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MSc diploma equivalent

kokokrunch

Newbie
Nov 24, 2019
3
0
Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum so please excuse my ignorance. I'm currently enrolled in a combined MSc/PhD program where I entered as an MSc student and "reclassified" to a PhD track after 18 months, having completed the same requirements as an MSc student would. Because of this, and the fact that our reclassification exam is structured very similarly to an MSc thesis defense, I was wondering whether the IRCC would accept an official letter from the department/university stating that our reclassification exam is essentially an equivalent of an MSc, just without the diploma. I also say this since some of the big Canadian scholarships such as Vanier removes the first 12 months of someone in a combined Masters/PhD program, suggesting that these 12 months are not counted towards one's PhD term. Any advice/suggestion would be greatly appreciated!
 

zabrodov

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Sep 19, 2018
653
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IRCC won’t accept any letters on education, unfortunately. IRCC relies solely on the reports done by the evaluating agencies.
 

kokokrunch

Newbie
Nov 24, 2019
3
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Hi, what do you mean by "reports done by the evaluating agencies?" Does IRCC not evaluate the uploaded documents themselves? Thanks!
 

thephdguy

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Oct 1, 2019
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Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum so please excuse my ignorance. I'm currently enrolled in a combined MSc/PhD program where I entered as an MSc student and "reclassified" to a PhD track after 18 months, having completed the same requirements as an MSc student would. Because of this, and the fact that our reclassification exam is structured very similarly to an MSc thesis defense, I was wondering whether the IRCC would accept an official letter from the department/university stating that our reclassification exam is essentially an equivalent of an MSc, just without the diploma. I also say this since some of the big Canadian scholarships such as Vanier removes the first 12 months of someone in a combined Masters/PhD program, suggesting that these 12 months are not counted towards one's PhD term. Any advice/suggestion would be greatly appreciated!
Is there no diploma awarded whatsoever? I did my MS and my PhD in the same university, but they did give me a diploma for the MS. I think you may not have a case with any of the evaluating agencies because they ask for your diploma or certificate and your transcripts. Try to find out if there's anyway they can award you a diploma. Good luck!
 

kokokrunch

Newbie
Nov 24, 2019
3
0
You need to get an ECA for your degree if it's not from a Canadian institution. IRCC will not accept such a letter directly from your university
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/education-assessed.html
I'm currently enrolled in a Canadian university so I don't think an ECA is needed. I understand that mine may be a special case, but I was just wondering whether IRCC will accept anything other than a diploma.