Fact Sheet No 1
This fact sheet has been compiled to provide general answers to some of the most frequent questions we receive from outside Canada.
1. How can I learn more about Canadian universities and colleges, and their programs and admission requirements?
University and college calendars are the best sources of information about programs offered by specific institutions. These publications usually provide information about entrance requirements, student services, housing, tuition fees and other costs, scholarships, and a variety of other subjects of interest to prospective students. You can obtain calendars by writing directly to the university's or college's Office of Admissions.
On our Web site, you can consult our Directory of Universities, Colleges and Schools in the Provinces and Territories of Canada, which lists Canada's recognized, authorized, registered and licensed institutions, as well as links to their home pages, where such exist: http://www.cicdi.ca/395/directory-of-universities-colleges-and-schools-in-canada.canada.
There are several other sources of information about Canada's universities and colleges.
You can visit the nearest Canadian diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your country or consult the following resources on the Internet:
You can write directly to, or visit the Web sites of, the following organizations for information on:
- University programs
- Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
600-350 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 1B1
Canada
Tel: (613) 563-1236 / Fax: (613) 563-9745
Web site: http://www.aucc.ca/
College programs - Association of Canadian Community Colleges
1223 Michael Street North, Suite 200
Gloucester, Ontario K1J 7T2
Canada
Tel: (613) 746-2222 / Fax: (613) 746-6721
Web site: http://www.accc.ca/
Private career college programs - National Association of Career Colleges
233 Colbourne Street, Suite #403
P.O. Box 340
Brantford, Ontario N3T 5N3
Canada
Tel.: (519) 753-8689
Fax: (519) 753-4712
Web site: http://www.nacc.ca/
Studying in Canada - Canadian Bureau for International Education
220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1100
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5Z9
Canada
Tel: (613) 237-4820 / Fax: (613) 237-1073
Web site: http://www.cbie.ca/
French and English second-language programs - Languages Canada
PO Box 223
Ottawa, Ontario K1C 1S7
Canada
Tel: (613) 845-0288
Languages Canada
5886 – 169A Street
Surrey, BC V3S 6Z8
Canada
Tel: (604) 574-1532
email: info@languagescanada.ca
http://www.languagescanada.ca/
2. How do I find out which are the best universities and colleges in Canada?
There is no formal ranking of universities and colleges in Canada. Although a number of agencies accredit professional programs such as medicine, nursing, law, engineering, etc., there is no pan-Canadian institutional accrediting body to evaluate the quality of universities and colleges. In fact, it is widely recognized that, across the country, postsecondary programs are remarkably uniform in quality. For a more in-depth study of recognition and accreditation procedures in Canada, you may refer to our publication Quality Assurance Practices for Postsecondary Institutions in Canada.
3. How do I find out if an institution is officially recognized?
Provincial legislation grants charters to universities giving them the right to operate as degree-granting institutions. Similarly, provincial legislation regulates the establishment of colleges. In the absence of a national accrediting body for institutions, individuals should verify whether an institution is recognized or authorized to grant degrees, diplomas, or certificates by contacting the ministry or department responsible for postsecondary education in a given province or territory or by visiting our Web site at http://www.cicdi.ca/395/directory-of-universities-colleges-and-schools-in-canada.canada. If you need more information, please contact CICIC directly.
4. Will my education or training from a Canadian institution be accepted once I return home?
Because of the diversity of systems in various countries, there is no general answer to this question. The requirements for admission to educational programs or entry into an occupation vary around the world and change constantly. It is advisable that applicants enquire about recognition of Canadian studies with the competent authorities (professional organizations, higher education institutions, government bodies, and regulatory agencies governing professions) in their country of origin or in the place where they intend to further their studies or practise their occupation. While no authority can guarantee acceptance of a foreign degree, it is a good idea to verify its probable value before leaving your country.
5. How do I apply for admission?
Once you have decided to which universities or colleges you wish to apply to for admission, you should write directly to the institution's Office of Admissions (for undergraduate and college programs) or Office of Graduate Admissions (for graduate programs) and ask for detailed application information and forms. The Office of Admissions will inform you about the documentation, translation, and visa requirements. Please note that the admission application process can take considerable time, and that you should start at leastone year in advance to compile the necessary information and documentation.
In some jurisdictions, applications can be submitted electronically. Individuals interested in applying should visit the following Web sites:
- Alberta
- Alberta Learning Information Service - Electronic Application Service
http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/learning/ao/postsecondary.asp
British Columbia - Post-Secondary Application Service of British Columbia (PASBC)
https://portal.bccampus.ca/render.userLayoutRootNode.uP?uP_tname=Login_and_Apply_for_Admission
Ontario - Ontario Universities Application Centre
http://www.ouac.on.ca/
- Ontario College Application Service
http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/
Quebec (Cegeps) - Montreal region: http://www.sram.qc.ca/
- Quebec City region: http://www.sraq.qc.ca/
- Saguenay/Lac St-Jean region: http://www.sras.qc.ca/
The decision of the institution is usually announced within four to six months of the application deadline, although this can vary from one university or college to another.
6. Do I need to pass a language test to qualify for admission?
Most institutions in Canada require demonstration of proficiency in their language of instruction (either English or French), usually through the achievement of a certain minimum score in a standardized language test. You should confirm the details of the language requirement with the Office of Admissions of the university or college to which you are applying.
If you are looking for an assessment of your English language proficiency, consider the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment. This test effectively measures your ability in reading, listening, writing and speaking proficiency for academic purposes. For detailed information and test dates, check out http://www.cael.ca.
7. How can I get an assessment of my foreign qualifications?
In Canada each university or college sets its own admission requirements and its own criteria for recognizing academic qualifications obtained abroad. Therefore, you must contact the Office of Admissions of the university or college of your choice to enquire about the procedures required to assess international qualifications. They will inform you about requirements for translation and authentication of your documents.
However, if you wish to obtain an assessment of your qualifications for information purposes, you can consult one of the credentials evaluation services listed below. Please note that these agencies charge a fee for their services.
Although these services offer expert advice on how credentials obtained outside Canada compare with credentials from a Canadian province or territory, the evaluation is advisory only and does not guarantee recognition of your credentials for purposes of admission to a postsecondary institution in Canada. However, it will assist postsecondary institutions in understanding your academic background. The credential evaluation service you choose will also advise you about document and translation requirements. If you intend to apply for admission, be sure to verify with the institution of your choice whether they will accept the assessment done by these services.