CRS Points for Education
Education earns up to 150 core points, and it also multiplies your skill transferability points when combined with strong language or Canadian experience. Foreign credentials only count with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Calculate your score →
Education points table
| Highest education | Single | With spouse | Example total* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary (high school) diploma | 30 | 28 | 314 |
| One-year post-secondary program | 90 | 84 | 399 |
| Two-year post-secondary program | 98 | 91 | 407 |
| Bachelor's degree or 3+ year program | 120 | 112 | 429 |
| Two or more credentials (one 3+ years) | 128 | 119 | 462 |
| Master's or professional degree | 135 | 126 | 469 |
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 150 | 140 | 484 |
*Total CRS score for a single 29-year-old with CLB 9 and 3 years of foreign experience, changing only education. Notice the jump from bachelor's (429) to two credentials (462): +33, because of skill transferability.
Why education matters twice
Education also feeds skill transferability (up to 50 points from education):
| Education group | + CLB 7–8 | + CLB 9 | + 1 yr Canadian work | + 2 yrs Canadian work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-year credential up to bachelor's | 13 | 25 | 13 | 25 |
| Two credentials, master's, professional or PhD | 25 | 50 | 25 | 50 |
Bonus for studying in Canada
A Canadian post-secondary credential earns additional points on top: 15 for a 1–2 year program, 30 for 3+ years or a master's/PhD. To count, you must have studied in Canada for at least 8 months, not mainly in ESL/FSL courses, and not under an award that required you to return home.
ECA tips
- Get an ECA from an IRCC-designated organisation (such as WES) for every foreign credential you want points for. ECAs are valid for 5 years.
- If you have two credentials (for example a bachelor's and a post-graduate diploma), assess both to claim "two or more credentials".
- Enter the education level exactly as your ECA states it; claiming a higher level than the ECA shows can lead to refusal.
FAQ
How many CRS points is a master's degree worth?
A master's degree is worth 135 core points if you are single (126 with a spouse). With CLB 9 in all four abilities it also earns 50 skill transferability points for education and language.
Do I need an ECA for CRS points?
Yes, for any education completed outside Canada. Without an Educational Credential Assessment, foreign education earns no CRS points. Canadian credentials don't need an ECA.
Is a bachelor's degree plus a diploma worth more than a bachelor's?
Yes. Two or more credentials, where one is a program of three or more years, earns 128 points instead of 120 (single) and moves you into the higher skill transferability group.
Source: IRCC, CRS criteria. More factors: age · language · work experience · spouse · French · full CRS score chart