Hi guys,
I'm in a bit of a bind. I got my education credentials assessed about 4 years ago. Due to different circumstances, I was only able to file for Express Entry recently.
In Germany I underwent a vocational training (German: Ausbildung) as a Specialized Computer Scientist (3 year course: dual vocational training part-time school / part-time company). Before that I went to a vocational-technical school (German: Fachoberschule) (2 year course) for electrical engineering. And before that elementary and middle school of course. So, all lined up, I have about 15 years of school education/training behind me.
ICAS assessed my credentials as follows:
- Vocational-technical school (2 years): comparable to Secondary School Education
- Vocational training (Computer Scientist - 3 years): comparable to Vocational Study at the Secondary School Level
With this in mind, I would've selected "Bachelor's degree (three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute)" in the CRS. In my opinion, my highest level of education was a 3 year program at a trade/technical school: check.
However, my immigration lawyer said I can only select "Secondary diploma (high school graduation)" since this is what ICAS assessed me with.
I'm losing out on points big time, and I find it highly unfair since the type of education/training I went through is reputable and high quality. I don't think my vocational training is just a "high school" type of education.
What do I do now? Can I still select "Bachelor's degree (3 year program...)" as this is the logical choice? Or do I have to get a new assessment? Or is ICAS actually right and this is the highest I can get?
Thanks!
I'm in a bit of a bind. I got my education credentials assessed about 4 years ago. Due to different circumstances, I was only able to file for Express Entry recently.
In Germany I underwent a vocational training (German: Ausbildung) as a Specialized Computer Scientist (3 year course: dual vocational training part-time school / part-time company). Before that I went to a vocational-technical school (German: Fachoberschule) (2 year course) for electrical engineering. And before that elementary and middle school of course. So, all lined up, I have about 15 years of school education/training behind me.
ICAS assessed my credentials as follows:
- Vocational-technical school (2 years): comparable to Secondary School Education
- Vocational training (Computer Scientist - 3 years): comparable to Vocational Study at the Secondary School Level
With this in mind, I would've selected "Bachelor's degree (three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute)" in the CRS. In my opinion, my highest level of education was a 3 year program at a trade/technical school: check.
However, my immigration lawyer said I can only select "Secondary diploma (high school graduation)" since this is what ICAS assessed me with.
I'm losing out on points big time, and I find it highly unfair since the type of education/training I went through is reputable and high quality. I don't think my vocational training is just a "high school" type of education.
What do I do now? Can I still select "Bachelor's degree (3 year program...)" as this is the logical choice? Or do I have to get a new assessment? Or is ICAS actually right and this is the highest I can get?
Thanks!