CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, & INSTITUTES: What is the Difference?

In different countries, the words "college" and "university" have different meanings. For instance, in Nigeria, a college refers to a secondary school (i.e. a high school). However, in Canada, a college is a post-secondary educational institution.

Differences-between-Canadian-Universities-vs-Colleges-vs-Institutes


Short on time? Here are the highlights:

A college in Canada is NOT a secondary school; it is a post-secondary educational institution.
Colleges in Canada focus more on career training and trades, while universities in Canada focus on academic and professional programs.
A college usually have smaller class sizes, better access to instructors, and lower tuition fees; compared to a university.
Canadian Colleges and Institutes offer varying levels of credentials, such as diplomas, certificates, postgraduate certificates, and some colleges in Canada now offer bachelor's degrees.
All universities in Canada have undergraduate (bachelor's) degrees, and many have graduate (Master's and doctoral) programs.
A student can start their post-secondary education at a college and then complete it at a university, using the same numbers of years that it would have taken such a person to complete the degree at a university. This way, they get the best of both worlds - the benefits of a college education and a university education.



COLLEGES & INSTITUTES IN CANADA

Colleges and institutes in Canada, deliver a broad range of applied, hands-on, and practical education, leading to a wide range of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. They often include a co-op/internship element where a real-world work term related to the study program counts toward the credential.

These institutions of practical learning are variably called Colleges, Institutes of Technology, Polytechnics, Regional Colleges, Centres, Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology, Community Colleges, or Institutes.



SOME VITAL POINTS ABOUT CANADIAN COLLEGES & INSTITUTES

Colleges and institutes are brilliant choices for international students interested in more applied education, specifically geared to their desired profession/career, with smaller class sizes and hands-on learning opportunities.

The strength of the non-university system in Canada is its diversity. Canadian Colleges and Institutes offer varying levels of credential (e.g., post-graduate certificates, diplomas, baccalaureate degrees) that take anywhere from a few months to four years. This time and money flexibility can be very advantageous to the international student.

Canadian colleges and institutes offer “quality education for quality employment” through applied, competency-based programs that respond to needs of employers. By blending their studies with applied research and/or internships, students get the hands-on experience employers are searching for. Canadian colleges and institutes boast excellent student employment rates—over 90% find jobs in their desired career after graduation.

Many institutions offer transfer programs (see below) that enable students to complete courses through the college/institute and then transfer into a university with credit toward their university degrees.



UNIVERSITY PATHWAYS (i.e. UNIVERSITY TRANSFER PROGRAMS)

Many colleges and polytechnics in Canada, have agreements with universities whereby certain courses are transferable and will be recognized by the university as counting toward a university degree. There are also several colleges and universities that offer joint diplomas and degrees, including agreements with other international institutions.

These transfer programs are increasingly popular because they allow students to take the first one (1) or two (2) years of a typical four-year university degree at a college, before transferring to complete the final two (2) years of the degree at university.

Hence, an international student who starts at a Canadian college and makes use of the university transfer program, will complete his/her degree using the same numbers of years that it would have taken such a person to complete the degree at a university. Simply put, there is no time lost by starting at a college.


Why Would a Student want to Start his/her Study in Canada Journey at a College?

Colleges often offer smaller class sizes, better access to instructors, reasonable tuition fees, and a more personal atmosphere. This is very vital for international students as many international students find beginning studies at a college to be a very comfortable, supportive option before they move on to a university, if a university degree is their goal. This way, they get the best of both worlds - the benefits of a college education and a university education.


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6 Comments on “CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, & INSTITUTES: What is the Difference?

  1. My CGPA in Statistics is 2.63(second class lower)
    Please is it possible to do a direct masters in Statistics in Canada with this grade?
    how much will this cost me, what minimum amount should i have in my account?
    when do i apply for the next admission?
    is there any scholarship for such grade too?
    i really need to be Great, thanks.
    am currently a serving Corper(Batch A, stream 1)

    1. Hello Nwabueze,
      Since you had a Second Class Lower (2:2) in your undergraduate study, it is important you know that most Canadian educational institution will only accept a 2:2 for their masters program, if your GPA in the last two years of your undergraduate studies is above 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (i.e. 3.50 on a 5.00 scale). So, if due to a low GPA you are unable to secure an admission into a masters program, you will have to consider first going for a post-degree diploma/certificate (PGD) program. Then, if you have good grades in the post-degree diploma/certificate program (usually a minimum of B average), you should be able to secure an admission into a masters program afterwards.
      To get answers to your additional questions, kindly follow this link: https://www.plumvilleint.com/study-canada-admission-visa-work-questions-answers/

  2. My name is Emmanuel from Nigeria, I am HND graduated of Microbiology upper credit division 3.09 from a scale of 4.0 . I wish to study Medical Laboratory science in canada so I want to know if I can be admitted with my HND in Microbiology into the department…
    I will be awaiting ur swift reply .

    Thanks.

    1. Hello Emmanuel. Each educational institution in Canada has its own policy regarding admission requirements. You did not state what level of education you intend pursuing in Canada (e.g. Bachelors, Post Graduate Diploma/Certificate, etc.), so we are unable to provide you with concise information at this time. Therefore, we have sent you an email, so reply our email with more information.

  3. I want to study in canada, bacause is one of the country that produce good student.

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