Education in Canada

Wherever students decide to study, at whatever level, they can be sure of getting a degree, diploma, or certificate that will be recognized the world over. Canada is among the leaders in the G8 in terms of its per capita investment in education, leading to high-quality and well-respected faculty, programs, and institutions.

• Each Canadian province and territory have its own quality assurance mechanisms to ensure high educational standards are met, and there are robust laws, policies, and procedures that govern the operation of all K-12 and post-secondary institutions. Each province also offers students the ability to student in English, in French, or in both.
• Canadian students are consistently ranked among the top academic performers in reading, math, and science according to ongoing OECD and PISA research. Moreover, students gain practical skills and hands-on training and generally have easy access to professors.
• There are excellent resources to help agents/students find out how to evaluate how/ whether their existing academic credentials will be accepted in Canada. One of these resources can be found at www.cic.ca, a website that provides information on education credential assessment in Canada.
• Canada has an excellent reputation for transfers between levels/types of education, making studying here flexible and exciting—students don’t run into the bureaucratic roadblocks common in less flexible education systems. Moreover, Canada is known for its laws allowing eligible students to work in Canada while studying and after graduation, and for providing opportunities for eligible graduates to attain permanent residence.

International students often say colleges and institutes feel comfortable since these institutions’ small class sizes allow them to practise language skills and build friendships more easily with very strong support from centralized student services on and off campus. As well, they appreciate the access to industry-experienced faculty and co-op, internship, and other work placement opportunities, all of which lead to practical, hands-on experience in the field of their choice.

Elementary and Secondary Education

The systems of education in Canada are comprehensive and recognized internationally for their high quality. They are understood as “systems” of education because each province and territory has exclusive responsibility for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education within its borders. There is no national department of education; however, there are national mechanisms to facilitate recognition and transferability of course credits and credentials.

The basic structures of the education systems across Canada are similar: each system in every province/territory has three tiers—elementary, secondary, and post-secondary. Notable differences include:

• The grades at which each level begins and ends vary according to province/territory;
• Education is compulsory to the age of 15, 16, or 18, depending on the jurisdiction.
  All school boards across Canada offer educational programs for children aged five to 17–18 years old. The levels range from Kindergarten to grade 11 (in Quebec) or grade 12. However, school structures and grade groupings vary throughout Canada’s provinces:
• Elementary schools instruct students from kindergarten or grade 1 to grade 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.
• Middle schools typically enroll students in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8; however, the specific grades offered may vary by school and region.
• Junior high schools include grades 7, 8, and sometimes 9, offering a transition for students from elementary to high school.
• Secondary schools (high schools) begin with grade 8, 9, or 10 to 12, except for Quebec, where high school includes grades 7 to 11. Where offered, students may enroll in the International Baccalaureate Program or take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. It is also becoming increasingly popular for public schools to offer elite athletic and arts academy programs. 
  The typical school day includes five to six hours of class time, with the
  exception of kindergarten, which is half-day in some regions. The school year
  runs from September to June although some schools also offer a program
  year-round.

Private and Independent School (K-12 Education)

• International students not only receive excellent education at the K-12 levels, but also caring and supportive environments to live in, such as homestay with a Canadian family or dormitory at a private/boarding school.
• Approximately 95% of Canadian students attend public schools in Canada, but there are also wonderful private and independent school options.
• Courses are taught in English, French, or another language, depending on the school and its location. Some schools offer immersion programs to learn a second language.
• At the higher grades in K-12, core courses required for graduation ensure subject-specific curriculum standards are met, while optional courses enable students to explore interests and expand their knowledge in preferred subjects.
• Classrooms are made up of students from all different ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds, and students are encouraged to be global citizens and to value tolerance and respect for differences.

International students can expect to pay between $9,500 and $14,000 in tuition a year to study at the public elementary or secondary levels in Canada. Private or independent schools may have a higher tuition, particularly if they offer a low student–teacher ratio or enhanced/specialized learning opportunities. Tuition and boarding fees for K-12 private or independent schools in Canada, for example, ranges from $45,500 to $65,000.

Individual institutions establish their own admission policies and requirements for academic and language preparation. Once students complete their graduation requirements by the last year of secondary school, they can apply for admission to a post-secondary institution. Students should verify the admission requirements, including language proficiency, of each post- secondary institution they wish to apply to.

Following secondary school completion, students have various options for study:

• They can choose from colleges, universities, or technical institutes.
• They can choose to take diploma or certificate courses, or full degree programs.
• They can begin in one program or type of post-secondary institution, and then transfer to another as their interests and goals evolve.

College or Institute

Colleges and institutes work closely with industry to ensure courses reflect the skill requirements that employers need. They will provide practical training and many encourage work experience through supervised apprenticeships, work placements, and internships. This hands-on training ensures students move beyond academic learning to apply and test their skills in real workplace settings.

Colleges and institutes offer a vast range of programs in Information Communications and Technology (ICT) related fields, from certificates, diplomas, and degrees to graduate certificates. They train ICT technicians, technologists, and practitioners. They are also leaders in the delivery of e- learning technology and curriculum.

Most colleges and institutes across Canada involve students in applied research projects conducted with local businesses. This enriched learning experience exposes students to real-world challenges and new technologies and establishes key contacts within industry for potential job opportunities.

There are 135 colleges/institutes in Canada with over 1,000 college campuses within a range of settings—from urban centres to remote communities. Programs are offered in French, English, or both depending on the region. Many also offer combined distance-learning opportunities.

Over 8,000 programs with varying lengths of required study are offered nationwide. Shorter two- to three-year diploma programs train technicians, technologists, mid-level managers, and service providers. There are also one-year post-graduate certificates available to Canadian and international university graduates who wish to acquire applied and advanced skills for specific areas of employment.

Universities

Three- to four-year bachelor’s degrees provide job-focused education in a variety of fields.

The college/institute school year is the same as other post-graduate calendars, running from September through April or May, with spring and summer courses often available. Some institutions have a semester or trimester system allowing students to begin programs in September, January, or May. Quebec Cégeps offer two streams of education: three-year vocational and two-year pre-university programs.

Canadian college credentials are approved by provincial or territorial governments. Programs may also be accredited by independent industry or professional employer organizations. To ensure rigorous academic quality, the provincial ministries of education determine which institutions are allowed to offer bachelor’s and applied degrees.

Canada is a well-educated nation at the post-secondary level. The proportion of Canadians aged 25 to 64 with a post-secondary degree or diploma is 53%, the highest in the OECD. Graduate degrees from Canadian universities, including masters and doctoral degrees, are highly regarded internationally and generally offer competitive tuition fees.

University and college semesters generally run as follows:

• First semester: early September to mid-December
• Holiday break: mid-December to early January
• Second semester: early January to early May
• Summer holidays/Summer courses: May to September

Work in Canada

As one of the world’s leading economies Canada is a great destination for individuals seeking to work abroad. The Canadian Work Permit Visa allows business people, permanent workers, temporary workers, students and others to work in Canada.

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