Study in Canada : Education System

Education in Canada is under the complete jurisdiction of the provinces and territories. Under the Canadian constitution each of the provinces and territories have their own responsibility for education. The Canadian Education System encompasses both publicly funded and private schools, from kindergarten to University. The academic year usually starts in September and ends in May. It is normally divided into two semesters. Some institutes operate on semester or trimester system and admit students in January , May and September.

Post secondary education is offered by four types of educational institutions:

Universities: Canadian universities are largely public funded, and, as a result, offer consistently high quality education at lower tuition rates for international students than their counterparts in competing countries. Degrees from Canadian Universities are considered to be equivalent to those from American and other Commonwealth Universities. They offer a broad range of courses and a full range of Degrees from Undergraduate to Doctorates. They also offer Certificates and Professional Degrees. To qualify for a Degree program at a English-speaking universities, students for whom English is not a first language must have passed an English examination test. The TOEFL is commonly accepted but Canadian Universities often have their own tests for students or may accept other English tests such as the IELTS.

University Colleges: As a component of the Canadian University system, University Colleges offer students a choice of either academic oriented University Degree Programmes or the more practical-oriented College Diplomas and Certificates.

Community colleges and technical institutes: Community Colleges and Technical Institutes have the primary function of responding to the training needs of Business, Industry and the Public Service Sectors. The Community Colleges offer Certificate and Diploma programmes in career and vocational training.

Technical/ Career College : These are privately owned and operated Schools with the main objective of preparing students for a job after a short period of instruction. The emphasis at career colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of Programmes. They specialize in such areas as Business, Computers, and Secretarial skills. Although privately owned, these institutes are provincially approved and regulated, ensuring that Programme standards and quality are maintained.