When you settle in Canada, you and your family will have access to one of the highest quality education systems in the world. The OECD ranks Canada as one of the top performers in reading literacy, math, and science.
Education is a provincial government responsibility in Canada. In Ontario, education is governed principally by the Education Act and its regulations. The Education Act and its regulations set out the duties and responsibilities of the Minister of Education and the duties and responsibilities of school boards, school board supervisory officers, principals, teachers, parents, and students.
Tips for Choosing a Post-Secondary School
You have decided to go back to school. Congratulations!
Having made that big decision you are now faced with another question – which school do you choose?
Here are some tips to help you decide.
Quick Is Not Always Better
I like to use the comparison of cooking with a microwave or an oven. Although the microwave is great for popcorn, it isn’t good for cooking a big dinner. Some private career colleges offer 6-month programs that may be a good option for upgrading or refreshing your skills. However, a 6-month program will never compare with a 2 – 4-year program.
Where Did Your Future Co-Workers Study?
When choosing a program, don’t hesitate to ask people working in the field where they studied. Too shy to ask? Go onto some of the website forums and ask online or research the profession profile. Professional Associations will be happy to give you any advice you might need. Your future success is in their best interest.
Beware of the “Heavy Sales” Approach
If a school is trying to talk you into enrolling into a program or attempting to get you to “sign on the dotted line,” be careful. Also, beware of any school that is willing to make compromises on the course of study. For example, if they will waive a placement or shorten the program for you.
Question the Claims
Some schools will make large claims, such as “Our graduates have a 97% employment rate!” Ask questions like, where did their students get employed and in what period of time did they get employed?
Labor market statistics can be easily manipulated too. For example, if I told you that there was a 100% increase in a certain field in the past year that could simply mean that last year there was 1 person employed and this year there are 2 people. Use trustworthy sources of labor market information.
Can You Get This Training Free or at Low Cost?
There are great adult learning centers across Ontario, which offer courses in different subjects, such as hairdressing, business, caregiving, and computers. Check with your municipality for general and continuing education courses. Sometimes you can get a reduced rate on the tuition costs if you have a low-income.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions
Visit your local employment or career centre for help with identifying your career goals and the training you need to get there. You can visit online forums, such as the Settlement.Org Discussion Forum, and ask others for their feedback.
Choosing the right school can be very important in determining your future path. Your research will be well worth it. Good luck!
Applying for admission to a university or college in Canada
Each school (college or university) can decide on admission requirements and select which students to accept.
Generally, you can apply to a college or university in 1 of these categories:
- “Domestic” student – You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- International or “Foreign” student – You are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You will need a study permit.
Generally, international students must pay a higher tuition rate for college and university programs. In some cases, the tuition is double or triple the amount that domestic students pay.
Some colleges and universities have different tuition rates for children and dependents of diplomats, and children or dependents of people with some kind of work permit.
In Ontario, all children 18 years old and younger can attend public elementary and secondary schools, regardless of their immigration status or the status of their parents. However, this law does not apply to colleges and universities.
Applying to a University
To apply to an Ontario university, you must submit your application to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). The OUAC processes application for all Ontario universities.
The deadline to apply depends on whether you are currently in high school, and which kind of program you are applying to. For example, professional programs usually have different deadlines than undergraduate (Bachelor’s) programs. You can find information about application deadlines on the OUAC website.
Applying to a College
To apply to an Ontario college, you must submit your application to the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS). OCAS processes the applications for public colleges in Ontario. If you are accepted to a college, you also send your response to the OCAS. The OCAS will respond to the college for you.
Unlike universities, colleges do not have the same kind of final application deadline. Generally, colleges consider all applications that they receive by a certain date together; after that date, they consider applications on a first-come, first-served basis. You can find out information about the application dates on the OCAS webpage – When to Apply.
You can contact a community agency for more information. To find help, go to Services Near Me and search for “settlement services” in your area.
For More Information
- Ontario Universities – A list of Ontario’s universities, including website links and contact information.
- Ontario Colleges – A list of Ontario’s colleges, including website links and contact information.
- Studying in Canada – Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for people planning to come to Canada as international students.
- Information for Students Educated Abroad Applying for Admission to Canadian Universities and Colleges – Answers to some basic questions includes links to relevant organizations and resources.
- International Students – This webpage has information about coming to Ontario as an international student, and working while you study and after you graduate. It is from the Ontario Immigration website.
- Help! I went to a foreign high school – Information about applying to college or university in Ontario if you went to a high school outside of Canada. From NewYouth.ca, a website for young newcomers to Ontario.
Applying for a study permit in Canada
If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, then you might need a study permit to study in Canada.
Important note: Several new regulations came into place for international students on June 1, 2014.
If you plan to study in a short-term program for 6 months or less, you do not need a study permit. You may do this while holding a visitor visa. But, you can apply for a study permit if you want to.
It is a good idea to apply for a study permit if you think you might want to study in another program after you complete the first program. If you already have a study permit, you can apply to extend your permit from inside Canada as long as you are still enrolled in school. However, if you do not have a study permit, you will have to apply for one outside of Canada, with some exceptions.
If you plan to study in a program for more than 6 months, you need a study permit.
What would you need to apply
To apply for a study permit, you need:
- An acceptance letter from a designated learning institution;
- Proof of identity (such as a passport or travel document) for you and any family members who come with you to Canada;
- To be a law-abiding citizen without a criminal record;
- Proof that you have enough money to pay school fees and support yourself and any family members who come with you while you study; and,
- To assure an immigration officer that you and any family members who come with you will leave Canada after you finish your studies.
Depending on your citizenship, you might also need:
- To pass a medical exam; and/or
- To get a temporary resident visa (or “entry visa”).
You have to apply through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
For More Information
- Studying in Canada – Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for people planning to come to Canada as international students.
- Avoiding Delays with Your Study Permit – This webpage outlines important tips that may help speed up your study permit application. From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- International Students – This webpage has information about coming to Ontario as an international student, and working while you study and after you graduate. From the Ontario Immigration website.
