If you want to attend a college or university in the U.S. or Canada, you may be able to transfer some credits for courses you have already taken. The decision to accept credits earned abroad varies from school to school, but here are some of the factors many universities consider:

• Is the institution you attended recognized by your country’s ministry of education?
• Are the courses you have taken similar to those offered by the institution you would like to attend?
• Do the courses you have taken meet the requirements for the degree and major you would like to transfer into?

Many academic institutions may allow you to transfer credits but limit how many foreign credits they accept. You should contact the admissions office of the institution you want to attend to learn their policy.

If the school does accept foreign credits, you will likely be asked to provide some or all of the following documents:

• Official academic transcripts from the institution you attended
• A formal English translation of your transcripts
• A credential evaluation report
• Official syllabi or catalogs that describe the courses you have taken

The process of transferring credits can be a long one and you may not know which credits, if any, have been accepted until your studies begin. However, if your credits are accepted, you can save both time and money.

If you are an international student and want to learn more about studying in the U.S., read Education USA’s series Your Five Steps to U.S. Study.