Types of Institutions in Canada

Post-Secondary education is the responsibility of the individual provinces and territory.  At the post-secondary level, Canada extends a range of educational institutions. Essentially, there are two major types of Institutions:
  1. Degree-Granting Institutions
  2. Non°granting Institutions

Degree-Granting Institutions

Degree-granting institutions vary from province to province and comprises of universities, university colleges, colleges, institutes of technology, and specialized institutes. Degree-granting institutions in Canada focus on teaching and research.

Programs Offered

University degrees are provided at three continuous levels- bachelor's, master's, and doctoral with the completion of a degree from the lower level generally an essential requirement for admittance to the next.

Students at the baccalaureate, or bachelor's, level are known as undergraduates. University colleges undertake degree programs as their primary activity and provide bachelor's degrees. A few also provide master's degrees with an applied focus.

Some public and private universities and university colleges have religious denominational affiliations. Such establishments offer divinity programs and degrees for the specific intent of training students.

Colleges and technical institutes take on diploma and certificate programs as their most important activity, and also offer bachelor's and applied degrees in areas of particular specialization.

Academic year: At most degree-granting institutions, the academic year is divided into two semesters, from September to December and from January to April. Most institutions also offer spring and summer sessions, and a few operate on a trimester basis.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for undergraduate and graduate study vary from institution to institution and from program to program. Graduation from a university-preparatory program at secondary school or a two-year CEGEP program is typically the minimum requirement for admission to degree programs. Also, a minimum grade-point average, specific course-content and standardized tests are considered paramount for admission.

The most important prerequisite is English and French language proficiency. At all Canadian universities, English or French is the language of instruction. An applicant has to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language.

English Proficiency

  • IELTS: IELTS or International English Language Test. Most universities require international students to take this test.

  • TOEFL: TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is important to take for admission in Canadian Universities/Institutions.

Non-Granting Institutes

The non°granting postsecondary institutions in Canada are either recognized public colleges or are registered or licensed.

Non°granting institutions focus on diploma and certificate programs and may also provide degree or joint diploma/degree courses.

Depending on the province or territory, public non°granting institutions are called colleges, regional colleges, centers, colleges of applied arts and technology, community colleges, institutes, or CEGEPs. They offer educational programs in a wide range of backgrounds, from large urban centers to remote communities.

Private non°granting institutions are at times called colleges, career training institutes, vocational schools, or academies, depending on whether the state or district in which they are located has legislated title restrictions.

In most provinces, private non°granting institutions must follow legislated registration or licensing processes in order to function.

Programs Offered

Public colleges, specialized institutes, community colleges, institutes of technology and advanced learning, and CEGEPs offer vocationally oriented programs in a wide range of professional and technical fields, including business, health, science, agriculture, applied arts, technology, skilled trades, and social services. Some specialized institutes offer training in a single field, such as art, paramedical technology, or agriculture. In addition, these foundations often provide adult basic-education and literacy programs; adult retraining, customized training for industry, professional upgrading, pre-employment, and pre-apprenticeship programs; and workshops.

Many colleges also offer specialized postgraduate diplomas to students who already have a diploma or degree.
Colleges offer the in-class portion of apprenticeship programs too. The length of apprenticeship programs differs by trade, but is usually four years, with graduation resulting in a certificate.

Admission Requirements

Non°granting institutions set their own entrance requirements, which may be more flexible than those of universities. Nevertheless, in general, secondary-school graduation is required for technical and professional diploma programs, as considerably as for pre-university transfer programs. Many private postsecondary institutions base their entrance requirements on a student's capacity to pay the required fees and academic standing.

The most important prerequisite is English and French language proficiency. At all Canadian universities, English or French is the language of instruction. An applicant has to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language.

English Proficiency

  • IELTS: IELTS or International English Language Test. Most universities require international students to take this test.

  • TOEFL: TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is must for admission.

The Post secondary Institutions in Canada at a glance

 Credential Status and Institutional Title Community StatusRecognition Status
Qualification IssuedGovernment Funding

 Degree-granting

  • University
  • University College
  • College
  • Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
  • Institute
 Public Recognized Degrees
Diplomas
Certificates
 Yes
  •  University
 Private Recognized     Degrees Some institutions receive funding
 
  • University College
  • College
  • Institute
 Private Non-recognized Diplomas
Certificates
 Some institutions receive funding

 Non°granting

  • College
  • Community College
  • College of Applied Arts and Technology
  • Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
  • Regional College
  • Centre
  • School
  • CEGEP
 Public Recognized Diplomas
Certificates
Attestations
 Yes
  • College
  • School
  • Academy
  • Institute
PrivateRecognized
Non-recognized licensed
Non-recognized registered
Non-licensed
Non-registered
Diplomas
Certificates
No

Connect me with the Top Colleges
First Name:
Last Name:
E-Mail ID :
You live in:
Mobile Number:
You want to study in:
Highest Level of Education:
Study Preference:
You want to Study:
Need an education loan?
loading Processing...
  • No Articles to display

Know More »

  • No Press Releases to display

Know More »

Canada Select a Country

Our Network :