Levels of Study

Levels of Study

Canada is one of the best countries in the world for providing accessible, high-quality education to overseas students. To determine which programme is best for you, you must first comprehend Canada's levels of study.

Elementary & Secondary Education

All Canadian children are required by law to attend school. Schooling for youngsters begins at the age of five or six and lasts until the child is sixteen. The Canadian school system begins with elementary school and advances to high school (or secondary school). This system is divided into twelve grades. When a student completes Grade 12, they obtain their high school diploma, which allows them to pursue post-secondary education (college and university).
In Canada's educational system, there are both private and public schools. While private schools may offer specific curriculums, activities, and resources, they frequently charge students annual tuition rates. The Canadian government fully funds public schools, which teach government-mandated curricula to their students.
A Canadian student only becomes eligible to enter college or university once they get their high school graduation. If a foreign national desires to attend college or university in Canada, they must also show that they have a high school diploma.

Types of Post-Secondary Education

Post-secondary education refers to any educational programme that takes place above the twelve-grade elementary and secondary school system. There are several types of post-secondary education, each with its own set of goals.

University

A university is a post-secondary educational institution that can award degrees. Every institution has a Bachelor's Degree programme, and many additionally have Master's and PhD programmes.

College

A college is a post-secondary educational institution that, with a few exceptions, cannot confer degrees. Instead, they typically provide programmes that end in certificates and/or diplomas. In general, college programs are more directly career-oriented when compared to universities. A college graduate may complete hands-on, practical training in an employable skill, like graphic design or culinary skills. Colleges often have courses to improve a person’s skills and employability, such as language training. As well, many colleges have training programs or apprenticeships in skilled trade occupations like carpentry or welding.

Trade School/Apprenticeships

A skilled trade is a specialised occupation that typically emphasises some form of manual labour and necessitates on-the-job training as well as formal education. Because a skilled trade rarely necessitates a Bachelor's Degree, trade education is typically provided through trade schools, which are often smaller programmes housed within colleges or vocational schools. As well, once an aspiring tradesperson has sufficient training, they may undertake an apprenticeship. As an apprentice, the student works closely with an experienced tradesperson to refine their skills in the trade.

Vocational School

A vocational school may provide educational programmes at either the secondary or post-secondary levels, therefore a high school diploma is not always required to attend. Vocational programmes provide students the technical skills needed to execute certain job duties. These programmes educate students to enter the workforce immediately, either in skilled or low-skilled employment.
While there are multiple titles for different types of institutions at the post-secondary level, these labels signify different things in different parts of the world, so a college may refer to one type of school in Canada but another in France. Furthermore, these schools may sometimes overlap; for example, colleges may be affiliated with universities or trade schools within colleges.

What is an Associate Degree in Canada?

In certain countries, an associate degree is an undergraduate degree conferred by a college or university upon completion of a two-year course of study. The only jurisdiction in Canada that offers associate degrees is British Columbia, where students can earn a two-year associate degree and then pursue a Bachelor's Degree programme in the third year.
Associate degrees are not accessible outside of the province of British Columbia, however other jurisdictions may offer one- and two-year certifications and diplomas that can sometimes be transferred into Bachelor's programs.

Understanding Undergraduate vs Graduate Education

There are various levels of degrees within a university. Undergraduate programmes include all Bachelor's Degree degrees. An undergraduate programme is a more general course of study that is focused on a specific discipline but does not necessarily specialise in a specific topic. A Master's or PhD level program, on the other hand, is considered graduate education. Graduate programmes are often substantially smaller, highly specialised programmes that place a strong emphasis on research.

Understanding Certificate vs Diploma

The length of the programme distinguishes a diploma from a certificate. Both of these levels of education prepare students for immediate admission into a specialised career. A certificate normally needs one year of full-time study at a college or vocational institute while a diploma generally requires two years of full-time study at the same type of institute. Some schools also provide advanced diplomas, which require at least three years of full-time study.

Levels of Education in Quebec

Except for Quebec, every province in Canada has a twelve-grade system for elementary and secondary school. A student graduates from secondary school and receives a high school diploma after completing Grade Twelve. They will not be eligible for post-secondary courses until they have completed high school. The education system in Quebec is a little different.
In Quebec, primary and high education are comprised of only eleven grades. When a student completes Grade Eleven, they obtain their secondary school diploma. Quebec, on the other hand, has a different level of education between high school and undergraduate university programmes. CEGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel) refers to this degree of education. CEGEPs are educational institutions that allow students to choose a specialised programme that leads to a Diplôme d'études collégiales (DEC). There are two types of programmes in the CEGEP system:
1. Pre-university: These two-year programmes are designed to prepare students to proceed on to university programmes.
2. Technical: These programmes last three years and are designed to prepare graduates to enter the workforce immediately.
In Quebec, students can only begin an undergraduate university degree after finishing a CEGEP programme. However, it should be noted that for Quebec students, a Bachelor's Degree normally needs only three years of full-time study, whereas the rest of Canada requires four years.