Canada’s levels of study
Canada ranks among the top countries in the world for accessible, quality education for international students. In order to understand which program is right for you, first you must understand Canada’s levels of study.
All children in Canada are required by law to attend school. Schooling for children begins at the age of five or six and continues at least until the child is 16. The school system for Canadian children begins with elementary school and progresses to high school (or secondary school). This system is composed of twelve grades. Once a person completes Grade 12, they receive their high school diploma which makes them eligible for post-secondary education (college and university).
There are both private and public schools in Canada’s schooling system. While private schools may have specialized curriculums, programs, and resources, they often charge annual tuition rates for students. Public schools are fully funded by the Canadian government and teach government-mandated curriculums to their students.
A Canadian student only becomes eligible to attend college or university once they receive their high school diploma. If foreign national wishes to attend college or university in Canada, they should be able to demonstrate that they possess a high school diploma as well.
Types of Post-Secondary Education
Any educational program occurring at a level above the twelve-grade elementary and secondary school system is considered post-secondary education. There are a few different types of post-secondary education each with different purposes.
University
A university is a post-secondary educational institution that is authorized to grant degrees. Every university offers Bachelor’s Degree programs, and many also offer Master’s Degree programs and Ph.D. programs.
College
A college is a post-secondary educational institution that cannot grant degrees, though there are some exceptions to this. Instead, they usually offer programs resulting in certificates and/or diplomas. In general, college programs are more directly career-oriented when compared to universities. A college graduate may complete hands-on, practical training in an employable skill, like graphic design or culinary skills. Colleges often have courses to improve a person’s skills and employability, such as language training. As well, many colleges have training programs or apprenticeships in skilled trade occupations like carpentry or welding.
Trade School/Apprenticeships
A skilled trade refers to a specialized occupation, usually emphasizing some form of manual labour, which requires hands-on training and formal education. A skilled trade rarely requires a Bachelor’s Degree, so education in the trades usually occurs through trade schools, which are often smaller programs contained within colleges or vocational schools. As well, once an aspiring tradesperson has sufficient training, they may undertake an apprenticeship. As an apprentice, the student works closely with an experienced tradesperson to refine their skills in the trade.
Vocational School
A vocational school may have educational programs at either the secondary or post-secondary level, so it is not always necessary to have a high school diploma in order to attend vocational school. Vocational programs teach students the technical skills required to perform the tasks of a specific job. These programs prepare students to enter directly into the workforce, either in skilled or low-skilled occupations.
While there are separate terms for different types of schools at the post-secondary level these terms mean different things in locations around the world, so a college may refer to one type of school in Canada but something different in France. As well, sometimes these schools overlap, there can be colleges associated with universities or trade schools within colleges.
Associate Degree in Canada?
In some countries, an associate degree refers to an undergraduate degree awarded by a college or university upon completion of a course of study which is usually two years in length. The only province in Canada to offer associate degrees is the province of British Columbia, where a student can complete a two-year associate degree allowing students to then enter a Bachelor’s Degree program at the third year of study.
Outside of the province of British Columbia, associate degrees are not available, though other provinces do offer one- and two-year certificates and diplomas that can sometimes be transferred into Bachelor’s programs.
Difference Between Undergraduate and Graduate Education
Within a university, there are different levels of degrees. All Bachelor’s Degree programs are considered to be undergraduate programs. An undergraduate program is a more general program of study, focused on a certain field but not necessarily specializing in a certain topic. In contrast, a Master’s or Ph.D. level program is considered graduate education. Graduate programs are usually much smaller, highly specialized programs that emphasize research.
Difference Between Certificate and Diploma
The difference between a diploma and a certificate is the length of the program. Both of these levels of education provide students with training for entry directly into a specific occupation. A certificate generally requires one year of full-time study at a college or vocational institute while a diploma generally requires two years of full-time study at the same type of the institute. Some schools also offer advanced diplomas, which require the completion of at least three years of full-time study.
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