10.2. Education
Definition:
For definition of terms, see Section 6.4.
Officers should assess programs of study and award points based on the standards that exist in
the country of study. The Regulations do not provide for comparisons to Canadian educational
standards;
If the applicant has an educational credential referred to in a particular paragraph in R78(2) but
not the total number of years of study required by that paragraph, officers should award the
number of points set out in the paragraph that refers to the number of years of study completed
by the applicant [R78(4)].
Example: 1. If an applicant has a master's degree, but only 16 years of education, an officer would go
down to the category for which the applicant meets the total number of years and, using this example,
award 22 points;
Example: 2. If an applicant has a four-year bachelor's degree and 16 years of education, an officer
would award 20 points, as a single two, three, or four-year university credential at the bachelor's level,
combined with at least 14 years of full-time study, is worth 20 points;
Note: Medical doctor degrees are generally first-level university credentials, in the same way that a
Bachelor of Law or a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology is a first level, albeit “professional”
degree and should be awarded 20 points. If it is a second-level degree and if, for example, it
belongs to a Faculty of Graduate Studies, 25 points may be awarded. If a bachelor's credential is
a prerequisite to the credential, but the credential itself is still considered a first-level degree, then
22 points would be appropriate. It is important to refer to how the local authority responsible for
educational institutions recognizes the credential: i.e., as a first-level or second-level or higher
university credential.
Pursuant to R77, officers should award points for the credential and years of study that the
applicant has completed at the time the application is made. If further study is completed and
documentation submitted between application and assessment, officers must award the points for
the highest educational credential obtained at the time of assessment.
A distance learning credential is eligible for points as long as it meets the definition of a credential
as outlined in R73. If the credential is not described in terms of number of years duration (i.e.,
three-year bachelor's degree), officers should apply the definition of full-time equivalent study and
knowledge that the visa office has acquired on local education institutions and credentials.
There is a high incidence of fraud in this area. Verification checks should be conducted with
issuing institutions to ensure that program integrity standards are respected.
Pursuant to R78, officers should assess the application and award the applicant up to a maximum
of 25 points for education as follows:
Credential and number of years of education Points
Secondary school has not been completed (i.e., no diploma obtained) and the 0
applicant has no trade or apprenticeship educational credentials
Secondary school educational credential 5
One year post-secondary educational credential, other than a university 12
credential, and at least 12 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent
studies
One year post-secondary educational credential, other than a university 15
educational credential, and at least 13 years of completed full-time or full-time
equivalent studies
One year university educational credential at the bachelor's level, and at least 13 15
years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies
Two year post-secondary educational credential, other than a university 20
educational credential, and at least 14 years of completed full-time or full-time
equivalent studies
A university educational credential of two years or more at the bachelor's level, 20
and at least 14 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies
Three year post-secondary educational credential, other than a university 22
educational credential, and at least 15 years of completed full-time or full-time
equivalent studies
University educational credential at the master's or doctoral level and at least 17 25
years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent studies
EXtracted from OP6e.pdf
