CES (Comparative Education Service), operated by the University of Toronto, is one of only 5 IRCC-designated organizations for Express Entry ECA in Canada. Let FACTS handle your transcript procurement and dispatch.
Understanding the Comparative Education Service by the University of Toronto
CES is the credential evaluation arm of the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. It is one of only five organizations designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for the Express Entry immigration system.
CES is known for its thorough and detailed academic evaluations, providing a comprehensive report that compares your international credentials against Canadian educational standards. Their evaluations are accepted for both immigration and academic purposes.
We take the complexity out of the CES transcript and evaluation process
We coordinate directly with your Indian university or institution to initiate the transcript and document collection process on your behalf. Our pan-India network covers 9,000+ institutions.
Our team obtains official sealed transcripts, degree certificates, and all required academic documents from your institution, ensuring they meet CES requirements.
Documents are securely dispatched directly from the institution to CES at the University of Toronto via tracked international courier, maintaining the chain of custody.
Stay informed at every stage with real-time updates on document procurement, dispatch status, and delivery confirmation to CES Toronto. We keep you in the loop.
Ensure your application is complete with the correct documents
⚠️ Important: CES requires documents to be sent directly by the issuing institution. FACTS coordinates this entire process, ensuring your documents are dispatched in the correct format and through the proper channel.
From registration to evaluation, here's how it works
Fill out our online form with your academic details, university name, and CES application reference number. Our team will review your requirements and provide a quote within 24 hours.
Create your CES account on the University of Toronto website and submit your ECA application. Pay the CES evaluation fee and receive your CES reference number. Share this with FACTS.
We reach out to your university's examination department or registrar's office, submit the necessary requests, and follow up persistently until your documents are prepared and sealed.
Once all documents are collected and verified, they are securely dispatched to CES at the University of Toronto via international tracked courier. You receive the tracking details immediately.
CES receives your documents, completes their evaluation, and issues your ECA report. You can use this report for your Express Entry profile, which remains valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
Know what to expect at every stage
Estimated Total Timeline
5 - 7 WeeksTimelines vary based on university responsiveness and CES processing queue
Compare the three most popular IRCC-designated ECAs for Canada immigration
| Feature | CES (University of Toronto) | WES (World Education Services) | IQAS (Alberta) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operated By | University of Toronto | WES (Non-profit) | Government of Alberta |
| IRCC Designated | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Processing | 20 business days | 20 business days | 12-16 weeks |
| Rush Processing | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Evaluation Fee | ~CAD 210 | ~CAD 220 | ~CAD 200 |
| Report Type | Course-by-course detailed | Document-by-document | Document-by-document |
| Accepted For | Express Entry, PNPs, academic | Express Entry, PNPs, licensing | Express Entry, Alberta PNP |
| Report Validity | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Document Submission | Institution must send directly | Via WES Reference Number | Institution must send directly |
| Best For | Detailed course-level evaluation | Fastest turnaround, most popular | Alberta-specific immigration |
Common questions about CES credential evaluation
CES (Comparative Education Service) is operated by the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. It is one of five organizations designated by IRCC to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for the Express Entry immigration system. An ECA from CES confirms that your international degree or diploma is equivalent to a Canadian credential, which is required to claim education points in your Express Entry profile.
While both are IRCC-designated ECAs, CES is run by the University of Toronto and is known for providing more detailed course-by-course evaluations. WES is a standalone non-profit and is generally the most popular choice. CES requires documents to be sent directly from the institution, while WES uses a reference number system. Both reports are equally valid for Express Entry purposes.
CES requires official academic documents to be sent directly by the issuing institution, not by the applicant. This is where FACTS helps - we coordinate with your university to ensure documents are properly prepared, sealed, and dispatched directly from the institution to CES in Toronto, maintaining the required chain of custody.
The total timeline is typically 5-7 weeks. FACTS takes 7-15 days for document procurement, international courier takes 3-5 days, and CES takes approximately 20 business days for standard processing. Timelines may vary based on your university's responsiveness and CES's current processing queue.
Yes, a CES ECA report is valid for Express Entry applications across all Canadian provinces. It can also be used for many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). However, some provinces like Alberta have their own ECA body (IQAS). Check the specific requirements of the PNP you are applying to for any preferences.
A CES ECA report is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. You can use it for multiple Express Entry profiles or applications within this validity period. If your report expires, you will need to apply for a new evaluation. FACTS can assist you with the re-evaluation process as well.
Let FACTS handle the document procurement and dispatch to CES. We've helped over 50,000 applicants with their credential evaluation needs.
