CRS Points for Education
Education gives up to 150 points (140 with a spouse). Foreign credentials must be assessed with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). A bachelor's degree earns 120 points for a single applicant; two credentials (one of three years or more) earn 128.
CRS Points for Education: key facts
- Bachelor's degree (3+ years)
- 120 (single) / 112 (with spouse)
- Two or more credentials
- 128 (single) / 119 (with spouse)
- Master's or professional degree
- 135 (single) / 126 (with spouse)
- PhD (maximum)
- 150 (single) / 140 (with spouse)
- Foreign credentials
- Need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to count
Updated
| Level of education | Single | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| Less than secondary school (high school) | 0 | 0 |
| Secondary diploma (high school graduation) | 30 | 28 |
| One-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 90 | 84 |
| Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 98 | 91 |
| Bachelor's degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute | 120 | 112 |
| Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years | 128 | 119 |
| Master's degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy) | 135 | 126 |
| Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) | 150 | 140 |
What this means for your score
- "Two or more credentials" is a common way to gain points: for example, a one-year Canadian post-graduate certificate on top of a bachelor's degree.
- Education also earns up to 50 more points through skill transferability when combined with strong language scores or Canadian work experience.
Worked examples
Same profile with different education: a single applicant aged 29, CLB 9 in all four English abilities, 3 years of foreign work experience and no Canadian experience. Education also changes skill-transferability points, which is why the total moves more than the education points alone.
| Profile | Education points | Total CRS |
|---|---|---|
| High school | 30 | 314 |
| Two-year diploma | 98 | 407 |
| Bachelor's degree | 120 | 429 |
| Bachelor's + one-year certificate | 128 | 462 |
| Master's degree | 135 | 469 |
Calculated with this site's scoring engine using IRCC's current tables. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Education points FAQ
Do I need an ECA to get education points?
For education completed outside Canada, yes: you need an Educational Credential Assessment from a designated organization (such as WES or IQAS) to claim the points. Canadian credentials do not need an ECA.
How do I qualify for "two or more credentials"?
You need at least two completed certificates, diplomas or degrees, and one of them must be for a program of three years or longer — for example a bachelor's degree plus a one-year post-graduate certificate.
Does studying in Canada give extra points?
Yes. On top of the education points, a Canadian post-secondary credential adds 15 points (one- or two-year program) or 30 points (three years or longer) under additional points.
Other CRS factors
- CRS Points for Age
- CRS Points for Language (CLB)
- CRS Points for Canadian Work Experience
- CRS Points for Spouse or Common-Law Partner
- CRS Skill Transferability Points
- CRS Additional Points
Source: IRCC CRS criteria, verified 2026-10-03.