Adding Points to Your Canada Express Entry Score with a 1-Year Private College Degree

When applying for Canadian permanent residency through the Express Entry system, obtaining the right combination of qualifications can significantly impact your score. Often, the educational background, including any degree or diploma, plays a crucial role in determining your score. This particularly applies to individuals with a combination of degrees—such as a 4-year university degree and a 1-year private college diploma—which may influence your eligibility for more points. Here’s a detailed guide to help you understand how to leverage your qualifications and add to your Canada Express Entry score.

Understanding Canada Express Entry

Canada's Express Entry system uses a points-based approach to evaluate applicants for various economic immigration programs. Points are awarded in several categories, including age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Among these, education is a significant factor, where degrees from recognized educational institutions can earn additional points.

Points for Educational Qualifications

For a Master’s degree assessed by World Education Services (WES), you typically do not earn any additional points. However, if you hold a Bachelor’s degree and have no Master’s degree, your educational qualifications can potentially add between 7 to 15 points. However, it is crucial to verify these points with a Canadian embassy or consular office. This ensures that your qualifications are accurately recognized and that you are awarded the correct number of points in your Express Entry profile.

Private College Diplomas and Points

It is worth noting that private colleges in Canada generally offer diploma or certificate programs rather than full-fledged degree programs within a year. This means that a 1-year private college diploma does not count as a Canadian qualification within the 15 points category of the Express Entry system. Instead, it can be evaluated for its ‘pure’ qualification, which may contribute to your score in other ways such as in the transferability section.

Transferability Section in Express Entry

The transferability section of the Express Entry application is designed to assess qualifications that are recognized by the Canadian labor market. Here, having a diploma from a recognized Canadian institution can be advantageous. An additional educational qualification could increase your points in this area if it is transferring well to the Canadian labor market. For instance:

Assessed 3-Year Qualification: If you already possess an assessed 3-year degree, the additional 1-year diploma could provide more points for transferability. No Post-Secondary Qualification: If you do not hold any secondary education qualifications, the 1-year diploma alone can provide points in this category. Combining with Other Qualifications: Even if you already have a 4-year university degree, if the 1-year private college diploma is in a field that is recognized and transferable in the Canadian job market, you can potentially earn additional points for its relevance and value.

Verification with WES

For obtaining the most accurate assessment of your qualifications, it is essential to have your degree and diploma evaluated by World Education Services (WES). WES provides a thorough evaluation that can be recognized by Canadian immigration authorities. It ensures that your qualifications are accurately assessed and can support your application.

Conclusion

While a 1-year private college diploma does not directly add points to your Canada Express Entry score in the 15 points segment, it can indirectly boost your eligibility through the transferability section. By confirming your qualifications with a Canadian embassy and leveraging WES evaluations, you can maximize your chances of obtaining the highest possible score and securing a successful application for permanent residency in Canada.