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Credential Evaluation on a Shoestring:
Free Resources for International Educators
by Jason Vorderstrasse
presented at the NAFSA:Association of International Educators Conference
San Diego, California May 31, 2000
The World Wide Web and other electronic resources present great opportunities for international educators to obtain information previously unavailable. This presentation focuses on credential evaluation, but there is also information available for study abroad advisors and foreign student advisors which may be found at the sites listed below. Although it will be some time before the Web will ever replace the Projects for International Education Research series in terms of providing information relevant to credential evaluators, there are electronic resources which provide information on country education systems, grading scales, and/or recognized institutions. This presentation is designed to encourage the use of the Web- far too often, there are questions on Inter-L which could easily be answered with either a PIER book or the Web.
Resources with information on countries on several different continents are presented first in the International section, followed by information organized by continent.
International | Africa | Asia | Australasia | Europe |
North America | South America | Other Resources
INTERNATIONAL Association of Commonwealth Universities http://www.acu.ac.uk/cgi-bin/frameset.pl?ml=membership&sl=membership&select=members ** The ACU provides a membership list on its website, which includes information very
similar to that in the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook. Conference des Ministres de l'Education des Pays Ayant le Franççais en Partage http://www.confemen.org/pays/index.htm * Website provides information on educational systems of Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi,
Canada (Quebec and New Brunswick only), Chad, (Republic of the) Congo, Cote d'Ivoire,
France, Guinea, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal,
Seychelles, Switzerland, and Togo. Site focuses more on statistics than detailed education
system information. In French. Dearing Report Appendix http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/ncihe/app5.htm ** Appendix 5, entitled "Higher Education in other countries", summarizes higher education
in Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the USA.
ECE Newsletter
http://www.ece.org/cgi-bin/country.pl?newsletter ***
Drop-down menu lists information on various countries from articles which appeared in the Educational Credential Evaluators newsletter.
eWENR Archives
http://www.wes.org/ewenr/index.html***
List of articles which appeared in issues of the electronic version of World Education News and Reviews. Inter-L Achive http://www.manitouheights.org/inter-l/ *** Archive of messages on Inter-L. Only available back to March 2000. French language site with information on Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia,
Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Haiti, Hungary, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali,
Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Morocco, Romania, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia and Vietnam.
Primarily lists of schools in the individual countries, including those without websites, (click on
Education) but also includes a few educational system profiles, which are separately listed
below. OSEAS-ADSEC Link Project http://www.oead.ac.at/fulbright/oseas_adsec/ ** List of sites around the world divided by region. Unfortunately, the website lists few sites
related specifically to education systems of the various countries. Does list OSEAS contacts in
countries around the world. Red Quipu Educational System Profiles http://www.oei.org.co/quipu/index.html#Seleccion *** Detailed information on the educational systems of Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba,
Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. In Spanish. UNESCO International Bureau of Education http://www.ibe.unesco.org/Inf_Doc/Nat_reps/natrep.htm *** The IBE Databanks include detailed information on various countries. While the
information is not always up-to-date, there is good worldwide coverage and the Country
Dossiers provide the sort of overviews valued by credential evaluators, including educational
ladders. Although it is not stated on the webpage, cookies must be turned on to search Innodata
or World Data on Education. UNESCO World Higher Education Database http://www.unesco.org/iau/wad.html *** The WHED provides overview information for educational systems around the world.
Section on Europe is the most up-to-date, however. UNESDOC While not focused on educational system information, there are articles on educational
systems of various countries in this database. Universities and Colleges Admissions Service International Qualifications
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/quals/intquals/index.html (2000) ***
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/higher/candq/intquals/index.html (1999) *** The publication used in the United Kingdom by UCAS to evaluate foreign credentials,
provides up-to-date summaries of secondary education systems around the world. Also includes
information on the European Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate. AFRICA Association for the Development of Education in Africa Statistical Profile of Education in
sub-Saharan Africa http://www.bellanet.org/partners/adea/spessa99/en_install.html ** Downloadable database of statistical and other information on education in sub-Saharan
countries. Mauritius http://ncb.intnet.mu/meduhrd.htm ** Ministry of Education and Scientific Research page includes white paper on primary and
secondary education and statistics. http://www.mu.refer.org/accueil/edu/commun.htm ** Good overview of the educational system in French. Senegal http://www.primature.sn/men/ * Ministry of Education site with some information on the educational system. In French. South Africa http://internet.ggu.edu/~jvorderstrass/sa-educ.htm ** Designed for credential evaluators, this posting of a NAFSA presentation has good
information but has not been updated in two years. Togo http://www.refer.fr/togo_ct/edu/scolaire.htm ** While six years out of date, provides a good overview of the Togo educational system. In
French. ASIA SEAMEO Education System Profiles http://www.seameo.org/members/index.htm *** Education system profiles of all member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of
Education Organisation. China http://www.cscse.edu.cn/laihua/index.html * Designed for students who wish to study in China, provides some information on the
Chinese educational system. Links site with connections to many Chinese colleges and universities, with some
statistical information. Most information only in Chinese. http://www.oecd.org/publications/e-book/8901011e.pdf * OECD publication "Current Issues in Chinese Education" from January 2001. Entire book is online, but mainly focuses on policy issues. Hong Kong http://www.info.gov.hk/emb/eng/prog_high/index.html ** The Education and Manpower Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong has developed
this page with information on education at all levels. India http://www.education.nic.in/htmlweb/main.htm ** Ministry of Education page provides information on all levels of Indian education, but
unfortunately does not provide a list of tertiary institutions. Indonesia http://www.pdk.go.id/SysEducation/SysEducationIndex.html ** Overview of the educational system from the Ministry of National Education. http://www.indotourism.com/Indonesia/Universities.htm * List of state universities in Indonesia. Israel http://212.143.159.244/studyusa/education.html *** Created by the United States-Israel Education Foundation, this Education in Israel page
provides a good overview of education in the country and a list of recognized institutions. Japan http://www.aiej.or.jp/nr/nre1_1_top.html ** While lacking an overview of the Japanese educational system, the site does provide a
complete list of Japanese colleges and universities with programs offered.
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/JapanCaseStudy/**
US Department Case Study on the education system of Japan. Very broad, but does contain information on different levels of education. Jordan http://www.moe.gov.jo/edu_index.htm *** Detailed information on Jordanian education. Malaysia http://www.moe.gov.my/frmsis.htm ** Online version of Education in Malaysia published by Ministry of Education. Includes
educational ladder. http://www.studymalaysia.com/jps/role.html ** Department of Private Education includes a list of most recognized private institutions. Nepal http://www.panasia.org.sg/nepalnet/eduframe.htm *** Links to several articles on education in Nepal. Philippines http://internet.ggu.edu/~jvorderstrass/philhome.htm *** Geared for international credential evaluators, the site includes a complete list of all
Philippine tertiary institutions, information on the different educational agencies, and extensive
links to Philippine education websites. Singapore http://www.detya.gov.au/noosr/cep/singapore/index.htm ** The Singapore NOOSR Country Education Profile is available online for free. While
somewhat out of date, it is a publication geared towards credential evaluators. http://www1.moe.edu.sg/educatio.htm ** Ministry of Education site with brief overview of educational system. South Korea http://203.246.116.99/program/ *** Korea Council for College Education gives list of tertiary institutions and information
about their programs. In Korean. http://www.moe.go.kr/english/english.html ** Ministry of Education website with information on the education system and links to
schools. http://www.moe.go.kr/eng_26/engmoebbs/view0010.htm ** Ministry of Education simple overview of Korean educational system. Taiwan http://www.edu.tw:81/english/ *** The Republic of China's Ministry of Education provides detailed information in English
on the education system and Taiwan's higher education institutions. http://www.tw.org/education/eedu.html *** Another page on education in the Republic of China. http://ait.org.tw/ait/FSE/notes.htm ** Notes on Taiwan's Education System by the American Institute in Taiwan. Uzbekistan http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas/tashkent.html ** OSEAS page with information on Uzbek education system- scroll down to find it. AUSTRALASIA Australia http://aei.deetya.gov.au/students/education/education.htm ** Although designed for students wishing to study in Australia, still provides good overview
of the educational system. New Zealand http://www.nzeil.co.nz/studdest.htm ** Geared for international students, includes summary information on types of educational
institutions and an educational ladder. EUROPE CEPES Access to Higher Education http://access.cepes.ro/cgi-bin/dbOleg.plx *** Provides information on required qualifications to access higher education institutions
and education systems in many European countries. EURYDICE Education Information Detailed information on European education systems. SOCRATES Guides to Higher Education Systems http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/socrates/erasmus/guide/default.html *** Overviews of the education systems of several European countries. All overviews are
from 1998. Albania http://www.skvc.lt/Alb/Enicalb.htm ** Albania's ENIC created this page about the country's educational system. Armenia http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas/armedu.html ** Brief overview of the educational system. Austria http://www.bmwf.gv.at/3uniwes/leitunistg/hb_unistg.pdf ** Handbook on Austrian universities. (In German.) Azerbaijan Ministry of Education site includes information on different levels of education in the
country. Belarus http://www.nihe.unibel.by/eng/index.html *** Information on Belarus' education system and list of higher education institutions. Belgium http://www.cfwb.be/infosup/fram001.htm ** Information (in French) on the French-language education system. http://www.cfwb.be/infosup/pg011.htm * Information (in French) on the French-language education system in Belgium. Bulgaria http://www.minedu.government.bg/institut.htm *** Information on secondary and tertiary education, including a list of higher education
institutions. Cyprus http://www.moec.gov.cy/Educational%20System%20English.htm *** Good Ministry of Education site. Czech Republic http://www.csvs.cz/_en/databases/he_in_cr/he_in_cr.rtf *** Detailed information on all higher education institutions in the Czech Republic. Estonia http://www.euedu.ee/socrates/english/naric/ *** Estonia's NARIC has put together a very good webpage, with information on different
levels of education and a list of higher education institutions. http://www.edu.fi/english/index.html *** Detailed information on the levels of education in Finland, plus an educational ladder. France http://www.education.gouv.fr/syst/default.htm *** Information and statistics on the French education system, but only in French. http://www.cies.fr/uk/comprendre/home.htm ** English language information on higher education in France, primarily aimed at students
wishing to study in the country. Georgia http://www.cicic.ca/reference/georgia.ed.pdf ** Information on qualifications awarded, plus an educational ladder. Germany http://www.higher-education-compass.hrk.de/ *** Detailed information on all recognized higher education institutions.
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/GermanCaseStudy/**
US Department of Education overview of the German education system. Hungary http://www.oki.hu/eduhun97/EduHunC.html ** Although now three years old, provides a summary of the educational system of Hungary. http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas/HUED.html *** OSEAS website with information geared towards credential evaluators. Iceland http://brunnur.stjr.is/interpro/mrn/mrn-eng.nsf/Files/skolakerfi_enska/$file/skolakerfi_enska.pdf
*** Detailed information on the Icelandic educational system. http://www.hi.is/~arnif/skrifstofa/higher.html ** Information on higher education in Iceland. Geared towards students looking to study in Iceland, includes list of higher education
institutions. Latvia http://www.latnet.lv/EDSYS/ *** Latvian ENIC's paper on the country's educational system, including a list of tertiary
institutions. Lithuania http://www.skvc.lt/LTU/System.htm *** Overview of the educational system provided by the Lithuanian ENIC. Netherlands http://www.minocw.nl/english/edusyst/ *** Overview of all levels of the Dutch education system. http://www.nuffic.nl:3500/service/factsh/henl170999.pdf *** Information on credentials and admission requirements for Dutch higher education. http://www.nuffic.nl/gateway/dutch_he.html *** More information on Dutch higher education. Norway Good information, but must click on "NAIC" and then on "English" to find it. http://www.uib.no/siu/ur/bros-eng.htm ** Information on higher education from 1997. Poland http://www.skvc.lt/PL/System.htm *** Details on various levels of the Polish educational system. Romania http://www.skvc.lt/Ro/Enicro.htm *** Romania ENIC page with information on all levels of education. Russia http://www.informika.ru/eng/ *** Links to information on the Russian educational system and complete list of universities. Slovakia http://www.skvc.lt/Sk/Enicsk.htm *** ENIC page with information on all levels of educational system. Slovenia http://www.skvc.lt/Slo/Enicslo.htm *** ENIC page on all levels of the Slovenian educational system. Sweden http://www.skolverket.se/b/faktablad/english/bbc1_b.html ** Detailed information on the primary and secondary levels of education, including
curricula. Switzerland http://edkwww.unibe.ch/e/eurydice/ *** Overview of Swiss educational system. http://szfhwww.unibe.ch/SZFH/engl/szfh.html ** Central Office of Swiss Universities website with articles on Swiss education. United Kingdom http://www.ucas.ac.uk/quals/ukquals/index.html (2000) *** http://www.ucas.ac.uk/higher/candq/ukquals/index.html (1999) *** A must-have for evaluators of British credentials. Includes detailed information on the
Scottish educational system and GNVQs. http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/ukinfo/ *** List of all higher and further education institutions, as well as useful links. http://www.dfee.gov.uk/etb/index.htm ** Good overview of UK's educational system. NORTH AMERICA Barbados http://www.britishcouncil.org/caribbean/education/edlstbar.htm ** The British Council publishes a list of all high schools and tertiary institutions, including those without websites. Canada http://www.aucc.ca/en/acuindex.html *** The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada publishes a Directory of Higher
Education Institutions and guide to Canadian higher education on its website. http://www.cicic.ca/postsec/vol1.overview.en.stm ** Information on postsecondary education in Canada, from 1996-97. Haiti http://www.refer.fr/haiti_ct/edu/edu.htm *** Information on the Haitian educational system in French. Jamaica http://www.britishcouncil.org/caribbean/education/edlstjam.htm ** The British Council has a list of all high schools and tertiary institutions, including those without websites. Mexico http://www.utexas.edu/international/mexico/ *** Kitty Villa's site on Mexico includes links to a complete list of higher education
institutions, sample credentials and other information geared towards credential evaluators. http://www.sep.gob.mx/Perfil_Ingles/index_english.htm *** Excellent profile of the Mexican educational system. Saint Kitts and Nevis The Education in Saint Kitts and Nevis website includes text of major education laws and
summaries of all tertiary institutions in the country. Geared towards international credential
evaluators. SOUTH AMERICA Brazil http://www.crl.com/~brazil/educ.htm * Overview of the educational system. Chile Click on "Sistema Educacional" for information. In Spanish. Guyana http://www.sdnp.org.gy/minedu/ * List of schools, but not much else. Peru http://www.minedu.gob.pe/web/foros/Website/dineip/home.asp ** Information on different levels of Peruvian education, in Spanish. Trinidad and Tobago http://www.britishcouncil.org/caribbean/education/edlsttri.htm ** The British Council has a list of all secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago, with their addresses. OTHER RESOURCES alt.education.distance USENET newsgroup ** This USENET newsgroup focuses on distance education and occasionally includes
information on various overseas non-traditional institutions. The archive is available at
http://www.deja.com/home_ps.shtml. As of February 2001, however, many newsgroup regulars are now posting at DegreeInfo- see below. Babelfish http://babel.altavista.com/ *** Translation program provided on AltaVista website. Includes only European languages. DegreeInfo Distance education webboard, with search function. Occasionally includes discussions of overseas distance education programs. ERIC abstracts database Designed more educational researchers, the ERIC database provides abstracts on
articles and books on education topics. The complete texts of the articles and books are not
available online, however. LEXIS-NEXIS http://www.lexis-nexis.com *** Although a paid service, this is generally free to members of institutions who have law
schools. In addition to searchable statutory databases, LEXIS-NEXIS also includes newspaper
archives from around the world. Online newspapers Many leading newspapers around the world are now online, and some have searchable
archives. This is particularly helpful for finding information on recent developments to a
country's educational system. Westlaw Like LEXIS-NEXIS, this is a paid service, but it also has the extensive newspaper archive
and international statutory databases.
visitors since January 8, 2001.