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How To Choose Right Canadian College Or University
More and more International Students are choosing Canada as their overseas education destination due to its high quality of education. But Students remain confused between choosing College versus University in Canada to study. Both Universities & Colleges in Canada are different types of institutions to Study in Canada and their working styles are different. They also design their programs individually & separately. Lets’ try to understand the difference between College versus University in Canada, and what should be the choice?
Education Systems: India & Canada
Lets’ first try to understand the India education system post-secondary phase. In India, large universities are given the responsibility to create, define, and deliver the courses in various streams. These universities create the curriculum for Bachelor’s, Master’s & Ph.D.’s programs for various streams such as science, arts, management, engineering, medical & commerce etc. In addition to these universities, there are several colleges in India affiliated to these large universities and offer their programs. They are guided by the regulations of the universities. Colleges offer a smaller subset of programs whose curriculum are designed by universities. For example, an engineering college affiliated to a university can only offer engineering programs. It can’t offer any other programs from other faculties of the university.
However, Universities & Colleges in Canada work independently unlike in India. Both are mutually exclusively responsible for design & implementation of their programs. But both Universities & Colleges in Canada are governed by provincial governments to ensure high quality of education.
College versus University in Canada
For easier understanding, this blog post is highlighting the comparison difference between College versus University in Canada. A student has to themselves make the comparison and take the decision best suited for him. Choice of choosing between college & university in Canada depends on the student’s academic background, profile, financial capacity and other preferences. Let’s see the comparison:
- Fundamental Difference
| Colleges | Universities |
| College systems are more career-oriented than universities to Study in Canada. Colleges in Canada focus on offering technical training & diplomas only. They are limited to offering only certificate programs of 1 year or less and Diploma programs of generally 2 to 3 years. Their primary role & responsibility is in providing specific employment skills & apprenticeship training. | Universities in Canada are autonomous bodies and are regulated by provincial legislation. They focus on granting bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees only. Universities are concerned with academic & professional programs only. They have a responsibility to provide a holistic wider view of any subject. It takes 3-4 years to complete any university degree. |
- Class Size
| Colleges | Universities |
| Colleges in Canada have smaller size classes and also student-faculty ratio is low. It may prove advantageous to students who want special attention from teachers to perform better. Many students prefer the shorter certificate & diploma programs for better career opportunities. They have to study only that field in which they want to make their career in. | Universities in Canada have a very high student-faculty ratio with a large class size. Universities offer more independence in their programs compared to college programs. In the later years of their course, students can concentrate more on their areas of interest. Universities are a better choice for those who want to Study in Canada who don’t want quick programs and want to widen their Knowledge. |
- Fee Structure
| Colleges | Universities |
| The Tuition Fee per year for a Bachelor’s degree program ranges between CAD 25,000-40,000 (approx.) and for a Master’s degree program in Canada costs between CAD 25,000-75,000 approx. | The Tuition Fees at Colleges are generally less than Universities in Canada. It generally varies between CAD 12,000-25,000 approx. |
- Scholarships
| Colleges | Universities |
| Not many scholarship options are available for Colleges in Canada. However, it doesn’t make a difference since the fee structures are already low to Study in Canada. | Universities offer a lot of merit-based scholarships to financially needy & eligible students. Besides scholarships, universities also offer financial aid also. |
Work Permit
| Colleges | Universities |
| College students in Canada can apply for one-year work permits only if they have completed their 1-yr certificate program. If they’ve completed their diploma of 3 years, they are eligible for a work permit of 3 years. | University students in Canada can apply for a 3-year work permit, if they’ve completed their bachelor’s or master’s degree. It also allows Students Canada to reside & gain employment service. |
- Eligibility Criteria
| Colleges | Universities |
| UG Diplomas:10+2 full-time education50-55% in 12th standards | Bachelors:10+2 full-time education 60% in 12th standard |
| PG Diplomas:10+2+3 full-time education50-55% in Bachelors | Masters:10+2+4 full-time education65% & above in Bachelors |
Best Colleges in Canada for International Students
- Durham College
- Fleming College
- Humber College
- Centennial College
- Seneca College
- Fanshawe College
- George Brown College
- Sheridan College
Best Universities in Canada for International Students
- University of Toronto
- University of Montreal
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Waterloo
- McMaster University
- University of Alberta
College vs. University in Canada: What should I prefer?
Choosing a College or University to Study in Canada depends on many factors such as your academic background, financial budget and your career goals. If you are a student with a bright academic record but not strong financially, then it’s best to choose any of the Universities in Canada and apply for merit-based scholarships. On the other hand, if you’re interested in making a career in less time, then Colleges in Canada should be your topmost priority. Whatever options you choose, Universities & Colleges in Canada, you won’t be disappointed since the quality of education is too high in Canada. If you have found this article to be useful, kindly share this post.