World Education Services (WES)

World Education Services: international credential evaluation for global mobility

World Education Services (WES) is a social enterprise dedicated to the evaluation of international academic credentials. Its main activity consists of issuing verified reports that translate the educational achievements of individuals trained outside the United States and Canada into a format understandable to licensing bodies, academic institutions, and employers. The organization presents itself as a leading provider of these services in North America and states that it has more than 50 years of experience.

Credential evaluation services

WES offers different types of credential evaluations, with options and fees that applicants can review according to their needs. The reports are designed to be accepted by professional associations, universities, and companies. Among the available tools are the GPA calculation (WES iGPA Calculator®) and degree equivalency for the United States and Canada. The process requires the applicant and their institution of origin to submit a series of documents, the list of which is detailed on the site.

Who it works for

The company serves several audiences. For individuals—immigrants, refugees, and international students—the goal is for their education to be recognized where they reside. For academic institutions, WES offers an integrated process with the Slate platform to manage international applications. Consultants and immigration agents use its standardized evaluations, which are accepted by authorities such as IRCC in Canada and USCIS in the United States. Employers turn to WES to identify international talent, and licensing bodies and professional associations use it to make licensing decisions with detailed information.

Social impact and programs

WES defines itself as a social enterprise and works at the intersection of education, workforce development, policy advocacy, research, and philanthropy. It designs and supports programs that seek the economic inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. The WES Mariam Assefa Fund, created in the organization's first five years, has committed $37 million in grants and impact investments. The company also makes mission-aligned investments and participates in public policy development in the United States and Canada to promote the integration of global talent.

Reach and credentials

According to the organization's own data, WES has issued more than 4 million evaluations, maintains knowledge of institutions in 203 countries and territories, and has relationships with more than 60,000 educational institutions worldwide. Its process is used by academic institutions in more than 200 countries. The company is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).

Resources and publications

WES publishes World Education News & Reviews (WENR), a magazine specializing in international education, as well as research, reports, and policy analysis. It also maintains a resource library with guides on funding, strategies for employers and welcoming communities, and tools for job seekers in the United States. Its blog offers advice on credentials and updates on the application process.