A Closer Look at 3-Year Degrees: Not All Created Equal

By: Hannah Welbourn and Mai Bui

While navigating employment-based petitions, especially the H-1B, the duration of a program can be a frequent point of confusion. One question we often see: How could a three-year degree be equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s?

It’s important to consider not only the number of years of study but also the structure, educational conventions, and historical contexts of the academic system behind the credential. In the United States, a Bachelor’s degree typically involved four years of post-secondary education. However, in many countries, especially those following British or Commonwealth systems, Bachelor’s degrees are often completed in three years. Whether these degrees are considered equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree depends largely on two factors: what is required to enter the program, and what graduates are entitled to do with their degree.

For instance, a three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) from India and a three-year Bachelor of Science from the United Kingdom differ in structure despite their duration.

United Kingdom: A-Level Exams and Focused Study

Prior to enrolling in university, students in the UK typically completed 13 years of education, culminating in rigorous A-level exams. These exams serve as entry requirements and represent a level of specialization and advanced study that aligns with first-year college-level coursework in the United States, similar to Advanced Placement (AP) courses in U.S. high schools. As a result, the Bachelor’s degree is built upon a strong academic foundation with no need for general education coursework, because the student has already met those requirements during their A-level studies. As a result, a Bachelor’s degree from the UK is considered equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree despite only taking three years to complete.

India: Variation in Academic Structure

In contrast, a Bachelor of Arts/Science in India is usually completed after twelve years of schooling. Some general education requirements are not yet fulfilled by the time candidates entered their first year of university, requiring a longer period of higher education. For this reason, the three-year Bachelor’s degree is typically evaluated as three years of undergraduate study.

It’s important to note the difference between these Indian three-year BSc degrees and the Indian four-year B.S. research degree (offered at select institutions) or the Bachelor of Engineering/Technology. The latter programs are typically highly specialized programs lasting four years, usually with strong research or experimental learning components.

These distinctions can affect petition strategies, particularly when arguing that a beneficiary meets the “U.S. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent” standard for the H-1B.

Questions about equivalencies? Feel free to reach out to eval@parkeval.com for a preliminary assessment and quote.