Competent authorities responsible for education in the provinces and territories of Canada collaborate to maintain the CICIC Directory of Educational Institutions in Canada. The following table provides a general overview of terminology used to describe these institutions.
|
Legislative Status
|
Academic Credential Type
|
Administrative Status
|
Sample Nomenclature
|
Government Funding
|
|
· Recognized or authorized
|
· Degree granting |
· Public
|
· University, university college, college, institute, polytechnic
|
· Yes
|
| · Private |
· University, university college, college, institute, theological school
|
· In certain cases
|
· Non-degree granting
|
· Public
|
· College, institute, cégep
|
· Yes |
· Private
|
· College, institute
|
· In certain cases
|
· Registered/licensed
|
· Non-degree granting
|
· Private
|
· Private career college, vocational school, language school, flight school |
· No |
· Other
|
· Non-degree granting
|
· Private
|
· Language school, flight school, other designated learning institution (DLI)
|
· No
|
You can read more information about the Directory of Educational Institutions in Canada, which includes a complete listing of terminology and definitions in use.
Comprehensive review of this information: March 2021