Low CRS Score? Boost It Fast by Going Back to School

A low CRS score in Express Entry can hinder your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Returning to school is often one of the fastest ways to boost your CRS points, with a new credential potentially raising your score by up to 50 points or more.

Even credentials at the same or lower level than your existing qualification can still improve your CRS score. This makes education one of the most flexible CRS-boosting strategies available to Express Entry candidates.

Factors That Affect CRS When Going Back To School Age is a major concern for candidates. CRS points peak between 20 and 29, then drop, with zero points after 45.

Most study programs take one to three years. If you are nearing age 30, weigh education gains against age-related CRS loss.

1. CRS Points For Age

Infographic Showing CRS Points For Age Another critical limitation is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Candidates are eligible to receive a PGWP only once in their lifetime. If you have already obtained a PGWP after a previous program of study in Canada, you cannot receive another PGWP, even if you return for further studies. This means studying again in Canada will not make you eligible for a second PGWP.

International students can work only 24 hours per week during studies. Work done while studying full-time does not count for CRS work experience points.

2. Impact On Canadian Work Experience Going back to school can temporarily pause your ability to gain full-time Canadian work experience, which is a major CRS scoring factor.

While studying, work hours are restricted during academic sessions, and any work performed while enrolled full-time does not count toward CRS-eligible Canadian work experience. This means candidates who leave the workforce to study may lose momentum in accumulating the one year or more of skilled Canadian experience required for higher CRS points.

However, completing an eligible program in Canada may later unlock a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), allowing you to gain qualifying Canadian work experience after graduation. This trade-off should be carefully evaluated, especially for candidates already close to meeting the one-year Canadian experience threshold.

3. Language Score Interaction With Education Education alone does not unlock the highest CRS gains unless paired with strong language results.

The Skills Transferability section of CRS awards up to 50 additional points when higher education is combined with strong language proficiency. Candidates with CLB 9 or higher benefit the most, while those below CLB 7 receive no transferability points at all, regardless of education level.

This means returning to school without improving language scores may result in limited CRS gains. For many candidates, upgrading language test results alongside education delivers a far stronger return than education alone.

4. Type And Level Of Educational Credential Not all educational programs deliver the same CRS value.

Short programs, second diplomas, or additional certificates can still increase CRS, but the biggest gains come from:

Completing a second post-secondary credential

Moving from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s or professional degree

Earning a Canadian credential that qualifies for bonus CRS points

It is also important to ensure the program is eligible under Canadian immigration rules. Programs from non-recognized institutions or those that do not meet study permit requirements may not provide CRS benefits at all.

5. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Opportunities Returning to school in Canada can improve eligibility beyond Express Entry.

Many provinces prioritize international graduates for provincial nomination, particularly in sectors facing labor shortages. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Studying in a province aligned with your occupation can significantly improve your long-term immigration prospects, especially if your CRS score remains below federal cut-offs after graduation.

Real CRS Improvement Examples A candidate with a Canadian bachelor’s degree who adds a one-year Canadian diploma can gain approximately 33 CRS points. Despite losing some age points, the net increase in the CRS is usually positive.

A bachelor’s degree holder who completes a Canadian master’s degree can gain up to 40 CRS points, especially when combined with strong language scores.

Foreign degree holders who complete a two-year Canadian diploma can earn up to 48 CRS points, plus additional points for Canadian education and potential eligibility for Canadian work experience.

Canadian Education Vs Foreign Education Canadian education offers extra CRS points that foreign credentials do not. Completing studies in Canada can add 15 to 30 additional CRS points, depending on program length .

Foreign education requires an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) and only contributes core education points.

Canadian education also opens doors to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which can add 600 CRS points through nomination.

Key Takeaways Going back to school can increase CRS by up to 50 points. Age loss must be carefully balanced against education gains. Canadian education provides more CRS benefits than foreign education. PGWP can only be issued once Strong language scores significantly amplify education-related CRS points. Education can unlock PNP pathways beyond Express Entry.