OfQual (UK) and USA

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by msganti, Nov 3, 2020.

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  1. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    Anyone here were able to get an evaluation of OfQual-supported awarding bodies (OTHM mainly) from any eval agency like WES or ECE?

    Background: I am planning to take level 5 & 6 diplomas in IT from an OTHM provider. As per OTHM these diplomas are equivalent of 2nd and 3rd year of a UK degree. I already have a degree in another field, but for immigration purposes I need to have a degree (or equivalent) in IT. I am hoping credits from my original degree + OTHM qualifications can be evaluated as degree in IT.
     
  2. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I sent an enquiry to a NACES evaluator today. I asked specifically about level 6 - if they evaluate such credentials and if they generally equate to a Bachelor's. We'll see what they say.

    Here's their answer: "Yes, we evaluation all levels of academic credentials, but the equivalency will be determined by the evaluator once we receive & approved the documents."

    This answer is pretty clear, even if the mixed-and-lightly-minced grammar is slightly bot-like.

    So we still don't know. I'm guessing the VERY best result would be a three-year Bachelor's. Anything less would be no good to you. I understand your approach would save you time and money - but I have a hinky feeling it might not bring your desired result. Just my take. Equivalents might not get the same rating over here as degrees - even if they should, by rights.
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2020
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  3. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I also don't know if they use a "Gestalt" approach - look at the whole entity. I've never heard an evaluator opine "This degree plus this other qualification adds up to a third credential." Maybe they do - but I've never heard about it. Cumulative or additive evaluation? I think that would be a long shot. About as likely (as I see it) as two bachelor's and a master's adding up to a Doctorate. Sorry to disappoint.
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2020
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  4. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    Thanks @Johann - that is partial good news for me.
    Yes these eval agencies do degree equivalency by combining multiple sources, sometimes adding experience to the mixture. And though that evaluation may not be good for higher studies, it should be good enough for immigration purposes.
     
  5. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Glad my reply was some help - even if it wasn't very direct help. I wish you well. If it assists you at all, the agency I contacted was IEE. :)
     
  6. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I completed an Accounting level 6 diploma from AIA and I sent it to ECE for evaluation. It came back as a 2 years of University equivalent. They checked the number of hours and just translated to American system. Technically level 6 is a bachelors but these professional diplomas do not contain any general ed so this makes them less than a bachelors in general. Also, bachelors degree in the UK are 3 years.
    My suggestion would be to complete a UK bachelors with the professional qualification instead of trying to use it in the US. I completed a MSc degree with the AIA diploma and this was evaluated as a Masters degree, much better than the two years of education.
     
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  7. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    NACES evaluation services don't accumulate and make a degree for you. This means that if I have a Bachelors in Math and an AIA level 6 diploma, the report will read (BAchelors degree in Math and 2 years university education in Accounting) not a BAchelors in Accounting.

    I am afraid that you would need to get a top up degree but normally this requires another year of course work and it can be quite expensive as UK universities charge 15K pounds per year.
    In my opinion, the best would be to transfer all your credits to a degree from Excelsior College or similar and just finish 2 to 3 extra classes and get a bachelors degree from the US. It will cost you less than the 15K pounds and less work than the British degree.
     
  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    That's what I thought, and said, too. Msganti seems to think they do combine sources. News to me, too.
    That might present problems. It assumes the ECTS from the UK OTHM provider will align exactly with courses required at the Big 3 school for a specific Bachelor's degree. Some might, some might not - I don't know how well individual UK courses (Not taken directly from a University, BTW) transfer to a US Big 3 (RA) school. Anybody here tried it? Maybe one of the Big 3 experts can tell us. This is not an 'everyday' situation.

    Msganti said something about his courses being "good enough for immigration" and not having to be "good enough for further study." This idea of "difference" is also new to me. I just hope he finds he's right, because other methods of qualifying may present considerably more difficulty than is apparent at first glance.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
  9. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    Thanks for the info @RFValve . This is very useful info.
    In my case, I already have a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering (from India), so it is enough for me if these agencies evaluate my original degree + Level 5 & 6 in IT as equal to a degree in IT. Just trying to save time and money. While the diploma costs around $1200, a top-up degree (after these diplomas) could cost an addition $4,000+ .
     
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I hope they will evaluate your credentials as you expect. I wish you every success. :)
     
  11. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    As I mentioned, eval agencies have 2 types of evaluation - degree equivalency (mainly used for immigration) and academic (or course-by-course) evaluation which is commonly used for further higher education. US schools ask for the second type of evaluation.
    I know of people who did 3-year degree (common in UK and commonwealth countries) + some kind of graduate cert or diploma (1-2 years), and got evaluated as equal to a 4-year US degree. Degree equivalency evaluation is a bit more relaxed than course-by-course.
     
  12. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Good to know. Again, I hope you get exactly what you want. Let us know. :)
     
  13. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    He can just get a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a concentration in IT. Good enough for immigration purposes. Liberal studies takes any credit in IT for a concentration.

    I believe Immigration would take an engineering degree in any field with IT training for the purpose of a work permit but it would be better to consult with an immigration lawyer. Immigration officials can be quite picky so I would recommend a lawyer for this and present the education in the best way possible to get your visa approved.
     
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  14. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    They do - and that's how my evals worked for me so far. But now DOL is proposing a new rule according to which the degree (or it's equivalent) should be in the concerned field (as opposed to a general degree + work experience). I just want to be prepared if the rule is enforced.
    I tried some US degree options (PennFoster, UOP) but my problem is I want to work at my own pace, prefer CBTs over online classes and sticking to schedules, participate in discussion groups (requirement for some online classes) etc. The ideal option as per my personal preferences would be to study offline and take tests/assignments also offline. The UK diplomas perfectly fit my preferred mode of study (I think).
    I consulted an attorney but since the DOL policy is just proposed (and with no conclusive definitions as usual with any govt body), the practical implications are not known yet and could take several months to unfold.
     
  15. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    Other things I am considering are an MSc from Glyndwr or Liverpool John Moores (through Upgrad), both of which are under $8000
     
  16. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Great programs. Good choices, regardless of immigration issues. One of my favourite people, guitarist Brian May (Queen) was elected Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores U. I think that was back in 2007. In 2006, Dr. May had returned to Imperial College in London (our TEKMAN is studying there) after a 30+year hiatus for his musical career - and completed his Astrophysics Ph.D. (2007).

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_May
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2020
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  17. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    One mistake that people make is not understanding that if you want to evaluate level 6 diploma it will usually show only final year equivalency to a university studies toward Bologna Bachelors degree, now if you also have a Foundation degree (equated to the US Associates degree or first 2 years of University) OR Diploma Lev 4 and 5 than you may get further.
    But what Johann stated, better check with NACES member service.

    I know that C&G Graduateship diploma is level 6 on OfQual as well and Royal Chartered and NACES evaluator evaluated it as equivalent to US Bachelors Degree.
     
  18. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Wow. I think it's been a few years since we've seen City & Guilds mentioned here at DI. .. Yes, it has....You, Lerner, in 2015 and 2016, nobody else since 2013. Just curious. Do you recall which NACES-member evaluator that was?
     
  19. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Does that automatically include any British credits, including those (Level 5-6) earned at other than a University? This is an American RA school we're talking. I don't know the exact limits of flexibility allowed in the system.

    I know in Canada, Universities balk at accepting practically anything. Often, they won't accept business or IT credits earned at Community Colleges in the same Province. Even with A's. Been there. Done that. They can keep the T-shirt. No real reason - they just want the holy, sacred money. Just sayin'.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2020
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  20. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Very good question.
    I think some rely on course by course NACES member evaluation service report.
    Some may ask for course syllabus etc.
    Some Universities in US may not accept RA credits.
    My fife long time ago couldn't transfer classes from a well known state university in to similar program at another non for profit private university.
    She was told that while its a similar program the classes don't really match on the credential.
    She had to start from the scratch, that was after we relocated, so instead she did a Masters degree in a different discipline.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2020

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