IQAS International Education Guides
These guides explain how international education credentials compare to Alberta education credentials and standards.
About the guides
The International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) International Education Guides profile educational systems in countries with the highest levels of immigration to Alberta. It compares credentials from these countries with educational standards in Canada, and can be used to make accurate and efficient decisions about the recognition of international credentials.
Each guide covers:
- country overview
- historical education
- school education system
- higher education system
- professional / technical / vocational education
- teacher education
- grading scales
- documentation for educational credentials
- IQAS’ suggested credentials comparisons
- bibliography
Note: Questions about credentials not covered in this guide should be referred to IQAS .
Translated credential titles
For accuracy, check the title of the credential in the original language, as well as the translation. If the title of the credential doesn’t appear in either language, refer to the overview of the country’s education system to find the level of the credential or alternative titles.
Who can use the guides
These guides are typically used by:
- employers who need to know if an applicant with international credentials meets the educational requirement for the job, and how to compare those credentials to educational standards in Alberta and Canada
- educational institutions that need to decide if a prospective student meets the education requirements for admission
- professional licensing bodies that need to know if an applicant meets the educational standards
- potential immigrants
- newcomers
- immigrant-serving agencies
Credential templates
The International Education Guides give detailed information on educational credentials awarded when completing a program of study.
For each country listed, you’ll find credential templates with descriptions of:
- the credential’s official name
- the standardized English translation
- alternative names
- the time period the credential was offered
- the issuing body
- admission requirements into the program
- descriptive program information
- recommendations on how the credential compares to educational standards in Alberta
Terms and conditions
These are not official IQAS assessments.
The recommendations in these guides are for your information only. The credential comparisons represent common educational patterns within each country. They don’t take into account the recognition status of the institution through which a credential was obtained, the authenticity of the documentation, or the particular pattern of education followed by an individual.