How Credential Evaluations Differ for Indian?

When applying to study, work, or migrate abroad, your academic qualifications from home don’t automatically carry the same meaning in another country. That’s where credential evaluation comes in—it helps convert your educational background into a format that foreign institutions, employers, or immigration officers can understand.

However, the process isn’t the same for everyone. Applicants from different countries—like India and the Philippines—face unique challenges and considerations. This article breaks down how credential evaluations differ between these two countries, what applicants should watch out for, and how to navigate the process smoothly.

 

Pitfall	More common for Indian Applicants	More common for Philippine Applicants
Sending unofficial or non‑sealed transcripts	Yes – Indian universities sometimes issue mark sheets that are not in sealed envelopes or may send via applicant rather than directly.	Less common but still possible, especially for private institutions or if applicant doesn’t request official sealed versions.
Lack of clarity about grading scale / missing class/division	Yes – many transcripts do not clearly state percentage/scale for every course, or only divisions.	Some Philippine institutions may have less transparent grading mapping or use different scales; rare cases where scale is not indicated.
Underestimating document translation / authentication needs	Less so for Indian HE documents (English), but secondary school or older documents may need translation.	Some secondary or non‑university documents may need translation; authentication by government departments (DepEd, CHED) may be mandatory.
Expecting 3‑year degree to be accepted as full US bachelor’s without checking institution/accreditation	Very common in Indian applicants. May lead to surprise if evaluation grants only partial equivalency.	Less of an issue for Philippines because most bachelor’s are longer duration.
Late submission of required documents (official transcripts, sealed, etc.)	Yes, especially when universities must prepare sealed envelopes or send internationally.	Similar issues, though many PH universities have more standardised procedures; but delays in obtaining authenticated records can still occur.

What is Credential Evaluation?

Credential evaluation is a formal process where your academic achievements are reviewed to determine their equivalency in another country’s education system.

Why It’s Needed:

• For University Admissions: To verify if your qualifications meet the academic entry requirements.
• For Employment: Employers may want to understand what your degree equals in their local system.
• For Immigration or Licensure: Some countries or professions require credential equivalency for legal or licensing reasons.

Types of Evaluations:

1. Document-by-Document Evaluation
   Focuses on confirming your degree and the level of study. Often used for immigration or general employment.
2. Course-by-Course Evaluation
   A detailed report showing your grades, subjects, credit hours, and GPA equivalent. Required by most universities and licensing boards.

Key Differences in Credential Evaluation: India vs. Philippines

1. Duration of Bachelor’s Degrees

• India: Many bachelor’s degrees (like B.A. or B.Com) are three years long. Engineering, pharmacy, and similar programs are four years, and medicine takes even longer. This three-year format sometimes raises concerns abroad, as many countries require a four-year degree for equivalency.
• Philippines: Most bachelor’s degrees span four to five years, aligning more closely with systems in countries like the US or Canada. The recent implementation of the K-12 system has also brought Philippine secondary education more in line with international norms.

2. Recognition of Three-Year Degrees

• Indian Applicants: Not all three-year degrees are accepted as equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree. The final decision depends on factors like the reputation of the institution, the division/class you graduated with, and the accrediting body.
• Philippine Applicants: Since their bachelor’s degrees are generally four years or more, they face fewer obstacles in achieving full degree recognition.

3. Grading Systems

• India: Uses a variety of grading methods—percentages, divisions (like First Class, Second Class), and CGPA systems. These don’t directly translate to the 4.0 GPA scale used in the US or Canada, so evaluators must interpret them carefully.
• Philippines: Many universities use a 1.00 to 5.00 scale, where 1.00 is the highest grade and 5.00 is failing. Some use a 4.0 scale or percentages. Because of the variability, clear grading explanations from your institution are important.

4. Language of Instruction and Documentation

• India: Most higher education is conducted in English, reducing the need for translation. However, older or regional institutions might issue documents in local languages, which may need to be translated.
• Philippines: English is commonly used in both instruction and documentation, especially in higher education. This makes the process smoother, although some high school records may still need translation.

5. Accreditation and Recognition

• India: Institutions are evaluated based on their accreditation status. Bodies like NAAC and UGC play a key role in determining credibility. An institution’s accreditation level can significantly impact whether your degree is recognized as equivalent.
• Philippines: Universities and colleges are recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Official authentication, often in the form of a CAV (Certification, Authentication, and Verification), may be required.

6. Transcript and Document Submission

• Indian Applicants: May struggle with universities that are slow to issue official sealed transcripts. Missing course details or lack of clarity in transcripts can delay the evaluation.
• Philippine Applicants: Usually benefit from more standardized documentation. Transcripts tend to include course names, grades, units, and grading scales, which help evaluation agencies accurately assess credentials.

A Closer Look at Indian Credential Evaluation

Evaluating Three-Year Degrees

One of the biggest hurdles Indian applicants face is the evaluation of three-year degrees. While some evaluation agencies now accept them under specific conditions, many still require the institution to be highly rated and the applicant to have graduated with strong marks (e.g., First Division). Otherwise, these degrees may only be considered equivalent to three years of undergraduate study, not a full bachelor’s degree.

Grading Interpretation

Indian universities often use percentages or CGPA out of 10, which don’t directly translate into other grading systems. For example, a score of 60% in India may actually be considered quite strong but might appear low in systems where 60% is just a pass. That’s why including documentation that explains the grading system or class (like First Class with Distinction) can help.

Documentation Challenges

Getting official transcripts in a sealed envelope, especially from public universities, can be time-consuming. Some institutions may not list individual course marks or use outdated formats, which complicates course-by-course evaluations.

A Closer Look at Philippine Credential Evaluation

More Aligned with Western Systems

Because the Philippines now follows a K-12 structure and offers four-year or longer degree programs, it often aligns more closely with Western education systems. This makes it easier for Philippine applicants to meet equivalency standards.

Understanding the Grading Scale

The typical grading scale in many Philippine universities ranges from 1.00 (excellent) to 5.00 (fail), which can confuse evaluators unfamiliar with the inverted scale. It’s important for applicants to ensure their transcripts include a legend or scale explanation.

Importance of CHED and CAV

Institutions in the Philippines are generally recognized by CHED. Applicants may need to submit documents authenticated through the Certification, Authentication, and Verification process, especially if applying for study or work overseas.

Key Differences in Credential Evaluation: India vs. Philippines

While many steps are common, some important differences arise because of how the educational systems in India and the Philippines are structured. Below are the major differentiating factors.

Criteria / Factor	India	Philippines
Duration of Bachelor’s degrees	Many bachelor’s degrees are 3 years in India (especially arts, commerce, sciences). Engineering, professional degrees (e.g. B.E., B.Tech) are typically 4 years. Medical degrees (MBBS) are longer (5.5 years including internship).	Bachelor’s degrees in the Philippines are often 4‑5 years depending on the field. Medicine, veterinary, etc., have special durations. Also, secondary education includes K‑12 (with the Senior High / Grade 12) which is recent.
Recognition of 3‑year Bachelor’s degrees	Historically, 3‑year bachelor’s degrees were considered a point of concern: many US evaluators did not consider them equivalent to US bachelor’s unless certain criteria are met. However, WES revised its policy: selected 3‑year degrees from Indian institutions that satisfy criteria (good accreditation / institutional standing / division/class) may be granted equivalency to US bachelor’s degree.	Generally, Philippine bachelor’s degrees are of 4‑5 year duration. Because of this, less ambiguity arises in matching with US or Canadian bachelor’s equivalent in duration. Also, because the K‑12 reform (added Senior High), secondary education has shifted to align more closely with US/AU type systems.
Grading systems / scales	India uses various systems: percentage (e.g. out of 100), divisions (First, Second etc.), or more recently CGPA (on 10‑point / 4‑point depending on university). The minimum passing marks also vary. Converting these to US / Canadian / other systems requires knowing the scale details, division, class etc. WES provides guides etc.	The Philippines commonly uses grading scales of 1.00 to 5.00 (with 1.00 being highest, 5.00 failing), or a 4‑point scale in some universities. Passing mark often around 75% or equivalent, though variation exists across institutions. Secondary education uses percent etc.
Documentation & official transcripts	Indian applicants often have to send mark sheets (for each semester/year), degree certificates, transcripts directly from the university; sometimes division/class rather than exact percentage. Sometimes transcripts do not list all course‑level marks in detail. Also translation issues if documents are in regional languages, but most higher education is in English. Accreditation (e.g NAAC grades) matters.	Philippine transcripts usually include grades with grading scale, diploma and transcript; medium of instruction is often English. Documents sometimes need a Certification Authentication & Verification (CAV) from CHED or DepEd. For secondary education, permanent records like DepEd Form 137 (grades 7‑10) or Senior High.
Language of instruction & translation needs	Since many Indian higher education institutions use English, translation is less of an issue for degree level. For secondary documents or older documents, sometimes English plus regional languages, but usually not a major hurdle.	Many Philippine institutions use English as medium of instruction; thus translation less often required. However, some high school / local schools may use a mix of Filipino / Tagalog etc, so document translation may be needed. Also, certified translation policies vary by receiving institution.
Accreditation / recognition	Accreditation bodies such as NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council), UGC, AICTE etc influence evaluation. Indian universities with high NAAC grades are considered more trustworthy. WES policy for 3‑year Bachelors requires certain accreditation levels.	In the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), DepEd, the Senior High reform, and recognition of credentials by CHED matter. Also institutional reputation (public vs private) can impact evaluation. The presence of the CHED “CAV” helps in verifying authenticity.
Typical fees, processing time, additional verification	Indian applicants often pay evaluation fees depending on type (document‑by‑document vs course‑by‑course), courier/shipping, duplicates, translation. Processing times depend on how quickly they can get official transcripts sent from their universities; delays can occur if universities are slow or unwilling to send official sealed transcripts. Also for 3‑year degrees, extra evaluation of institution’s accreditation / class may take time.	Similar in the Philippines: required submission of documents from institution, sealed if needed, sometimes translations, sometimes authentication. Some universities require extra verification (CAV). Processing times can vary. Shipping may be needed. Fees are set by the evaluation agency; may include extra for translation, courier, etc.

Practical Comparisons

Criteria	India	Philippines
Degree Duration	Often 3 years (except engineering, medical)	Typically 4–5 years
Language of Instruction	English (mostly)	English (mostly)
Grading System	Percentage / CGPA / Divisions	1.00–5.00 scale or 4.0 scale
Accreditation Bodies	NAAC, UGC, AICTE	CHED, DepEd
Document Challenges	Delays in sealed transcripts, class system	Generally standardized; CAV sometimes needed
Acceptance of Degrees	Varies for 3-year degrees	Mostly accepted due to longer programs

Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

For Indian Applicants

• Assuming all degrees will be accepted: Double-check whether your three-year degree qualifies for equivalency.
• Missing transcripts: Make sure all academic years are included, and that the documents are sealed and sent directly by the institution if required.
• Ignoring grading explanation: Include class or division information and, if possible, your university’s grading scale.

For Philippine Applicants

• Overlooking CAV requirements: Some agencies require verified documentation through CHED or DepEd.
• Not providing grading scale: Always make sure your transcripts include a legend that explains your university’s grading system.
• Assuming K-12 is universal: If you graduated before the K-12 reform, be ready to explain how your education aligns with current standards.

Tips for a Smooth Credential Evaluation

1. Start Early: Gathering official transcripts, translations, or verification documents can take time.
2. Know What Type of Evaluation You Need: Some universities require course-by-course evaluations, others may accept a document-based report.
3. Use a Trusted Evaluation Agency: WES, ECE, and others are commonly accepted. Be sure your destination institution accepts your chosen agency.
4. Check if Your Degree Meets Duration Requirements: For example, US master’s programs often require a four-year undergraduate degree.
5. Ensure Accuracy: Double-check all names, dates, course titles, and grades for errors before submitting.
6. Include Grading Scales and Legends: This helps evaluators understand how your grades were calculated.

Final Thoughts

Credential evaluation is a crucial step for anyone planning to study or work abroad. For applicants from India and the Philippines, understanding the subtle differences in how educational backgrounds are perceived can make a big difference in the outcome.

Indian applicants should pay close attention to whether their degrees meet the minimum duration and accreditation standards of their destination country. Philippine applicants generally face fewer barriers thanks to longer degree programs and English-medium education, but must still ensure documentation is complete and authenticated if needed.

With careful preparation and awareness of these differences, both Indian and Philippine applicants can navigate the credential evaluation process successfully and take the next step toward their global goals.