Qualifications UK to US

[QueenOfBlades 224]

My fiance and I are wondering, as we're considering the prospect of me going to college in the US at some point in the future - do UK GCSE's count as a high school diploma? I have 8 A-C GCSE's and he's wondering if that counts as a high school diploma? Or if not, what do Brits do with regard to education/applying for work when they're in the US? (Wiki isn't much help)

Thanks xx

[LeftCoastLady 441]

My fiance and I are wondering, as we're considering the prospect of me going to college in the US at some point in the future - do UK GCSE's count as a high school diploma? I have 8 A-C GCSE's and he's wondering if that counts as a high school diploma? Or if not, what do Brits do with regard to education/applying for work when they're in the US? (Wiki isn't much help)

Thanks xx

Short answer: It varies.

If there's a specific college/university you have in mind, review their admission requirements or contact their admissions office.

On work qualifications, that can vary as well. Just be sure to read the job details. Depending on the position, it can be more related to your actual work experiences rather than dependent on education.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Well, for example, about 90% of jobs say high school diploma. Or the college I was looking at also says high school diploma. Do my GCSEs count as a high school diploma, or if they don't, what do people usually do when emigrating to the US? Do they have to do secondary school all over again in the US? :S

[xjoseyx 19]

My job accepted my GCSE certifcates as my high school diploma.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Well, for example, about 90% of jobs say high school diploma. Or the college I was looking at also says high school diploma. Do my GCSEs count as a high school diploma, or if they don't, what do people usually do when emigrating to the US? Do they have to do secondary school all over again in the US? :S

Have you contacted the college to see what they require? Each college/university can have varying rules, so what one counts may not be counted at another. There isn't a blanket system and many have different ways of measuring international students' backgrounds.

Once you arrive in the U.S. and file for AOS, make the next item to meet with an employment agency in your area so you can understand how to "translate" your experiences to the U.S. market.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Thanks both, I'll do that and will most likely do the GED to back it up as well.

[PearlyLemons 13]

You will probably need to go through an agency that is able to evaluate your GCSEs and equate them to the U.S equivalents - I plan on doing this. I have a feeling that GCSEs are on par with graduating from High school.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

You will probably need to go through an agency that is able to evaluate your GCSEs and equate them to the U.S equivalents - I plan on doing this. I have a feeling that GCSEs are on par with graduating from High school.

Do you have an idea for what sort of agency? Would it just be any employment agency like we get here or would it be through a college? My fiance has never had to deal with this kind of thing so he really has no idea.

[Azsara 110]

Hmm I was wondering this too. Wonder what my A-levels are worth in the states...if anything,

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hmm I was wondering this too. Wonder what my A-levels are worth in the states...if anything,

I still don't have my head around GCSEs and A levels completely after years of discussing it but I can give you my knowledge of the US system, but it's mostly slanted toward the Texas system since that is my experience.

First to know is every State sets up their own education system and requirements. So to graduate in Massachusetts or Mississippi could be very different. The federal government could have mandates all states must follow like educating the handicapped, civil rights, etc.

Most high schools are designed through 18 years old to graduate. (Going to summer school could get you through classes faster to allow you to graduate younger.) Going through age 16 would be mandatory. If you left school at age 16 before meeting the graduation requirements, you would be called a "drop out". That is not looked on favorably as far as getting a job. There is an exam a drop out can take called the GED and it is a way to show you passed a test that would allow you to be on a par with one who stayed in school to graduate.

High School graduation requirements seem to require a broader education rather than choosing specific A-level focus. Example 4 years of English, 4 years of math, 4 years of science, 4 years social studies (world history, US history, economics, geography), 2 years foreign language, physical education, speech, and fine arts plus a certain number of electives. Brainy students would take honors or AP level designated classes or take chemistry at the local college and get dual high school and college credit. Not so brainy might take two years to complete Algebra, but that counts as two years of math. And there are minimum high school standards where somebody might get a diploma with less courses. I think in some places it would be marked "minimum" or "recommended".

College and University generally mean the same thing in the US. You go to college or university for roughly four years and graduate with a degree. Again, there will be requirements for a more well rounded education, not just your major subject. An engineer will have to take English, history, physical education, psychology or sociology, etc and not just engineering courses.

There are all kinds of exceptions to the above but it's the concept of the general population you will be up against who has a high school diploma or a college/university degree.

In my mind, GCSEs and A-levels are both like high school diplomas, one being "minimum" and the other being "recommended" or honors. But what do I know?

[cathy2904 97]

Do you have an idea for what sort of agency? Would it just be any employment agency like we get here or would it be through a college? My fiance has never had to deal with this kind of thing so he really has no idea.

Hmm I was wondering this too. Wonder what my A-levels are worth in the states...if anything,

I believe this is the type of agency referred to:

http://www.jsilny.com/html/foreign.htm

https://www.ece.org/

http://www.foreigntranscripts.com/

There are plenty of others. Try Googling 'Foreign Credentials'.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Thanks for the replies Nick and Cathy.. Very helpful, I didn't even know those type of agencies existed.

[PearlyLemons 13]

WES is meant to be good too.

[Justine+David 218]

We used WES for David's university degree and they were great.