You worked hard for your degree in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or elsewhere in Africa. But when you apply for jobs, further study or immigration abroad, employers and officials may not know how your qualification compares to local ones. That’s where credential evaluation comes in.
What Is Credential Evaluation?
Credential evaluation is a process where an approved organisation reviews your academic qualifications and states their local equivalent. For example, it might confirm that your Nigerian bachelor’s degree is comparable to a bachelor’s degree in the UK, US or Canada.
This helps employers, universities and immigration authorities understand your education.
When You Need It
- Immigration: Canada’s Express Entry requires an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees.
- Employment: Some employers, especially in regulated or public sector roles, request evaluations.
- Further study: Universities may ask for recognition when you apply for postgraduate programmes.
- Professional licensing: Regulators in fields such as nursing, teaching, engineering and accounting often require formal assessments.
Main Evaluation Bodies by Country
United States and Canada: World Education Services (WES) is one of the most widely used evaluators. Others also exist, and Canada designates specific organisations for immigration ECAs.
United Kingdom: The UK’s national agency for international qualifications provides statements of comparability for employers, universities and visa applications.
Europe: Most countries have a national ENIC-NARIC centre that handles recognition.
Gulf: Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia may require degree attestation and equivalency certificates from education ministries, often involving several authentication steps.
Always check which body your employer, university or immigration authority accepts before paying for an evaluation.
The Process Usually Involves
- Creating an account with the evaluation body
- Paying the evaluation fee
- Requesting that your university send official transcripts directly
- Submitting copies of certificates
- Waiting for verification and the final report
The Biggest Challenge: Transcripts
Many African applicants face delays because universities are slow to send transcripts. Some require physical visits, special forms or payments. Start early, follow up regularly and, if possible, have someone you trust in your home country help with the process.
Make sure your name on transcripts matches your passport. If you changed your name after marriage, prepare supporting documents.
Professional Qualifications Are Different
An academic evaluation doesn’t automatically license you to practise a profession. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers, teachers and accountants usually need separate registration with local professional bodies. This can involve exams, supervised practice or additional study.
Watch for Fraud
Only use official evaluation bodies. Some agents sell fake evaluation reports or promise to “upgrade” degrees. Fake or altered documents can lead to job loss, visa refusal and legal action.
Tips for a Smooth Evaluation
- Confirm which evaluator your target organisation accepts
- Request transcripts months in advance
- Keep digital copies of all certificates
- Check that names and dates are consistent across documents
- Choose the right report type, such as document-by-document or course-by-course
- Track your application and respond to requests quickly
Using Your Evaluation
Once you receive your report, mention it on your CV, for example: “Bachelor’s degree (assessed as comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree).” It removes doubt and shows employers you’ve done your homework.
What If Your Degree Is Assessed Lower?
Sometimes an evaluation rates a qualification lower than you expected, for example assessing a Higher National Diploma differently from a bachelor’s degree. Don’t panic. Read the report carefully, check whether you can request a review, and consider whether a short top-up course or professional certificate abroad could close the gap. Many people build successful careers by combining their original qualification with a local credential.
Final Thoughts
Your African degree has value abroad, but it often needs translating into terms local institutions understand. Start the evaluation process early, use recognised bodies and keep your documents consistent. It’s a small investment that opens doors to jobs, study and immigration.