International students can select from a variety of higher education institutions in Canada. The institutes have established a strong reputation in specific subject areas. Canada, like the United States, allows you to study at a technical or community college before transferring to another university to complete your undergraduate education.
Types of Higher Level Education Institutions in Canada
Universities in Canada
Universities in Canada receive public funds and are largely autonomous, with the power to establish admission criteria, academic standards, degree requirements and manage their finances and program offerings.
Canada has over 10,000 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate programs and degrees. Additionally, some universities offer short programs leading to certificates, diplomas, or professional degrees.
University students can continue studying for master’s and doctoral degrees. Students will take three to four years to finish university and earn a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees take one to two years to finish.
Colleges
Colleges in Canada are either privately or publicly funded; in both cases, students have to pay tuition fees, though public colleges offer courses at substantially lower costs.
The Canadian university system consists of two types of colleges: community colleges and university colleges. Most colleges offer career-oriented, practical programs with specific training and general courses like English, Math, Science, Psychology, and many others.
It usually takes three to four years to complete an undergraduate degree if you study full-time; Honours degrees are generally required for graduate programs (Master’s degree).
Higher Education Structure in Canada
The province and territory in Canada are responsible for all levels of education, including higher education. Canada does not have a federal or country-wide education system; provincial and territorial regulations keep education standards high.
Academic Year
Universities, colleges, and polytechnic institutes make up the Canadian higher education system. Canadian universities offer bachelor’s degree programs, while colleges and polytechnic institutes offer shorter, career-focused programs that may not include bachelor’s degrees.
Colleges and universities in Canada generally follow a two-semester system, with the first semester beginning in September, ending in December, the second semester beginning in January, and ending in April or May.
A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to complete in Canada, but some students may be able to complete it in three.
Grading System
The university grading scale is the measure of a student’s level of academic achievement during their degree. The grading scale determines whether students will be awarded a degree at the end of their studies, how well they achieved academically, and whether or not they will be permitted to continue postgraduate studies.
International students are assessed against a university grading system to determine if they are qualified for admission to a university course by the university grading system. This is especially true when transferring from one university to another or applying for foreign study using high school results from another country.
GPA scores in Canada are usually based on a scale of 4.0; however, in certain states, they can be as high as 9.0; this is usually the case in Ontario. A letter grade of B or a GPA of at least 2.67 is required for international students to be admitted.
Language of Instruction
English and French are the two official languages of Canada. International students can choose either language for their studies, and many schools in Canada provide courses in both languages.
English is most of Canada’s main language of school-level education, although French is seen everywhere. Québec students must study French until they complete their high school studies.
Under certain circumstances, a Canadian student can study in English, such as in Quebec, temporarily.
Admission Requirements
There is an admissions process for all post-secondary institutions to select the students who will attend their schools. Competition depends on the type of school, the program, and the student’s admission.
Undergraduate Admission Criteria
It is typically high school students who compete most fiercely for undergraduate schools; in this case, the two most important criteria are the completion of high school and the ability to speak one of the two official languages: English in most parts of Canada and English or French in Quebec and New Brunswick.
Students can choose from Arts, Science, and Business programs; however, various themes and numerous subcategories and majors are available.
Graduate Admission Criteria
For admission to graduate programs, a previous undergraduate degree is generally required; however, exceptions do exist. As graduate degrees involve (in most cases) little coursework and largely independent research, students must have the basic theoretical knowledge to conduct independent research.
To determine a student’s suitability for graduate school, they typically need a supervisor to “vouch” for them. In most cases, the student tries to match their study program with a supervisor interested in a similar field by interviewing various supervisors.
Application Process
When you apply to a university in Canada, you usually select a specific program or course of study. In contrast, in the U.S., you decide on your major after you enroll. There are often different admissions requirements for different academic programs at the same university. Read the university’s website carefully or contact the admissions office for more information.
In general, the application process includes these requirements:
- Secondary School GPA and scores on SAT and AP
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Reference letters
- English or French language proficiency tests (if applicable)
In some Canadian provinces, such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, you can apply directly to specific universities using a centralized online application portal. It is important to note that application deadlines vary widely between Canadian universities and programs within a university.
Typically, you must submit your application for admission between January and April if you are applying for fall admissions. Universities often have earlier deadlines for scholarship applications. Therefore, check each university’s website to find the deadlines that matter to you.
It is common for Canadian universities to accept applications from international students after the official deadline. If you need more time or have already missed a deadline, contact the universities you’re interested in to see if you can still apply.
Higher Education Cost in Canada
Canadian universities have higher tuition fees but are generally lower than those in countries such as the United Kingdom, the USA, or Australia. The university fees may vary depending on the city or degree program.
For instance, Newfoundland has some of the cheapest universities in Canada, while Ontario has some of the most expensive ones. The tuition ranges from 550 – 30,000 Canadian Dollars per year. The most expensive degree programs are in Medicine, Engineering, and Social Science.
Top Degree Choices to study in Canada
Here are some of the top degree choices for students in Canada:
- Medicine. Canada stands out for its quality of health services, one of the finest in the world. Therefore, students interested in professionalizing in Canada should be aware that they must enter a medical school, which is typically found within university faculties and offers between three and four years to obtain a doctor of medicine degree.
- Engineering. Engineering firms in Canada are often in the software and civil specialty areas, which are in high demand due to constant economic expansion.
- Finance. As many of the country’s largest banks and big financial institutions are located in Toronto, there is a high demand for professionals in the financial sector.
- Computer Sciences. Computing is omnipresent in our lives. It has become as indispensable as electricity, and the daily activities in which computing is not involved are rare. Computing affects virtually every aspect of everyday life; this is a constantly boiling sector in Canada where thousands of new jobs are being created.
- Media & Journalism. There is a need in Canada for competent journalists to provide the country with accurate and impartial information, especially in a technological world where anyone can deliver incomplete, inaccurate, or even misleading information.
Differences Between Canada and Quebec
Quebec has a different structure or way of referring to things than the rest of Canada. ‘College’ in Quebec refers to either a two-year preuniversity or three-year professional program.
After completing one of these, students can pursue undergraduate studies at universities, which usually last three years and lead to a bachelor’s degree. Then they can pursue a graduate program (a one-two year program that leads to a master’s degree, followed by three or more years for a Ph.D.).
The term ‘college’ is used in other parts of Canada to describe a technical school or a community college where students can earn certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees. At a university, students can take undergraduate or postgraduate courses (though they need a degree with honors), while at a graduate school, they can earn advanced certificates, degrees, or diplomas.