Understanding the Canadian University System

The Canadian higher education system is world-renowned for its high quality and diverse range of educational institutions that offer a variety of programs and degrees that attract international students from around the world.

In Canada, higher education is primarily provided by universities, colleges, and technical institutes. These institutions are both publicly funded and privately operated. Public universities receive government funding and are regulated by provincial or territorial governments, while private universities operate independently and rely on tuition fees and private funding.

Canadian Higher Education Structure

Each province in Canada is responsible for education at all levels within it, including universities i.e. there is no federal accreditation. This means that each province and territory regulate the standards of education and any issues which arise as well, and these are strict to ensure quality.

Canadian Study Levels

Canadian institutions

In Canada, ‘college’ refers to a community college or a technical school where students can earn a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree.

Students can study an undergraduate or postgraduate course at a university, whilst at graduate school, they can obtain an advanced certificate or degree.

• Career Colleges offer Certificate and Diploma courses and are privately owned.
• Community Colleges provide Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas and Undergraduate Degrees.
• Universities offer all types of study programs and are funded by the local provincial government.
• University Colleges offer pathway courses which often lead to direct entry at their associated university.

Canadian Universities

Universities in Canada are divided into three categories: research universities, primarily undergraduate universities, and comprehensive universities.

• Research universities, such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia, are renowned for their research output and offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study.
• Primarily undergraduate universities focus mainly on undergraduate education and typically offer a smaller range of graduate programs, providing a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes, allowing for more significant interaction between students and professors. Examples of primarily undergraduate universities include Mount Allison University and Trent University.
• Comprehensive universities, such as the University of Waterloo and Simon Fraser University, offer a mix of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. These institutions aim to provide a broad-based education while also supporting research and innovation.

Grading System

The grading system at Canadian universities and colleges is different from other countries, with the ten provinces within Canada all having their own grading systems. For example, Quebec and British Columbia provinces do not include the grade “D”, thus making the grade “C” as the lowest grade for passing the threshold.

If you are applying to study in Canada as an overseas student, it is important to be aware of what is required to successfully gain entry when converting your native grades into Canadian ones.

- Calculate your GPA for Canadian universities

GPA counts can vary depending on where you are in the world, with some as high as 20. The Canadian GPA varies from one university to the next, even within provinces. Generally, a 4.0 GPA indicates an A grade, and 0.00 indicates an F.

To ensure you meet the entry criteria for a Canadian school, you can calculate your GPA by doing the following formula:

Your GPA= Total Grade Points earned multiplied by the credit hours for each course.

Provinces in Canada

Each province in Canada has its own way of organising, funding and marking curriculum across its universities and colleges. If you would like specific information on the grading for each specific Canadian province below, reach out to an SI-Canada consultant who will be happy to help.

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan

Credit System

The Canadian higher education system operates on a credit-based system, where students earn credits for completing courses in the program and whether they complete those at a college or a university. These credits can be taken forward if they wish to transfer to another program or university.

The academic year typically starts in September and consists of two semesters, although some institutions also offer a trimester system or a quarter system. Most undergraduate programs take four years to complete, while professional programs like medicine, law, and engineering may require additional years of study.

Study in Canada

Begin your Canadian university application by arranging a free consultation with SI-Canada today.