The North American Higher Education system
The North American university system is known for its flexibility and offers a wide variety of paths to the degree and career that you seek. We give you comprehensive end-to-end support through the complex admission process at Canadian and US universities. Contact our expert advisors to start your university journey.
The academic year
In the USA and Canada, the academic year generally lasts nine months, and the majority of universities use a 'semester' system which divides the year into two equal periods. See a typical academic calendar on the right.
There are two intakes a year for the majority of degree programs at university in America. You can usually start a degree at the start of the Fall semester (late August) or at the start of the Spring semester (January).
Credit
During each semester, you will take a variety of courses, each of which is awarded a number of 'credits.' A credit is a unit of study. Most courses carry 3 credits, although varying amount of credit can be awarded for lectures, independent project work, laboratory time and internships. Universities usually expect students to complete:
- 120-130 credit hours for an undergraduate degree
- 30-64 credit hours for a Master's degree
As an international student in the USA, you are required to maintain a full course load of at least 12 credits per semester in order to maintain your visa status.
Length of a degree program
At universities in the USA and Canada the duration of your program is determined by the time you take to earn enough credits to complete your degree. Most undergraduate programs are designed so you can earn enough credits to graduate with a bachelor's degree in 4 academic years of full-time study. Graduate programs are generally structured to allow you to earn a master's degree in 2 academic years of full-time university study.
If you need to improve your English for degree study, you will take an ESL program, Foundation program or Pre-Master's program before moving into full-time degree study. This may take between 1 and 4 semesters.
Assessment and grading
At Canadian and US universities, your academic performance will be continually assessed by your teachers. They will use a variety of methods including essays, written assignments, presentations, laboratory or studio work, class attendance and class participation. You will also normally take examinations at the end of each semester. At the end of each semester, your teachers will assign a letter grade for each course that you have taken. Typically, letter grades are assigned as follows:
A = excellent, the highest grade
B = above average
C = average
D = the minimum passing grade
F = fail
Academic good standing and progression
At North American universities a grade point average, or GPA, is calculated for each student, based on the following scale:
A = 4.00
B = 3.00
C = 2.00
D = 1.00
F = 0.00 (Fail)
At most universities, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to be considered in academic good standing and continue to the next year of your degree program. A cumulative grade point average is the GPA for all courses taken throughout the degree program.
North American GPA equivalents in other countries
How does the academic grading system in your country compare to GPA scores in the USA and Canada?
| Country | GPA 2.0 | GPA 2.5 | GPA 2.75 | GPA 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 46% | 55% | 60% | 65% |
| China | 70% | 75% | 78% | 80% |
| France | 10 | 11 | 11.6 | 12 |
| Georgia | 3 | 3-4 | 3-4 | 4 |
| Ghana | 3/C | 2/B | 2/B | 2/B+ |
| Hong Kong | 50% | 57% | 60% | 65% |
| India | 46% | 55% | 60% | 65% |
| Indonesia | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Iran | 12 | 13 | 13.8 | 14 |
| Japan | 3 | 3-4 | 3-4 | 4 |
| Jordan | 50% | 60% | 66% | 70% |
| Kazakhstan | 3 | 3-4 | 3-4 | 4 |
| Korea | 2.0 - 70% | 2.5 - 75% | 2.5 - 78% | 3.0 - 80% |
| Macau | 60% | 65% | 68% | 70% |
| Mexico | 6.0 - 60% | 7.0 - 70% | 7.3 - 76% | 8.0 - 80% |
| Nigeria | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Pakistan | 46% | 55% | 60% | 65% |
| Qatar | 3 | 3-4 | 3-4 | 4 |
| Russia | 3 | 3-4 | 3-4 | 4 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 - 70% | 3 - 75% | 3 - 78% | 4 - 80% |
| Spain | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 7 |
| Taiwan | 60% | 65% | 68% | 70% |
| Thailand | 2 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 3 |
| Turkey | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| UAE | 70% | 75% | 78% | 80% |
| Ukraine | 3 | 3-4 | 3-4 | 4 |
| Venezuela | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
| Vietnam | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 7 |
University teaching and learning styles
You may find that the style of teaching and learning in the US and Canada is different from that in your home country. Class lectures are an important part of learning at North American universities, but you can also expect a high level of responsibility for your own studies. You will often be expected to read, and sometimes write about, the subjects that are covered in class.
In American universities, teachers and students sometimes enjoy a much more informal relationship than in other countries. Some teachers prefer to be called 'Professor' or 'Doctor,' while others will not mind being called by their first names. Many teachers will meet with students outside of class time to discuss projects or review topics covered in class.
In some countries, it is not acceptable for students to express their opinions to their teachers. In North America, where the learning process stresses analysis and critical thinking, the exchange of ideas is encouraged. You may find that students often respectfully challenge teachers in class, and teachers view such challenges as signs of students' intellectual prowess.
