Graduation Program

External Credentials (Courses)

An External Course is an organized set of learning activities that is developed or offered outside the British Columbia School System. Students may earn credit for successfully completing an External Course approved by the Ministry. All students who have successfully completed a Ministry approved External Credential are entitled to receive credit towards secondary school graduation.

Some External Credentials meet Foundation Studies while others meet Selected Studies requirements.

Students who reach high standards of excellence in approved educational activities are entitled to credit towards graduation.

The date an External Credential was earned can be earlier than the date when the credit is reported to the Ministry (e.g., a credential earned at age 14 or 15 qualifies for Grade 11 or 12 credit).

An External Credential must be assigned either a letter grade and percentage or "Transfer Standing" (TS).

The table of new external credentials, including course codes, is included in Course Information.

Other Ways to Earn Grad Credits

You can earn credits toward graduation outside of the classroom. A credential earned when you are 14 or 15 years old can qualify for a Grade 11 or 12 credit.

If you think you have learning that falls under this category, or are interested in earning grad credits in other ways, see Course Information for a complete list of approved External Credentials (Courses).

For more information, see your school counsellor.

Key Resources

• Course Information
• Earning Credit through Equivalency, Challenge, External Credentials, Post-Secondary Credit and Independent Directed Studies Policy

Associated Resources

• Handbook of Procedures