What Is My Foreign Degree Equivalent To?
Many visa applications, university admissions, and job requirements ask for a US/Canada-equivalent education level. This degree equivalency calculator gives a general estimate based on your total years of formal education and credential type — useful for early planning before pursuing an official evaluation.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This tool gives a general estimate only. Official equivalency for immigration, employment, or academic admission purposes requires a formal credential evaluation from a designated service (e.g. WES, ECE, IQAS, or your destination country's national recognition body) — evaluators weigh the specific institution, accreditation, and curriculum, not just years of study.
Why "3-Year" Bachelor's Degrees Are Often Complicated
Many countries award bachelor's degrees after 3 years of study (rather than the 4 years typical in the US and Canada). Depending on the evaluating body and destination country, a 3-year bachelor's degree may be treated as a full bachelor's equivalent, a "3-year degree" flagged as needing additional assessment, or equivalent to an advanced diploma — this varies by evaluator and by the specific program, which is exactly why an official credential evaluation matters for anything formal.
General Education Level Bands
| Total Years of Education | General Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 12-13 | High school diploma |
| 14-15 | 1-2 year diploma / associate degree |
| 16-17 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18-20 | Master's degree |
| 21+ | Doctorate (PhD) |
When You Need an Official Credential Evaluation
For university admissions, professional licensing, employment verification, or immigration points systems (like Canada's Express Entry), you'll typically need a formal Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization — this tool is a helpful early estimate, not a substitute for that process.