Top 11 College in Canada to Enroll Today

The number of prospective international students considering college in Canada is on the rise. Canadian universities saw a bump in international student enrollment of about 16% in 2018, part of a 154% increase from 2010 to 2018, according to the most recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

These are the top 11 Best Global Universities in Canada, ranked based on admission performance, financial aid and reputation.

1. Algonquin College

Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is a publicly funded English-language college located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The college offers bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates in a range of disciplines and specialties.

It has been ranked among the Top 50 Research College in Canada and has been recognized as one of Canada’s top innovation leaders.

Admission Details

There are numerous types of requirements that are used at Algonquin College. College requirements are applicable for all programs, whereas other requirements may be program specific. Check your program page for a complete list of the requirements to make sure you have everything you need to get in.

1. College Requirements: These are Academic requirements that apply across the College, and for every program, and are therefore the minimum credentials required to gain admittance to an Algonquin College Program. Algonquin College requires the equivalent of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). If you are over the age of 19 and/or do not have a secondary school diploma, there are a variety of methods to demonstrate equivalency.
2. Program Requirements: Program requirements are a series of academic and other requirements (such as portfolios or writing samples) which are specific to the program for which you are applying. If you are applying to more than one program at Algonquin College, make sure to submit all appropriate documents as instructed.
3. Assessment Requirements: Some programs at Algonquin College require all applicants to complete an assessment to be considered for admission. In other instances, an applicant may be asked to sit an assessment to demonstrate an equivalency to an academic program requirement.
4. Additional Admission Requirements

Financial Aid

• OSAP
• Bursaries
• Awards and Scholarships
• Alternate Sources of Funding for Out-of-Province Students
• Specialty Programs
• Work Study Program

2. Conestoga College

Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is a public college located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Conestoga has one, two, three, or four-year programs; as well as apprenticeship training programs. There are also many options available to students including four-year degrees in Mechanical Systems Engineering, Integrated Telecommunications and Computer Technology, Architecture, Health Informatics or the International Business Management degree which started in the fall of 2006. Conestoga also has several agreements with Ontario universities including Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Windsor, and McMaster University, as well as several other Canadian and international institutions.

Admission Details

In order to be accepted to a Conestoga College program, you must:

1. Meet the program admission requirements
2. Provide proof of English proficiency in one of the following ways: Diploma/Certificate (6.0 IELTS; 80 TOEFL), Degree (6.5 IELTS; 88 TOEFL), Graduate Certificate (6.5 IELTS; 88 TOEFL).

If you do not have the English language skills for direct entry into full-time post-secondary programs, you may choose to enter Conestoga’s English for Academic Studies (EAS) program.

Financial Aid

• Scholarships
• Student Awards

3. Centennial College

Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology is a diploma- and degree-granting college in Canada. It is the oldest publicly funded college in Ontario. In 2016, Centennial was ranked as one of Canada’s Top 10 Research Colleges for the first time in its history.

Centennial College is recognized as one of the most culturally diverse post-secondary institutions in Ontario. Almost 100 ethno-cultural groups are represented and 80 languages are spoken on campus.

Admission Details

When applying, you must submit transcripts for admission directly to Ontariocolleges.ca. Transcripts from outside of Canada must be assessed by World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Services (ICAS).

Meanwhile, applicants who apply directly to Centennial College may be asked to submit official transcripts or credential evaluations to the Centennial College Admissions Office. Documents must be original and in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution. Photocopies are not acceptable. You can drop them off at any Centennial campus Enrolment Services office to the attention of “Admissions,” or mail them to Centennial College Admissions, PO Box 631, Station A, Toronto, ON, M1K 5E9.

Financial Aid

• Centennial College Bursaries
• Ministry Partnered Bursaries
• Academic Scholarships and Awards
• Application Scholarships and Awards
• Centennial College Work Study Program
• Tuition Payment Flexibility

4. Sheridan College

The Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, previously called Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Technology, commonly known as Sheridan College, is a diploma, certificate and degree-granting polytechnic college in Canada, with approximately 23,000 full-time students and 17,000 continuing education students.

Founded in 1967, the college offers programs in animation and illustration, creative writing and publishing, music theatre, film and design, business, applied computing, engineering technology, community studies, and liberal studies.

Admission Details

Applicants may be admitted to Sheridan as full-time students if they have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) with senior-level credits achieved at C, U, M or O designation (or equivalent), including one Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U) and additional required courses.

Ontario high school Grade 12 marks (including first semester mid-term marks) are used in the admissions decision process. Grade 11 final marks will be used in the admissions process if a student is enrolled in all required courses in the second semester of Grade 12. Many offers of admission are conditional pending the completion of all required courses by August 1.

Additionally, Sheridan recognizes the GED (General Educational Development Certificate) and all Grade 12 diplomas from other Canadian provinces and territories (except Quebec) as equivalent to the Ontario high school diploma. Sheridan recognizes the Quebec High School Leaving Certificate (Secondary V) as equivalent to the Ontario high school diploma.

Furthermore, all Sheridan students must have experience using computers. You’ll need computer skills to be successful in your program of study and your future career. The level of computer literacy required varies by program.

Financial Aid

• OSAP
• Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries
• Sheridan Student Assistance Program
• Student Loan Repayment Pause
• Work Study Program

5. Ontario College

Ontario’s colleges are leaders in technology and workforce development, preparing students for success in not only the cutting-edge careers of today, but also those of tomorrow.

With over 480 industry partners advising on curriculum, programs and courses are continuously evolving to ensure students receive the most up-to-date training. And with over 300 courses now offering innovation and entrepreneurial components, students are reaping the benefits of participating in groundbreaking research and innovation projects.

 Admission Details

Admission requirements vary between specific colleges and programs.

In most cases, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent is required. Graduate Certificate programs require a prior college or university certificate, diploma or degree for admission. In addition, colleges may establish program-specific admission requirements. Please visit college websites to learn more about these requirements.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet academic criteria and complete any special prerequisites required for admission (such as specific courses, essays, medical forms, or testing). These requirements are listed as admission requirements in the individual college calendars. The Office of the Registrar will inform applicants of any changes to the admission requirements if they are not contained in recent publications and on college websites.

Financial Aid

• Scholarships and Bursaries
• Government Assistance
• Private Loans
• OSAP
• Ontario Crown Ward Postsecondary Application Fee Reimbursement Program

6. Seneca College

Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology is a multiple-campus public college in Canada, located in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario. It offers full-time and part-time programs at the baccalaureate, diploma, certificate and graduate levels.

Seneca offers more than 145 full-time programs and 135 part-time programs including 14 Bachelor’s degrees and 30 graduate certificates.

Admission Details

When applying to a Seneca degree program you must submit:

1. High school transcripts for grades 10, 11 and 12 showing all program specific pre-requisite courses. Transcripts must include six (6) senior level courses equivalent to Ontario university preparatory credits with an overall average of 65%.
2. High school/secondary school diploma (certificate of completion).

You may submit transcripts or certificates for any completed university/postsecondary college courses or programs taken inside or outside of Canada. Academic records that are in a language other than English must include an official/certified English translation.

Financial Aid

• Entrance Awards
• OSAP
• Scholarships and Bursaries
• Work Study Program

7. George Brown College

George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology is a public, fully accredited college in Canada of applied arts and technology with three full campuses in downtown Toronto.

GBC offers a wide variety of programs in art and design, business, community services, early childhood education, construction and engineering technologies, health sciences, hospitality and culinary arts, preparatory studies, as well as specialized programs and services for recent immigrants and international students.

Admission Details

The minimum requirement for admission to postsecondary programs is an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or the equivalent, or Mature Student status. Bachelor’s degree programs require a minimum of six Grade 12 credits at the university and/or university/college level. Meanwhile, postgraduate programs (Ontario Graduate Certificate) typically require a minimum of a college diploma, university degree or equivalent. Additional requirements may be required.

Applicants who are 19 and older on the first day of class, and do not possess a completed OSSD may take an admissions assessment (s) to be considered for their program of choice.

Financial Aid

• Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries
• OSAP
• Work Study Program

8. Douglas College

Douglas College is the largest public degree-granting college institution in British Columbia, Canada. Close to 17,000 credit students, 8,500 continuing education students and 4,210 international students are enrolled here.

Douglas College offers bachelor’s degrees and general university arts and science courses, as well as career programs in health care, human services, business and the creative arts.

Admission Details

All applicants for admission to the College must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

• BC secondary school graduation (or the equivalent in another school system)
• One course short of BC secondary school graduation
• 19 years old by the end of the first month of the first semester of attendance
• 17 years old on the first day of the first semester of attendance and has not been in school for at least one year
• Completion of a certificate or equivalent from a special needs program and has been in school for 12 years

Financial Aid

• Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries
• Student Loans & Grants

9. St. Clair College

St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology is a college in the Southwestern Ontario counties of Essex and Chatham-Kent. It was ranked as a top college in Canada to go to in 2014.

Admission Details

In order to be accepted to a St. Clair College program, you must follow the following requirements:

1. The minimum entrance requirement is an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) with the majority of the credits at the general, advanced, College, University, University/College, open level, or equivalent.
2. Applicants who lack the normal entrance requirements but are at least 19 years of age may be considered for admission as mature students. Such applicants may be required to write a series of tests in English and Mathematics and complete the prerequisites for certain programs, if they lack the required academic qualifications but can give evidence of probable success in a program.
3. Applicants whose secondary school studies have been completed outside the Province of Ontario must submit evidence of equivalent standing.

Financial Aid

• Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries
• OSAP
• Work Study Program
• Veteran’s Education Benefit
• Student Emergency Loan Fund

10. Vanier College

Vanier College is an English-language public college located in the Saint-Laurent borough of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Vanier College offers over twenty-five programs of study in both two-year pre-university and three-year technical fields. With a student population averaging eight thousand, Vanier College is the second-largest English-language college in Canada. The college offers two types of programs: pre-university and technical.

Admission Details

Admission to the College is on the basis of the Quebec Secondary School Diploma or the Quebec Diploma of Vocational Education with Secondary 5 first and second languages as well as Secondary 4 Mathematics, or equivalent schooling completed outside the province.

Applicants whose first language or language of instruction is not English, may be required to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency for performance in the English-language milieu of Vanier College.

Financial Aid

• AFE – Student Financial Assistance
• Loans and Bursaries
• Scholarships
• Work Study Program

11. LaSalle College Vancouver

LaSalle College was founded in 1959 in the LaSalle borough of Montreal, Quebec by Quebec fashion designer Jean-Paul Morin. The College offers over 60 pre-university, technical and professional programs and is the largest bilingual college in Canada.

Admission Details

All LaSalle College Vancouver applicants are evaluated for admission on the basis of their previous education, background, and stated or demonstrated interest in one of our education programs. An applicant must be a high school graduate, possess a recognized high school equivalency, or qualify as a mature student of not less than 19 years of age as of the start date of the program.

In lieu of documenting high school graduation, applicants who have graduated with a postsecondary diploma, associate’s degree or higher earned degree at an accredited institution of postsecondary education (or its equivalent if earned at an institution located outside of Canada), can provide official academic transcripts for the credential granted.

Additionally, the applicant is required to independently conceive and write an essay describing the applicant’s career goals and how LaSalle College Vancouver can help the applicant achieve those goals. Portfolios are welcomed, but not required.

Applicants who have taken the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), American College Test (ACT), and/or Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are encouraged to submit scores to Admissions for evaluation.

Financial Aid

• Academic Excellence Award
• Scholarships
• Travel Bursaries

Final thoughts

Canadian college and university diplomas are recognized around the world. The Canadian educational system encourages cross-disciplinary studies and the development of transferable skills (e.g., critical thinking, teamwork and communications) and uses cutting-edge technology and digital media.

Five Canadian universities ranked in the 2018 top 100 for the best universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Ratings. Find the college in Canada that interests you today, and benefit from a world-class education.