation is required.
Malta
If you are applying to institutions in Malta, foreign academic qualifications are evaluated by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC), operating under the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).
MQRIC issues an official Recognition Statement that pegs your qualification against the 8 levels of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Applications are submitted online via the official MFHEA portal.
Australia
For Australian institutions, there is no single national credential evaluation body for study purposes. In most cases, individual institutions assess an applicant's overseas qualifications independently as part of their own admissions process. Check directly with your institution — or refer to the Application Requirements tab in your ApplyBoard application — to confirm what is expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are two different WES evaluation products used for different purposes:
- Course-by-Course Evaluation: Provides the US or Canadian equivalency for each individual course on your transcript, converts semester credits and grades, and calculates a GPA. This is required for graduate program applications and licensing board submissions.
- Document-by-Document Evaluation: Identifies and describes each credential you submit (degrees, diplomas) and provides their US or Canadian equivalent — without analyzing individual courses. This is suitable for first-year undergraduate entry, immigration, and employment purposes.
Note: Always check the Application Requirements tab before ordering your WES evaluation — uploading the wrong type is a common cause of application delays.
ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service) is the provincially mandated evaluation service for British Columbia. If you require an ICES report, ApplyBoard can request it on your behalf as part of the application process. Fees are charged per individual credential:
- Basic Report: C$128 per education credential — includes two original hard-copy evaluation reports and standard regular mail postage (non-trackable). Digital copies are not available for security reasons.
- Comprehensive Report: C$230 per education credential — includes two original hard-copy evaluation reports and standard regular mail postage (non-trackable).
Warning! These fees apply per individual credential — each additional credential incurs an additional charge. Prices may change at ICES's discretion. Always check the ICES Fee Structure for the most current pricing before proceeding.
Processing times depend on document receipt and verification. Once WES receives and accepts all required official documents from your home institution, standard evaluation processing takes 7 business days (roughly 1 to 2 weeks). However, including international document transit and institutional verification, the entire end-to-end timeline typically takes 4 to 7 weeks. Plan ahead and order your evaluation well before your application deadline.
Whether a credential evaluation is required depends on the institution and the country where you studied — not the language of instruction. Students who studied in English-speaking countries may still be required to submit a credential evaluation. Check the Application Requirements tab for your specific program to confirm.
In some cases, institutions will accept an application with a credential evaluation in progress and review it conditionally. However, the evaluation report will typically need to be submitted before a final admission decision is made. Check the Application Requirements tab for your program and speak with ApplyBoard if you are concerned about timing. Learn more: Access 24/7 Live Chat Support.
Ready to move forward with your application?
Already on ApplyBoard? Head to your dashboard to check your document requirements. New to ApplyBoard? Create your free account and get started today.