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Canadian Higher Education

Much like the American higher education system, the Canadian post-secondary education system has two different paths that students can choose to follow. Note that despite the overall structure being the same (in terms of order of completion, and general program length), each province is responsible for a particular education system, with its own management of scholarships and financial awards, program prerequisites and requirements for completion, etc.

A Side Note on International Studies vs. Immigration

An important factor to consider if you are planning to become an international student is that Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) needs to see a progression in your course of study through the program for which you are applying. That is to say, you will not be successful in obtaining a study visa if you are amid a career change and hoping to start anew in Canada. In that case, you would be better served by applying for permanent residence (what was once called landed immigrant status) instead. If you think this is the case, visit the Immigrating to Canada Community for more information.

For the hierarchical order of higher education programs, check the two diagrams below, and decide which one is better suited for you. If you are still wondering what program or institution might be a good fit given your background and interests, make sure to use the Canadian School Finder to view a list of suggestions.

Academic System: Paths to Knowledge from Different Angles

Academic Route

The path below requires graduation from a secondary education, but each program and school will vary in particular prerequisites for admission.


Skilled Trade Route

The path below also requires completion of a secondary school program, and has its own sets of admission criteria based on each college program. Note that this route tends to be much shorter, depending on the internship and experience credits required within a trade (i.e. carpentry, plumbing, electrical training, etc.).


Career College Route

Career College Programs tend to be shorter in duration than Undergraduate or Skilled Trade programs. The reason for this difference in length is that the graduate exits the institution with a highly specialized, concentrated knowledge of one specific aspect in a field. Many of the programs are considered part of Applied Technology, with the emphasis on technique and specialization.

You may notice that different institutions may have an overlap between the Skilled Trade and Career programs, the difference being based on the structure and length of training programs. Some of these programs are also only available at post-graduate level, meaning you must go through one of the previous routes to attain a certificate or diploma in your particular field.

Some of the programs available in Career Colleges are:
  • Culinary Arts
  • Aesthetic or Make-Up Arts
  • Administrative and Executive Assistantship
  • Telecommunications & Media
  • Digital Animation & Game Design
  • TV or Film Production
  • Paralegal Assistance
  • Paramedic Assistance
  • Dental Hygiene Technician
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
  • Hospitality Services
  • Counseling
  • Accounting
  • Engineering Technology
If all this information seems a bit overwhelming, and you would like suggestions and guidance on what's available and appropriate for you, visit the Canadian School Finder to give you a solid start into your international study plans.


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