News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – A study released today shows that almost 20 per cent of new students at Maritime universities receive credit for courses completed at another university or college, and more than half of these students transfer into their second year of university or higher.

The report by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission presents the first benchmarks on credit transfer in the region's universities.

“Making it easier for students to transfer credits for courses taken elsewhere may help save time and money for students, governments and the system as a whole,” said commission chief executive officer Mireille Duguay. “By recognizing courses taken at other institutions, students do not have to repeat material they have already studied elsewhere.”

Between 2006 and 2009, students entering Maritime universities transferred from more than 200 Canadian universities and colleges, and from post-secondary education institutions in more than 70 different countries.

“Maritime universities are collaborating with other post-secondary institutions within and outside the region to develop transfer agreements which allow students to move more easily from one institution to another,” said Duguay. “For example, under such agreements, students can transfer up to two years of college credits towards a university degree. They allow college diploma graduates to complete a degree with only an additional two to three years of study.”

The study revealed that a quarter of students transferring from colleges enter into their third year of study at Maritime universities.

The study looked at university students who received credits for courses taken at another post-secondary institution prior to enrolling. The commission intends to explore other types of credit transfer in future studies.

The report, Portable Learning: University Students Granted Credit for Prior Post-Secondary Education, establishes benchmarks for credit transfer in Maritime universities, which will allow the commission to track changes over time to the number of transfer students and credits granted.

The report and related detailed data tables are available on the commission’s website.

The Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission was established in 1974 to assist institutions and governments in enhancing the post-secondary learning environment. The commission's 20 members are drawn from the Maritime provinces, and represent higher education institutions, provincial governments and the general public. The commission's primary mission is to improve and maintain the best possible service to students as life-long learners.