CANADIAN COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES:
A Guide to the Canadian Higher Education System
© 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1
Top-Ranked Canadian Universities................................................................................................. 2
The Top 10 Universities in Canada............................................................................................ 2
The Difference Between College and University in Canada........................................................... 3
Canadian Colleges..................................................................................................................... 3
Canadian Universities................................................................................................................ 3
The Application Process.................................................................................................................. 5
Application Process Checklist......................................................................................................... 6
Study Permits............................................................................................................................. 7
Credential Evaluations..................................................................................................................... 8
WES Credential Evaluations............................................................................................................ 9
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................... 10
Resources....................................................................................................................................... 10
i
YUKON
TERRITORY
NORTHWEST NUNAVUT
TERRITORIES
NEWFOUNDLAND
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
ALBERTA MANITOBA
QUEBEC
PRINCE EDWARD
ISLAND
SASKATCH-
ONTARIO
EWAN
NOVA SCOTIA
NEW
BRUNSWICK
INTRODUCTION
Canada is an increasingly attractive destination for international students looking to further
their education abroad. In addition to the country’s newcomer-friendly policies, Canada offers
international students many world-renowned educational institutions to choose from, as
well as reasonable tuition costs and living expenses. Additionally, Canada has a well-defined
post-study pathway for those looking to stay in the country, work, and eventually become
permanent residents.
Canada is also a vast country, made up of 10 provinces and three territories, with two official
languages: English and French. How does the higher education system function across this large,
diverse, bilingual country?
In each province or territory, departments or ministries of education are responsible for schools
at the post-secondary level (and lower). According to the Council of Ministers of Education,
Canada, there are 163 recognized public and private universities, and 183 recognized public
colleges and institutes in the country. Recognized post-secondary institutions award degrees,
diplomas, certificates, and other credentials.
Canadian Colleges and Universities | © 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
1
TOP-RANKED CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES
Did you know that 26 of the most highly ranked universities in the world are in Canada? The
following are Canada’s top 10 universities, as of 2018:
The Top 10 Universities in Canada
# OF FULL-TIME % OF INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTION
STUDENTS STUDENTS
1 University of Toronto 72,202 19%
2 University of British Columbia 53,566 30%
3 McGill University 31,060 28%
4 McMaster University 24,602 16%
5 University of Montreal 37,311 23%
6 University of Alberta 31,844 26%
7 University of Ottawa 35,002 18%
8 Western University 29,732 17%
9 University of Calgary 27,489 19%
10 University of Waterloo 32,395 18%
Source: Times Higher Education: World University Rankings
Canadian Colleges and Universities | © 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
2
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLLEGE AND
UNIVERSITY IN CANADA
In Canada, there are significant differences between higher education institutions labeled
colleges and those designated universities. Knowing the distinctions will help you decide which
institution is the better option for you.
Canadian Colleges
Unlike in the United States, where the term college refers to local or community schools that confer
undergraduate degrees, the college system in Canada was developed to provide technical training
and diplomas that respond to shifting labour trends and the needs of a changing economy.
Canadian colleges tend to:
• serve local communities
• focus on preparing students for professions in the trades
• provide students with career training, such as apprenticeships
• develop students’ employment skills with a focus on vocational training
• have smaller class sizes that provide more individualized attention per student
• offer short-term certificate and diploma programs
Canadian Universities
Universities are academic institutions regulated by provincial legislation, but they are
autonomous when it comes to academic matters, such as setting the course for their own
programs, the hiring of faculty and instructors, and establishing policies and procedures. Distinct
Canadian Colleges and Universities | © 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
3
from colleges, which award diplomas and certificates, universities in Canada are defined as
degree-granting institutions that offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Canadian universities typically:
• focus on developing students’ analytical skills
• provide academic and professional programs
• have larger class sizes
• offer degree programs that take approximately three to four years to complete
• require significant self-directed study and student independence
Many international students and newcomers to Canada initially gravitate toward colleges
because they are more affordable, offer shorter programs, and allow students to secure a quick,
stackable credential that can translate to more immediate employment opportunities. However,
if you are looking to obtain your undergraduate degree, or pursue a professional career in a field
such as medicine, law, academia, or research, then a university is the better option. Whether you
choose a college or university depends on your academic goals and future career aspirations.
Although four-year bachelor’s degrees are the standard, some Canadian
universities in certain provinces, such as Ontario and Quebec, offer three-
QUICK FACT year bachelor’s degree programs.
Canadian Colleges and Universities | © 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
4
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Each post-secondary institution has its own set of rules that determine how to apply, which level
of English or French is required, and the application and study fees.
Although there is no central online application service for higher education admissions across
all of Canada, many provinces have their own centralized application service for undergraduate
and professional degree programs. In some provinces, you may need to apply directly to the
university via its website.
There are multiple centralized application services for Ontario, Canada’s most populous province.
The Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) is the central bureau whose key function
is the processing of applications for admission to the province’s universities. The following are
divisions within OUAC for different programs of study:
• The Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) is a nonprofit centralized
application service for applicants to the province’s six medical schools: Michael G.
DeGroote School of Medicine (McMaster University), Northern Ontario School of Medicine,
the University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, the University of Toronto, and the Schulich
School of Medicine & Dentistry (Western University).
• The Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS) is a
centralized application service for Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational
Therapy (OT), Audiology (AUD), and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) programs
at McMaster University, Queen’s University, the University of Toronto, and Western
University.
• The Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS) is a nonprofit centralized
application service for applicants to the seven Ontario law schools: Bora Laskin Law
School, Osgoode Hall Law School (York University), the University of Ottawa, Queen’s
University, the University of Toronto, Western University, and the University of Windsor.
• The Teacher Education Application Service (TEAS) is a nonprofit centralized application
service for applicants to the Faculties of Education at the following institutions: Brock
University, Lakehead University, Laurentian University, Nipissing University, the University
of Ottawa, Queen’s University, Trent University, the University of Ontario Institute of
Technology, Western University, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Windsor, and
York University.
• Ontariocolleges.ca is the centralized undergraduate application service for student
admissions to the province’s colleges.
If you plan to apply to undergraduate programs in Alberta, check to see if your chosen school
participates in the province’s central application service, ApplyAlberta. For British Columbia,
refer to the ApplyBC central application service. To find the links to the central application
services for other provinces, such as Quebec, check out the website for the Canadian
Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).
When applying to Canadian post-secondary institutions, be sure to carefully check the application
deadlines for international students on each school’s website. Typically, application deadlines
for international students are very early—about eight months before the program start date—
Canadian Colleges and Universities | © 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
5
to allow the students time to apply for study permits. Application deadlines vary by region,
institution, and program, so confirm the deadlines and apply as early as possible.
APPLICATION PROCESS CHECKLIST
When applying to Canadian colleges and universities, you will need to submit official documents
from your authorized educational institution to provide proof of your academic credentials.
These may include:
• transcripts
• mark sheets
• diplomas
• degree certificates
If these documents are not in English or French, you may need to provide a certified or
official translation.
The checklist below will help guide you through the application process:
Choose your school
You can research schools online using the searchable databases Universities Canada and
Colleges and Institutes Canada. If you are able, attend a post-secondary education fair in
Canada. You will meet with recruitment and admissions staff, faculty, and current students to
learn more about the school and program you are interested in attending.
Gather your documents
It is likely easier and quicker if you gather all your supporting documents while you are still in
your country of origin.
Prepare and submit your application and supporting documents
Visit specific college and university websites to determine whether you meet the admissions
requirements (this will depend on your grades, language proficiency, academic credentials,
and other factors). Once you determine that you are eligible, apply on the school’s website or,
if applicable, through the centralized application service. Consider applying to more than one
program or university, in case you are not admitted to your top choice school.
Secure a study permit
Apply for your permit as soon as possible after receiving your admission letter.
Canadian Colleges and Universities | © 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
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Study Permits
Obtaining your study permit will likely be the most time-consuming part of the application
process. International students who plan to study for six months or longer at a Canadian
educational institution will need to secure a study permit before they arrive. You can find more
information about how to apply for a study permit on the Government of Canada’s website.
You can apply in one of two ways:
• apply online
• send in a paper application
To obtain a study permit, you will need to provide the following:
• proof of adequate funds for tuition, living, and transportation expenses
• evidence that you are coming to Canada to study and not for other purposes
• grounds that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies
You may also be required to provide the following documents or information:
• police certificate
• medical certificate
• biometrics, such as fingerprints and a photo
The Government of Canada’s website and your university’s international office are your best
resources when it comes to navigating the study permit process.
Canadian Colleges and Universities | © 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
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CREDENTIAL EVALUATIONS
As part of the admissions process, the Canadian institution to which you are applying will
need to understand and evaluate your previously completed academic credentials. You
may need to obtain a credential evaluation to document these academic achievements.
credential evaluation is a report that compares your international academic
A
accomplishments to standards in Canada. This document helps Canadian
institutions and schools understand the value of your educational background.
Although some Canadian educational institutions assess international credentials in-house,
others may require that an external service, such as World Education Services (WES), perform
the credential evaluation.
The Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC) is made up of the six
academic credential assessment services in Canada. Each ACESC member is committed to
providing credential evaluations of the highest quality. When you order a credential evaluation
from a member of ACESC, you know that the report you receive will be fair, accurate, and reliable.
ACESC comprises the following six organizations:
• World Education Services (WES)
• Comparative Education Service
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• International Qualifications Assessment Service
• International Credential Evaluation Service
• Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion du Québec
Before you order a credential evaluation, be sure to check with the educational institution
requesting the report to find out if you need to use a specific organization, and which type
of credential evaluation you should order. For more information about international degree
recognition in Canada, CICIC is a useful resource.
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WES CREDENTIAL EVALUATIONS
The Canadian institution to which you are applying may refer you to WES for a credential
evaluation. WES provides basic and detailed credential evaluations for higher education,
professional licensing, immigration, and employment purposes.
If you want to pursue higher education in Canada, you will most likely need to order either a
document-by-document evaluation or a course-by-course evaluation.
The basic document-by-document evaluation is typically used for first-year university admissions.
The more comprehensive course-by-course evaluation is generally used for:
• graduate university admissions
• post-graduate diploma admissions
• transfer admissions
• admissions to professional degree programs, such as medicine, law, or science
However, these are general guidelines. You should check with the school you want to attend to
see which report it needs.
It is important to know that WES document-by-document and course-by-course evaluation
reports serve multiple purposes and do not have an expiry date. This means that you can use your
credential evaluation for much more than just college and university admissions. Your report can
help you find employment, meet licensing board requirements, and much more—it is a document
that provides real lifetime value.
Are you ready to start the credential evaluation process? Apply now.
Canadian Colleges and Universities | © 2018 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
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CONCLUSION
Continuing your education in Canada can help you reach your academic goals, further your
career, and expand your professional opportunities. Whether you decide to enrol at a college to
obtain a certificate or diploma, or at a university to obtain a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree, a
Canadian credential will take you far!
RESOURCES
• Colleges and Institutes Canada
• Universities Canada
• The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC)
• Government of Canada: Study in Canada as an International Student
• WENR: Education in Canada
• Studying in Canada: Resources and Links for Students
• Canadian Bureau for International Education’s Student Centre
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10
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