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Personal History vs Education History - Dilemma

mt103plus

Star Member
Aug 11, 2017
79
58
@DelPiero07 @legalfalcon @others

Hello, I have a peculiar question about my education history and how to go about entering information in Personal vs Education history section.

I completed my 2 year masters program from an Indian University. It had total 6 semesters (3 each year). I opted for student exchange and spent my 5th semester outside of India (UK). I was in UK for 4 months.

The transcripts and degree certificate do not mention anything about me spending a semester in UK. My WES ECA too reflects study of country as India for the entire duration of 2 years.

Now, my education history will show that I was a student in India for 2 continuous years, however my personal history will show 4 months of travel to UK and I will mention purpose of visit as 'Study/Exchange Student at Leeds' (it was a student Visa).

I have two questions -
1. should I include anything in my education history about UK semester? Note that my ECA does not mention it.
2. Do I need a PCC from UK?

I will mention all this in LoE but wanted to know what to do with personal history vs education history mismatch. Please can you advise?
 

santhkum90

Hero Member
Oct 17, 2017
700
170
Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2133
App. Filed.......
15-09-2017
AOR Received.
15-09-2017
Passport Req..
16-10-2017
VISA ISSUED...
25-10-2017
LANDED..........
28-03-2018
@DelPiero07 @legalfalcon @others

Hello, I have a peculiar question about my education history and how to go about entering information in Personal vs Education history section.

I completed my 2 year masters program from an Indian University. It had total 6 semesters (3 each year). I opted for student exchange and spent my 5th semester outside of India (UK). I was in UK for 4 months.

The transcripts and degree certificate do not mention anything about me spending a semester in UK. My WES ECA too reflects study of country as India for the entire duration of 2 years.

Now, my education history will show that I was a student in India for 2 continuous years, however my personal history will show 4 months of travel to UK and I will mention purpose of visit as 'Study/Exchange Student at Leeds' (it was a student Visa).

I have two questions -
1. should I include anything in my education history about UK semester? Note that my ECA does not mention it.
2. Do I need a PCC from UK?

I will mention all this in LoE but wanted to know what to do with personal history vs education history mismatch. Please can you advise?
1. No. Mention it in personal history and explain in a LOE.
2. If you visit is less than 6 months, you don't need one.
 

mt103plus

Star Member
Aug 11, 2017
79
58
Thanks, but I doubt it will be acceptable, especially the 1st point. The below is from CIC website -

Under “Education,” applicants will be advised to enter the country and city in which they were physically present, even in the case of distance learning. This is to avoid unnecessary requests for police certificates.

Should I still just enter my two year degree as a single line and indicate country and city as India/Mumbai? I am worried that this will amount to misrepresentation as I was not present in India/Mumbai for full 2 years.
 

northern sunshine

Hero Member
Mar 22, 2017
674
715
USA
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2112
App. Filed.......
12-06-2018
AOR Received.
12-06-2018
Med's Done....
02-06-2018
Passport Req..
26-07-2018
LANDED..........
23-02-2019
Thanks, but I doubt it will be acceptable, especially the 1st point. The below is from CIC website -

Under “Education,” applicants will be advised to enter the country and city in which they were physically present, even in the case of distance learning. This is to avoid unnecessary requests for police certificates.

Should I still just enter my two year degree as a single line and indicate country and city as India/Mumbai? I am worried that this will amount to misrepresentation as I was not present in India/Mumbai for full 2 years.
Study abroad is very common. CIC will understand this if you explain in a LOE that you studied abroad for a semester. No need to change your degree location-- the guidelines that you cited refer to students who complete their education at a branch of a university or via distance learning. Your school was in Mumbai, you spent the majority of your time in Mumbai, and I assume you graduated there; therefore that is the location of your schooling. Just list your UK portion as "study abroad" under travel history.
 

mt103plus

Star Member
Aug 11, 2017
79
58
Study abroad is very common. CIC will understand this if you explain in a LOE that you studied abroad for a semester. No need to change your degree location-- the guidelines that you cited refer to students who complete their education at a branch of a university or via distance learning. Your school was in Mumbai, you spent the majority of your time in Mumbai, and I assume you graduated there; therefore that is the location of your schooling. Just list your UK portion as "study abroad" under travel history.
Thank you, wouldn't the CIC mind if I mention 'study abroad' under travel history/personal history while Education lists my city as Mumbai?

Would it be okay if I show overlapping dates in Education History/Personal History as below?

Education History:
05/2012 to 04/2014 - MBA, Mumbai, India (this is what my WES says)

Personal History:
05/2012 to 04/2014 - MBA, Mumbai, India
09/2013 to 01/2014 - Exchange Student, Leeds, UK (completed in good standing, no certificate awarded)

The Personal History is very specific - it clearly asks to mention any organisation/school that I have been associated with.
 
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