Education System of Canada
Responsibility
Education in Canada is provided, funded & overseen by provincial and local government.
Trivia …!!!
- Canada only country in OECD not to have national education department
- Education constitutionally provincial responsibility and rigorously guarded
- Much of provincial policy interest stimulated by need for skilled workers/PR
Types of Canadian Institutions :
- K-12- Schools
- Universities
- University Colleges
- Community Colleges
- Career College
- Language schools
Definition of Degrees
- Undergraduate
Undergraduate programs leading to a bachelor’s degree generally require three or four years of full-time study, depending on the province. - Master’s or Graduate Studies or Post Graduate Diploma
Master’s degrees generally require at least 2 years of full-time studies including a thesis (a long essay based on original research), practicum or research paper. - Doctoral, or PhD
Doctoral programs require a minimum of 2-5 years of full-time study.
Universities :
- Semester 2 or 3
- Small, medium, large institutions
- 3-and 4-year degrees, Master’s, PhDs, Professional
- Research intensive
- Fixed Admission requirements
- One to Two intakes primarily-Sept/Jan
- Over 90 Universities in Canada
- University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, Memorial University, Dalhousie University, University of Alberta etc
University Colleges :
- Offers University degrees as well as college diplomas and certificate programs.
- They may also offer combined degree diploma programs and university transfer programs.
- Their strong student support services, small classes and strong campus environment distinguish University Colleges. Examples –
- Algoma University College, Huron University College, Kings University College
- Ex – Malaspina University College, Kwantlen University College, University College of Cape Breton etc
- Research intensive
Community Colleges :
- Diploma Certificate, Applied Degree programs, university transfer
- College, Institute of Technology, Cégep
- 135 across Canada
- Very engaged internationally
- Programs industry driven, hands on
- Since they prepare a student to be job ready many Indian students are attracted to applying to Community Colleges in Canada.
- Centennial, Humber, Seneca, Niagara, Cambrian, Sheridan, George Brown, SAIT, Langara, Douglas, Red River, New Brunswick Community College, College of North Atlantic etc.
Career Colleges :
- Short-term, specialized training
- Focus on popular subject areas
- Almost all are private
- Business, Technology, Service Industries, Arts
- Across Canada
Vancouver Film School, Art & Design Institute, Le Cordon Bleu, RCIT, Alexander College, Columbia College, Niagara on the Lake Culinary School etc
Cooperative Education :
- Earn While You Learn
- Co-op students are allowed work for the designated terms
- Institutions help you obtain employment authorization to work
- International Students are allowed to take up off campus jobs of upto 20hrs/week
Work in Canada as a Student:
- Work on-campus or off-campus to a maximum of 20 hours per week
- Work full time during study breaks
- Post Graduate Work allows you to get Canadian work experience