How do British qualifications translate?

[Laura+Tom 2]

Even if they know it's a BSc? Don't they not have BSc's in the US?

They do, but they just abbreviate it to 'BS' (no small 'c')

[Kirsten UK 2]

Don't forget the Honours, that takes it to a whole new level

A British Bsc (Hons) is not comparable to an American BS in terms of level. A reputable translation service will give you a document that shows your British qualification next to the appropriate American qualification by assessing various different things.

Its really hard, once I have this document, I then have to apply to the society that governs my field for them to then charge me hundreds more to sit thier exams, before I can pay them hundreds more to be registered!!

Have you looked into whether or not you are able to do the same job over there otherwise it may be a waste of money? My Aunt moved to NY many years ago and wasn't allowed to work as a teacher with British qualifications, she spent her time there getting a US BS in English!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Its really hard, once I have this document, I then have to apply to the society that governs my field

You're dying for someone to ask, so I'll oblige: what is your field, Kirsten?

[Kirsten UK 2]

I'm using this company to translate my qualifications:

www.ece.org

It asks for all of your school history, wnats faxed certificates, transcripts and professional society documents (if any). I will be sending mine on Monday.

I have read somewhere though that in a resume you don't usually include school qualifications if you're over 25? I have no idea if this is correct though.

Its really hard, once I have this document, I then have to apply to the society that governs my field

You're dying for someone to ask, so I'll oblige: what is your field, Kirsten?

Actually i'm not!

I work in healthcare, we're all regulated as i'm sure you're aware. Its nothing fancy

[Laura+Tom 2]

Don't forget the Honours, that takes it to a whole new level

A British Bsc (Hons) is not comparable to an American BS in terms of level. A reputable translation service will give you a document that shows your British qualification next to the appropriate American qualification by assessing various different things.

Its really hard, once I have this document, I then have to apply to the society that governs my field for them to then charge me hundreds more to sit thier exams, before I can pay them hundreds more to be registered!!

Have you looked into whether or not you are able to do the same job over there otherwise it may be a waste of money? My Aunt moved to NY many years ago and wasn't allowed to work as a teacher with British qualifications, she spent her time there getting a US BS in English!

My degree is in Forensic Science and I really want to get into it (I don't do it at the moment) so it's probably better waiting to see what sort of jobs there are first before I get anything translated. I may have to be a US citizen for some jobs anyway.

Which companies have you looked at as I know there are various ones about?

EDIT: just saw the one you mentioned above.

Edited February 7, 2009 by Laura+Tom

[Kirsten UK 2]

Don't forget the Honours, that takes it to a whole new level

A British Bsc (Hons) is not comparable to an American BS in terms of level. A reputable translation service will give you a document that shows your British qualification next to the appropriate American qualification by assessing various different things.

Its really hard, once I have this document, I then have to apply to the society that governs my field for them to then charge me hundreds more to sit thier exams, before I can pay them hundreds more to be registered!!

Have you looked into whether or not you are able to do the same job over there otherwise it may be a waste of money? My Aunt moved to NY many years ago and wasn't allowed to work as a teacher with British qualifications, she spent her time there getting a US BS in English!

My degree is in Forensic Science and I really want to get into it (I don't do it at the moment) so it's probably better waiting to see what sort of jobs there are first before I get anything translated. I may have to be a US citizen for some jobs anyway.

Which companies have you looked at as I know there are various ones about?

EDIT: just saw the one you mentioned above.

Thats a coincidence! My aunt moved to NY as her then husband is a Forensic Scientist and worked for the government I think out there for 5 years. I wish I was still in touch with him as I could have possible given you some useful advice, darn!

[Laura+Tom 2]

Thanks for the info.

I just found this site whilst searching http://www.naces.org/

It's an association of private foreign educational credential evaluation services. There's 19 different companies on there including the one you are using.

[Kirsten UK 2]

Oh good, I was a bit worried they might be rubbish but it seems they (hopefully) are reputable. Don't be surprised if some of the companies want sealed transcripts from your universities and such, the few I looked at all did except the one i'm going for now (I hope, although there is a disclaimer they may ask for it later on).

[Laura+Tom 2]

Oh good, I was a bit worried they might be rubbish but it seems they (hopefully) are reputable. Don't be surprised if some of the companies want sealed transcripts from your universities and such, the few I looked at all did except the one i'm going for now (I hope, although there is a disclaimer they may ask for it later on).

I hope they don't, no doubt the university would charge for that! I have the transcripts here plus my certificates.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

US info that might help. This is for most people. I'm aware there are people that finish younger because they're brilliant and get ahead with summer courses, but this is the usual:

High School diploma or High School graduate takes 12 years of schooling and you're generally 18 years old.

You can drop out freely at age 16 (10th grade), but you don't get a diploma and aren't a graduate.

In high school the super smart kids normally take honors or Advanced Placement level courses which are harder and more advanced.

You graduate "with honors" based on your grade average, not how many honors courses you took. Maybe the top 5-10 % of a graduating class would be with honors.

Tech School or vocational school: After high school. Age 18. Maybe a year or two more of study in a specific vocation like computers, criminal justice, medical technician, nursing skills, drafting. Normally for people that want to learn a vocation but aren't going to University.

College/University (the names are basically interchangeable): After high school. Age 18. Takes 4 years to complete the requirements.

You choose a major like Teaching, Engineering, Accounting, Marketing, English, German, French, Biology, Chemistry, Nuclear Physics.

You take many courses like literature, psychology, history, government, sociology, science plus a couple of years worth of advancing courses in your major. A Business major in Information Technology might have taken courses in chemistry, art history, British literature, a foreign language, health education, philosphy. The last 2 of the 4 years are more in the area of the major with maybe 7-8 courses just in that field (Information Technology for example). Some people get a double major but it takes longer because you have to take the 7-8 courses specific to the second major.

College or University degree:

Bachelor of Science in (major) or Bachelor of Arts in (major) BS or BA

A degree with Honors would require a certain number of honors level courses that are harder and the average uni student doesn't take. You're about 22-23 years old when you finish college/university.

Master's degree: Normally takes two more years of study past the BS or BA degree. You would describe yourself as being in "graduate school" rather than saying I'm in college. When you finish that, you would be about 24 years old if you went straight through and would have been in school for 18 years straight. Some go to work and go back for the Master's later so the ages in graduate school are varied.

Master's degree

[Big Papa Zone 93]

What would you say was a decent final GPA for a student going to college aged 33, having had no education at all after having left school at age 16 with ####### all, Nich?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

What would you say was a decent final GPA for a student going to college aged 33, having had no education at all after having left school at age 16 with ####### all, Nich?

I'd say a 3.4 because it's the old ones coming back who appreciate the opportuniity, aren't spending Daddy's money, have matured enough to realize college isn't one big fraternity booze party, have a goal they want to achieve, and actually STUDY.

I didn't fit that category. My first semester at the University of Texas I made a 1.4, slept through all my 8:00 classes, sold all my books midway through the term to get some cash without telling my Dad about a huge phone bill I ran up, easily talked my math teacher into passing me because I was cute, and in general had a helluva good time.

Later when I went to grad school and was paying my own way to get some extra certification, I made a 4.0 (all As). Amazing!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

I'd say a 3.4 3.2

Yeah, that's what I thought.

[Ian + Anne 0]

I wonder what mine would be in the US ? Hmmm !

I was a student in the early 80's back in the UK and did all my exams under the City & Guilds Institute (maths, englishs, catering, sciences, art, woodwork, metal work, history, and religion).

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I believe A-Levels are assesed similar to what US schools refer to as "advanced placement" tests in American high schools, which are tests you take as a high school student that can give you college credit. I took AP tests and entered college with about a semesters worth of credit, though I know of people who had more.

I don't think the UK BS/BA=US Masters since Masters degrees are 2 year courses in the US compared to typically one year course in the UK.