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Low CRS at age 35 with an older degree: does the study permit route still make sense?

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Step-by-Step

An applicant with a low CRS score at age 35, whose last academic qualification was from 2007, asked whether the study-permit route was realistic and whether others in similar situations had gotten admissions.

What the thread shared:
  1. One member's study permit was refused for a 1-year Project Management program (September 2022 intake), with the refusal reason noted as already holding a Master's (MBA in Marketing, 2013) — visa officers can view a short program as redundant when the applicant already holds a higher-level, related qualification and years of matching work experience.

  2. Other members reported success with similar profiles, and the general encouragement was to apply rather than assume rejection based on age or qualification gap alone.


Takeaway: if you already hold a Master's, a short program that doesn't clearly build on or add to your existing qualification and career path may face refusal risk — choosing a program that shows a genuine progression or skill gap can strengthen your study plan.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: Already holding a Master's degree can work against a study permit application for a short program that looks redundant to a visa officer — pick a program that shows clear progression from your existing background.
  • Do: Don't rule yourself out based on age or an older qualification alone — other applicants with similar profiles have succeeded.

Have a question about this? Join the discussion.

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