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Education
System in Canada
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Education in
Canada is under the complete jurisdiction of the provinces and territories and as such,
there is no federal education system in Canada. In keeping with the national commitment to
education, public education in Canada is free upto and including secondary school in all
the provinces. However, each provincial system, while similar to the others, reflects its
specific regional concerns, and historical and cultural heritage. At the post-secondary
level, institutions are divided into community colleges and universities. |
There
are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces of
Canada. Secondary schooling in Canada could go up to Grade 11, 12 or 13, depending on the
province unlike in India, where Grade 12 is standard all over the country. |
Post
secondary education is offered by four types of educational institutions: |
Universities
University Colleges
Community Colleges/Technical
Institutes
Career Colleges
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Universities:
Canadian universities are largely public funded, and, as a result, offer consistently high
quality education at lower tuition rates for international students than their
counterparts in competing countries. They offer a broad range of courses and
degrees from undergraduate to doctorate and also certificate and professional degrees.
University Colleges: As a component of the Canadian university system,
university colleges offer students a choice of either academic oriented university degree
programmes or the more practical-oriented college diplomas and certificates. As a
part of the Canadian college system, university colleges are distinguished by their strong
student support services, small classes and strong campus environments. They also
offer combined degree/diploma programmes and university transfer programmes.
Community colleges and technical institutes: They typically have a more
vocational-related curricula, with small classes, off-campus course offerings, a greater
ratio of laboratory space to class room space, and an interactive teaching style.
The uniqueness of Canadian colleges lies in the combination of employer-centered
curricula. These institutes have the primary function of responding to the
training needs of business, industry, and public service sectors. Most colleges and
technical institutes offer diplomas and certificates rather than degrees, however, more
and more now grant degrees and applied degrees.
Technical/ Career College : This is a privately owned and operated school
with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after a short period of
instruction. The emphasis at career colleges is on practical skills over a broad
range of programmes. They specialize in such areas as business, computers, and
secretarial skills. Although privately owned, these institutes are provincially
approved and regulated, ensuring that programmes standards and quality are maintained.
The academic year usually starts in September and ends in May, and is
normally divided into two semesters. Some institutes operate on a semester or
trimester system and admit students in January and/or May as well as September. Many
institutes offer a limited number of courses and special programmes during the summer
session. |
| Type of
Certification |
Certificate is a
qualification awarded upon successful completion of a programme which is usually one year
in length, and is offered at colleges.
Diploma is the
qualification awarded on the basis of one or two year’s successful study, and is
offered at colleges.
Undergraduate/bachelors
degrees are awarded by a university after four years of full-time study,
and lead to graduate level studies.
Graduate/post graduate
degrees lead to advanced degrees, diplomas and certificates. A
pre-requisite to participate in graduate studies is a bachelors/undergraduate degree (4
years).
M.B.A.
programmes will typically require a minimum of two to three years of relevant work
experience, GMAT score of 580-600, TOEFL score of 560-600, and a 4 year degree, and are
generally 2 years in duration, though a few institutes offer a fast track option.
Pre-requisites to participating
in a master’s programme is a four year bachelor’s degree with
high academic standing equivalent to a minimum mid-B grade in Canada (mid 70’s); at
least two academic letters of reference; and other qualifications as specified,
ie., TOEFL, GRE general and/or subject test. Master’s programmes
generally require two years to complete full time, and usually require a combination of
course work and thesis.
Doctorate or
Ph.D. is a degree ranking above a master’s degree, and generally
requires four to seven years to complete full time. A combination of course work,
original research, and a thesis is required. Prerequisites are typically a
master’s degree, although direct entry from a bachelor’s degree to a Ph.D.
programme may be possible depending on the school and programme. Minimum high-B
grade in Canada (high 70’s) is required; where relevant, demonstrated research
competence equivalent to at least a B+ grade; at least two academic letters of reference;
and other qualifications as specified, ie., TOEFL, GRE general and or subject test.
Post-doctoral programmes
are much more specialized, research oriented programmes. One of the most important
factors in granting post-doctorate fellowships is the personal network established between
the interested applicant and the faculty member within the institution.
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| Top
reasons to study in Canada |
A degree or diploma from Canadian
educational institutions is instantly recognized around the world as being of the highest
standard.
Tuition fees for international
students in Canada are much lower than comparable countries.
Canada spends more per capita on
education than any other country in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD)
There are 100,000 international
students from all parts of the world annually in Canada. Your educational experience is
sure to be truly international.
Canada is renowned all over the
world for its tradition of hospitality and tolerance. A remarkable multicultural society
ensures that you will be welcomed and made to feel at home during your stay in Canada.
More than 600,000 Canadians trace their roots back to India.
Canada is a world leader in
software development, telecommunications, aerospace, engineering, urban transport,
biotechnology, mining technology and environmental industries. As a student, you have a
wealth of research and scholars to draw upon a variety of disciplines.
Canada offers a wide choice of
over 90 universities and 150 colleges and technical institutes, featuring virtually every
program imaginable.
For all that it offers, Canada
has a remarkably low cost of living. Its inflation rate has remained one of the lowest in
the industrialized world.
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| For Eligibility and other
details for international students, check out Details for students applying from overseas. |
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