* Your home country's institution: Each college or university has its own policies regarding the acceptance of foreign credits. Some are more receptive than others. You need to contact the admissions or registrar's office of the specific institution you wish to attend to understand their procedures and requirements.
* The foreign institution's accreditation: The accreditation status of the foreign university is crucial. Your home institution will likely require that the foreign institution be accredited by a recognized body. They may not accept credits from unaccredited institutions.
* Course equivalency: The foreign courses must be equivalent to courses offered at your home institution. This means the content, level, and credit hours need to align. This assessment is often done by the receiving institution.
* Documentation: You will need comprehensive documentation from the foreign institution, including official transcripts, course descriptions, and potentially proof of accreditation. These documents may need to be translated and evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
* Coursework and GPA: Your home institution may have minimum GPA requirements and may only accept credits from certain courses.
In short, transferring credits from a foreign institution requires proactive communication with your intended home institution and potentially the use of a credential evaluation service. It's best to begin this process well in advance of your planned enrollment.