International Certification Policies and Procedures
At Brown, international certification exam scores can serve three main purposes: to place into higher level courses, to obtain course credit (which is not identical to concentration credit), or to graduate in fewer than eight semesters. Read below for University and department policies related to these three areas.
To place into higher level courses
Students may use international certification scores to place into higher-level courses at Brown. For example, a score of 5 on the Math IB Higher Level exam places a student out of Math 0090 and Math 0100 and allows the student to enroll in Math 0170. Students who have earned grades that meet Brown's equivalency requirements may register for more advanced courses even if their documentation has yet to be received by Brown. Students wishing to place into a higher level course using an exam score that is not listed on the equivalency chart should consult with the appropriate academic department; the Dean of the College Office does not determine placement.
To obtain course credit
Students may use international certification scores to obtain equivalent course credit at Brown. Some departments may require students to submit course descriptions, syllabi, and/or samples of work (such as papers or exams) completed in international certification courses before determining whether or not to grant Brown-equivalent course credit. The transcripted Brown equivalent credits will count toward the 30-course graduation requirement.
Students who wish to use international certification exam scores to obtain credit for more than two Brown equivalent courses will be required to accept advanced standing. This means they will be required to finish their Brown degree in fewer than eight semesters.
Students with exam scores who do not wish to accelerate graduation may have up to two Brown courses transcripted for equivalent exam scores if they are needed for degree requirements or for professional school applications.
To obtain advanced standing
Students may use international certification scores to accelerate graduation by one or two semesters. Students who activate exam scores that are the equivalent of 3 to 6 Brown courses are required to accept one semester of advanced standing. Students who activate exam scores that are the equivalent of 7-10 Brown courses are required to accept two semesters of advanced standing. If a student does not wish to accelerate his or her graduation, the University will transcript one or two Brown-equivalent courses if the courses are needed for concentration requirements, for the 30-course degree requirement, or for professional school applications.
Concentration credit policies
Transcripting a Brown-equivalent course credit for an international exam score does not mean that concentration credit has been earned. Academic departments determine whether or not such course credits fulfill concentration requirements. Students should consult with the appropriate concentration advisor to determine whether or not a transcripted Brown course equivalency meets a concentration requirement.
For example, transcripted Brown course equivalences for Math 0090 and Math 0100 do NOT automatically earn concentration credit when such courses are required or elective courses in a concentration. Students must obtain concentration credit approval for transcripted course equivalences from the appropriate concentration advisor.
Please note, too, that it is possible to obtain concentration credit for a course WITHOUT having it transcripted. Consult with your concentration advisor about the pertinent policies in your concentration.
If a concentration advisor approves an international exam score for a concentration course requirement that is not included in the course equivalency chart below, students must fill out the Undergraduate Transfer Credit Approval Form and have the form signed by the concentration advisor. Return the completed form to Room 201, University Hall.
Where to apply for transcript credit and for advanced standing
The Office of the Dean of the College processes exam scores for transcripted course equivalencies, advanced standing, and enrollment credit. Students who wish to consult with the dean who handles international credits should bring the original certification of examination results to the appropriate office. We will make a copy of the certificate and return the original to you. An approved copy of exam scores must be on file before the dean will consult with a student about his or her scores.
When to apply for advanced standing
In order to allow adequate time for students to familiarize themselves with Brown and to examine the impact of advanced standing on their academic plan, students may not apply for advanced standing before their third semester in residence at Brown. (Transfer students may request advanced standing in their second semester at Brown if circumstances warrant doing so.) Requests for advanced standing must be received no later than the end of the sixth semester.
Once a student applies for and is granted advanced standing, he or she may not rescind the request. Too often students who apply for advanced standing later decide that they would like to stay at Brown for 8 full semesters. Such students are severely disappointed when they learn that they are unable to so. Students are therefore strongly encouraged to delay applying for advanced standing until they are sure they wish to complete their undergraduate degree in fewer than eight semesters.
Brown Course Equivalencies for International Exam Scores
Brown University recognizes international certification exam scores from the following programs: International Baccalaureate, A-levels, French Baccalaureate, Swiss Federal Maturity Certificate, Italian Esame di Stato, and the German Abitur. Other programs are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The tables below list credits awarded for exam scores and those departments with direct course equivalencies. Students with exam scores in areas not listed should consult with the individual department about course placement and credit.