F - Colleges, Cégeps, And Polytechnics in Canada - Canada Course for Education Agents - Online...

F - Colleges, Cégeps, and Polytechnics in Canada

F1 Overview

Colleges and polytechnic institutes offer industry-related and professional programs of study leading to

certificates and diplomas and some degree programs (e.g., bachelor of commerce or technology degrees).

These institutions are very similar to Training and Further Education (TAFE) colleges in Australia or

community colleges in the US. They tend to focus on training and skills development through hands-on

experience, and often include a co-op component where a real-world work term related to the study program

counts toward the credential.

Did You Know?

Here are just some examples of programs international students could choose from at colleges or

polytechnics in Canada:

3D computer graphics

Agriculture and agri-food

Aviation and aerospace

Business studies

Broadcasting and journalism

Culinary and nutrition

Digital mapping

Digital media and animation

Early childhood education

Electronic game design

Engineering technology

Environment and natural resources

Genetics technology

Health information management

Health sciences

Industrial education/skilled trades

Information technology

Renewable energies

Social services

Tourism and hospitality

International students often say colleges and polytechnics feel comfortable as places to experience education

in Canada, since these institutions’ small class sizes allow them to practise language skills and build

friendships more easily. As well, they appreciate the access to industry-experienced faculty and co-op,

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internship, and other work placement opportunities, all of which lead to practical, hands-on experience in the

field of their choice.

F1.1- Focus Questions

F2 Understanding the Options

Polytechnics

Canadian polytechnic institutions deliver a broad range of applied, hands-on, and practical education that:

Is geared to employers or specific jobs.

Is technology-intensive.

Is designed to prepare the student for high-quality employment.

Offer a wide range of credentials, including bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, apprenticeships, certificates,

graduate offerings, continuing education and corporate training including co-op and applied research.

There is a strong link between industry/employers and students and faculty in polytechnics. Often, businesses

will approach polytechnic institutions to conduct applied research with students to meet their innovation

needs.

Polytechnics in Canada host nearly 180,000 full-time students, over 53,000 part-time students, and over

17,000 international students.

There are 21 degree-granting colleges and polytechnics throughout Canada.

Colleges

Colleges are learning institutions geared toward applied, practical education and training. Students acquire

advanced, industry-specific skills that often lead directly to employment. Graduates emerge with what they

need to satisfy specific job requirements in fields such as dental hygiene, police technology, graphic design,

and social work (to name just a few).

Some colleges offer university preparation programs (a mandatory requirement for entrance into

undergraduate programs in Quebec universities). These institutions of practical learning are variably called

colleges, regional colleges, centres, colleges of applied arts and technology, community colleges, institutes,

or Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (Cégep in Quebec).

There are 152 colleges 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–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. More than 5,000 Indian university

graduates are currently in Canadian colleges and polytechnics taking such post-graduate certificates in order


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to obtain employment back home or in Canada.

Three-to-four-year bachelor’s degrees provide job-focused education in fields such as industrial design,

e-commerce, criminal justice, and construction science and management.

The college school year parallels the university calendar, and runs 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.

Degree-granting colleges are a relatively new phenomenon, with the degree-granting power in the hands of

each province. To ensure rigorous academic quality, the provincial ministries of education determine which

institutions are allowed to offer bachelor’s and applied degrees.

Why Would International Students Choose a College or Polytechnic?

Despite some differences in polytechnics’ and colleges’ style of education (polytechnics can be more

technological vs. colleges’ more vocational emphasis), they are similar in their focus on preparing students

for the real world of work. Universities, by contrast, are often more concerned with academics and research

than in preparation for specific occupations.

Both colleges and polytechnic institutions 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 polytechnics 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.

Increasingly, colleges and polytechnics 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.

Some colleges offer transfer programs that enable participants to complete courses through the college and

then later transfer into a university or university college, sometimes with credit toward their university

degrees. Thus colleges can either be the full educational experience for an international student, or only a

part, if the student wants both college and university education.

Under a university transfer arrangement, the student would typically do one or two years at a college and

then two years at a university. The benefits to the international student of such a transfer arrangement are:

Smaller classes at the beginning (during the college portion of the study program), with more


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support.

A more applied and practical study program than university alone, with opportunities for placements

with industry while at college.

A lower cost than university alone.

In addition, a growing trend is students enrolling in college and polytechnic programs after graduation from

a university in order to get the skills and expertise needed to prepare for the workforce.

Information International Students Will Need to Know When Considering Colleges/Polytechnics

When it comes to exploring college/polytechnic options, international students:

May already have some experience in the field of study. They may want to study at a Canadian college

or polytechnic to increase their credentials or improve their job prospects. Or, they may have no

experience at all. The agent will face a variety of student profiles when it comes to those interested in

college or polytechnic education.

Will be as interested in program and/or degree options as the institution itself when they consider a

college or polytechnic education.

Will care about the length of time various program options require (for example, a diploma will take

less time than a degree).

May be interested in the transferability of a college/polytechnics credits or degrees to universities

particularly if they already hold college or university credentials from their home country and seek an

expedient education that will quickly provide transferability of credentials and knowledge for

employment.

The program offerings and types of credential offered will vary widely across colleges and polytechnics. It is

crucial for the agent to research these carefully before advising the student on study choices.

F2.1- Focus Questions

F3 Resources

Agents can consult these helpful online resources:

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC): The Canadian Information Centre

for International Credentials (CICIC) collects, organizes, and distributes information—and acts as a national

clearing house and referral service—to support the recognition and portability of Canadian and international

educational and occupational qualifications.

Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC): The Association of Canadian Community

Colleges (ACCC) is the national, voluntary membership organization that represents colleges and institutes

by interacting with government, business, and industry, in Canada and internationally. ACCC provides a

database of over 8,000 college and institute programs available nationwide.


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Polytechnics Canada: Polytechnics Canada is a national alliance that represents the leading polytechnic

institutions in Canada. At present, the current nine members offer 86 standalone bachelor’s degrees in

addition to all other college-level programs, as well as apprenticeship programs.

Fédération des cégeps: Promoting education at the college level, and more specifically in the general and

vocational colleges known as Cégeps, the Fédération des cégeps is a voluntary umbrella organization of the

48 public Cégeps in Québec.


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