Education system in Canada

Higher education in brief.

The education system

a.) The Canadian university system is different from the European system, which usually follows the « Bachelor-Master-Doctorate (PhD) » model. This formula divides higher education into 3 entry points : a Bachelor in 3 years, a Masters in 2 and a PhD in 3 years. The Canadian system works differently and offers several advantages :

On the one hand, its division is more flexible: you have the possibility to take two, 4, 5/6, and 8 year programs.
On the other hand, the semesters' contents can be modulated: and you can either increase or decrease the workload in each semester by choosing the subjects that you will be taking.

b.) Canadian education distinguishes itself from the European model thanks to its flexibility. French faculties, for example, frequently impose programs of study set up by their UFR (Units of Education and Research). On the other hand, Canadian institutions consider the students' needs to be the priority and give them the tools to build their own education. The result is a flexible program of study that is in sync with your needs and aspirations. Each course is assigned a specific number of credits, it is up to you to decide how these credits should be spread out throughout your studies. As a result, you have the possibility of choosing the number of courses that you want, according to the workload that would be convenient for you.

c.) The evaluation system in Canada is also different from the system applied in France. Each grade obtained in a course is expressed in terms of percentages (ex: 60% instead of 12/20). A letter is attached to each percentage bracket; A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D, F. For example, the percentage bracket that stands for an A+ goes from 90 to100%. The one that stands for a B goes from 72 to 75%. For a course to be approved, you would need a C as your average throughout the entire semester, meaning between 60 and 63% (12/20). Even though this could, at first, scare a foreign student, this goal is very much achievable. The average of all the courses taken throughout the semester is called TGPA (Term Grade Point Average), and determines the GPA (Grade Point Average).

d.) Intakes are offered twice a year (once in September and once in January), although some institutions offer a third intake in the summer. Ideally, it is best to begin the application process at least six months in advance, in order to assure yourself a place in either a university or college.

Programs of study and Diplomas

There are over 200 institutions for tertiary education in Canada .
Here you will find some information about the wide variety of higher education institutions.

Community colleges :

Community colleges are the first option for higher education in Canada. These institutions prepare students in two years (even though it´s possible to extend the length of the studies) for a degree similar to a DEUG (Diploma in University General Studies), the Associate of Arts Degree, or for a more practical and career oriented diploma: the Diploma. Some even offer a Bachelors Degree in four years; see Graduate Certificates (Diplôme Bac+5 stands for a professional Master).
Furthermore, these programs of study give full access to further education; to a Bachelor (master). Through your program of study in a community college, you will receive a number of credits that you will be able to transfer to an undergraduate college or to a university.
Community colleges also issue certificates of studies, which are mainly short programs that could take from a few weeks to a few months. The proficiency level in English requested for admission to a community colleges is as follows: 70-72/120 on the ibT (Internet-based TOEFL) or 5-5.5 on the IELTS.

Undergraduate colleges :

The term undergraduate college includes every institution that prepares students up to a Bachelor's degree. In Canada, like in Australia and in England, any student who has not completed his or her Bachelor is called an undergraduate. There is a difference, though : if in Australia, in New-Zealand, and in the United Kingdom, Bachelor stands for a French "Licence" (Bac+3), in Canada and in the United States, it stands for a Master1 (Bac+4).
Undergraduate colleges are, generally speaking, bigger than community colleges and offer a much wider option of programs of study. These institutions' facilities are as well equipped as the community colleges'.
Extracurricular activities in or outside the campus, very common in undergraduate college, are also a plus when compared to community college. They allow students to blend into a foreign environment, as well as to learn about the host-country's culture.
The proficiency level in English requested for admission to an undergraduate college is generally of 80/120 on the ibT or of 6-6.5 on the IELTS.
Finally, undergraduate colleges issue Diplomas, Associate of Arts Degrees or Associate of Applied Science Degrees, as well as Bachelors Degrees and Graduate Certificates.

Universities :

The term university stands in North America for any institution issuing diplomas from a 2^nd and 3^rdcycles, meaning Masters Degrees and doctorates (called doctorates or Ph.D), as well as undergraduate diplomas. These institutions offer, besides the undergraduate programs, graduate programs: post-secondary programs. Most of the universities are very specialized: some are well-known for their Masters in medicine, while others are better known for their Masters in political science, etc.
The admission to a Master in North American universities is subject to a meticulous selection. Each applicant´s background is studied under the microscope, from his or her GPA (Grade Point Average) to the list of institutions he or she has attended since high school. GPA is very important here, because it determines your admission possibilities to certain programs.
It´s clear that, besides a high GPA, an applicant for a Master in Canada has to prove his or her proficiency in the English language (with the exception of some Québec and francophone institutions located outside of Québec). Generally speaking, the grade requested on the ibT is of 100-110/120, or of 7-8 on the IELTS.

Selection

The students’ selection is based on their academic file. English level is a decisive criterion. Therefore you will have to pass the IELTS (go to « Our services ») or the TOEFL prior to your departure and you will have to obtain the grades as requested by the university involved. If you feel that your English needs to be improved a little bit before passing the IELTS (go to « Our services »), universities also offer intensive courses at their language school; programs that will allow you, once completed, to be directly enrolled in a higher education program. We remain at your disposal to advise you on the English tests

Your file should include every result and diploma you have obtained since completion of high school (high school diploma of completion included as well). You can also attach a letter of intent, a resume, and one or more recommendation letters.

Calendar

Classes at most of the universities are offered twice a year, during the month of September and during the month of January. Each schedule is independent and therefore a student who starts in January cannot joint a program that came out 5 months earlier.

Several universities sometimes offer summer sessions, practical for additional credit validation and to reduce the length of your program of study.