Equivalency

(documented prior learning)

Have you completed a course outside a BC school? Did you earn a certificate that shows substantive learning outside of school? If so, you might qualify for credit for an equivalent course in the BC school system. If you can document your learning (with a report card or transcript, for example) you can ask for an equivalency review. The review will determine whether you're entitled to credits and, if so, how many.

If you went to a school where the classes were taught in a language other than English, you might qualify for credits for equivalent BC language courses.

For more on equivalency, talk to your school counsellor or go to: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/courseinfo/

External Credentials
If you have achieved a high level of performance in areas outside school, you might earn credits for certain extra-curricular or learning activities. A few examples include: computer certification courses, Cadets, some driver education courses, involvement in provincial or national sports teams, and some music and dance courses. You might earn credit for these types of activities if you're active in them now or were in the past.

If you went to a school where the classes were taught is a language other than English, you might qualify for credits for other language learning.

Some external credentials count as "required course" credits while others count for elective credits. For more information go to: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/courseinfo/

Post-Secondary Courses
Most courses you complete at a BC post-secondary institution count toward graduation. The transcript is proof of your achievements. You will need to provide this proof to your school.

In most cases, you can earn dual credits. That means you get credits toward your graduation and also toward a post-secondary credential. To get dual credits, you have to take either:

• a post-secondary course from an institution in the British Columbia Transfer System (for a list of institutions, go to www.bccat.bc.ca) or

• a post-secondary course offered in French in conjunction with Educacentre (www.educacentre.com).