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When WES evaluates a 4-year Pakistani bachelor's degree as a 3-year diploma

Canada • Express Entry • immigration 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

    WES has been reported to evaluate some 4-year Pakistani bachelor's degrees as 3-year credentials; IQAS is an alternative ECA provider some applicants use for Pakistani degrees.

Step-by-Step

It can be frustrating (and worrying for your CRS score) when WES evaluates your 4-year Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) from a Pakistani university as only a 3-year diploma — even though your degree itself says "Hons" and you completed 16 years of education.

What the group explained:
  1. The diploma vs. degree label doesn't block you from claiming points. Even labeled a 3-year credential, you can still claim CRS points under the "one or more 3-year post-secondary credential" education category.

  2. This appears to be a known pattern with WES specifically for some Pakistani degrees. Group members noted that WES has evaluated similar Pakistani credentials this way, and suggested getting your ECA from IQAS instead — IQAS has reportedly assessed 16 years of Pakistani education as equivalent to a master's degree, which could be more favorable for your CRS score.


If your WES result doesn't reflect the full weight of your education, requesting a second ECA from IQAS is worth considering before finalizing your profile.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: Even if WES labels your 4-year Pakistani bachelor's degree a 3-year diploma, you can still claim CRS points under the "3-year credential" category.
  • Do: If you have 16 years of Pakistani education, consider getting your ECA from IQAS instead of WES — IQAS has been reported to assess this more favorably, as equivalent to a master's degree.

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