Colleges and vocational schools in Canada
By choosing to study at a Canadian college or vocational school, you’re choosing a career-oriented experience that’s in tune with the changing global market. Come study in Canada and you’ll gain world-class experience, complete with endless opportunities to advance your knowledge and your skills.
Practical learning for the real world
Do you love the idea of gaining valuable work experience while you study? Our colleges and vocational schools offer countless ways for you to do so. Each works closely with business and industry to design programs that offer hands-on training and teach the skills employers are seeking. You can also take part in internships, co-operative programs and work placements that’ll get you real-world experience while you’re studying.
By attending a Canadian college, you can earn a certificate, diploma or post-graduate diploma. You can also take university transfer programs, apprenticeship programs, or complete academic and applied degrees.
Programs to suit your needs
Are you interested in nanotechnology? Web design? Social work? Nursing? Whatever your passion, we have the programs. Choose from more than 10,000 programs at 127 publicly funded colleges, institutes and polytechnics across Canada. They offer a full range of study options in the technical and professional fields, including:
• Agriculture and agri-food
• Broadcasting and journalism
• Business
• Dental hygiene
• Design
• Engineering technology
• Environment
• Health
• Hospitality management
• Information and communications technology
• Languages and arts
• Sciences
• Social services
Canadian college programs are offered on a full-time or part-time basis, both in-person and online via distance education. Programs vary in length from a few months to 4 years. When you study in Canada, you can also complete your studies in English or French. The choice is yours.
Applied research that supports innovation
If you have an entrepreneur’s mind, Canada is the place to be. As a college student in Canada, you have access to research labs, business centres and entrepreneurship accelerators to grow your business ideas. You’ll also receive mentorship and coaching support, so you can find financing to pitch investors.
Our colleges, institutes and polytechnics work with small and medium-sized enterprises to create, refine or adapt products, including services, technologies and processes. All of this opens doors to practical work experience and opportunities for your future.
Cost of college and vocational school in Canada
College programs vary in length, so they are often less expensive than university studies. Some programs include work-integrated learning, which may earn you an income while you are in Canada.
You’ll find high-quality colleges and vocational schools throughout Canada, including smaller cities and towns where the cost of living is lower. Even Canada’s larger cities are relatively more affordable than many cities around the world.
Tuition fees for international students in Canada vary depending on the program and location you choose. Try our search tool to find your college program and calculate what it will cost you:
You will see that some schools offer free tuition, while others range from approximately CAD 2,000 per year to CAD 18,000 per year for tuition, depending on the college and your program of study. It pays to do your research, so try comparing up to 3 colleges and destinations in one search. Our tool will do that for you.
It will also generate costs for your living expenses. We found that, on average, living costs tend to be approximately CAD 12,000 for Canadian college students.
Scholarships to study in Canada
You may be eligible for a scholarship, fellowship or grant to study in Canada. The Government of Canada, our provinces and territories and many educational institutions offer funding for international students.
7 steps to your study in Canada experience
1. Choose your program of study and find out who offers it.
2. Find and apply for scholarships.
3. Apply to the Canadian Universities that interest you most.
4. Prepare your study in Canada budget.
5. Get your study permit.
6. Plan your new ife in Canada.
7. Review our going to Canada check list before you leave home.
Admission requirements
Each college and vocational school in Canada has its own admission requirements.
To learn out about admission requirements for the program you want to pursue, visit the websites of the colleges you are interested in attending. You can alson consult with Westhill Academy education consultants.
To study at a Canadian college, you must provide proof of your English or French language capabilities, depending on the language you choose for your studies.
• English-language colleges may require you to write a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
• French-language institutions assess students individually. To learn what a certain college requires, check with the Office of the Registrar at the school you wish to attend.
Admission requirements and credits
Each university in Canada has its own requirements for admission and transferring credits from other institutions. To learn about admission requirements for the program you want to pursue, visit the website of the university you would like to attend. Contact the university directly to find out whether your existing credits can be applied toward that program.
To study at a Canadian university, you must provide proof of your English or French language capabilities, depending on the language you choose for your studies.
• English-language universities may require you to write a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
• French-language universities assess students individually. To learn what a certain university requires, check with the Office of the Registrar at the school you wish to attend.