Five things every admissions officer should know
UK ENIC’s Research, Data and Insights team have expert knowledge that helps ensure the information in our database of over 4,000 international qualifications remains up-to-date for members.
Research Manager Emma Kirby has created a useful list of five things every admissions officer should know about qualifications:
1. No two qualifications are the same
In many countries, for example, upper secondary education covers a much broader range of subjects than the A level does in the UK. But we would still compare international awards to the overall UK A level standard if the broader learning outcomes are similar.
This is why we always talk about qualification ‘comparability’ rather than ‘equivalence’.
When UK ENIC compares an international secondary award to the UK A level, we essentially mean that the international award offers suitable preparation for UK undergraduate study.
2. Maths in particular is studied very differently around the world
In countries like the USA, high-school pupils study specific topics such as algebra, geometry, or trigonometry. Elsewhere, maths is taught as a broader subject. Rarely is maths studied quite like it is in the UK, but that doesn’t necessarily matter.
Consider what degree the student is applying for. Do they really just need to demonstrate some level of numerical literacy or is maths central to what the person is looking to study?
3. The most prominent word(s) on the certificate are not necessarily the award title
Students may be issued with a generic ‘Certificate’ or ‘Diploma’ that tells you very little about what the award actually is. The key to identifying a qualification may be picking out the institution name or educational pathway from the smaller print further down the page. This is particularly relevant to countries like Greece and Finland.
4. There are no universal definitions
Terms such as ‘Honours’, ‘GPA’ and ‘higher’ will mean different things in different countries. Definitions may even vary by institution. Even the concept of ‘national recognition’ is tricky to define as not every country has an overarching qualifications framework or register. If need be, consult the individual school or institution website for further information.
5. Translations can be misleading
Translators aren’t necessarily experts in the nuances of qualifications. Similarly, an older post-secondary award may be retrospectively translated as a ‘Bachelor’ degree, even though it wasn’t categorised as such at the time of conferral.
To be sure of what’s in front of you, always request a copy of the original-language documents. And if in doubt, contact UK ENIC.