Colleges vs Universities: Which is Better to Study in Canada?
Providing excellent education at affordable costs and a high standard of living, Canada is a sought-after study destination for students worldwide. One of the features of higher education in Canada is the equal popularity of colleges along with universities.
The provincial government in Canada dedicatedly takes care of the educational sector, thus ensuring the quality of education between colleges or universities in Canada is maintained. To know the right institution best suited for your career goals, you need to be aware of the specifications between both. The eligibility criteria and admission requirements are also to be considered here.
This blog will discuss the various differences between Canadian Colleges and Canadian Universities to help determine which is best suited for you.
Benefits of a College & University Education in Canada
Canada is home to some of the best universities in the world, including University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, etc. But this is not it. Canada is equally known for its colleges like George Brown College, Seneca College, Centennial College, and so on. With so many institutions providing high-quality education in Canada, it gets difficult to pick the perfect option. There are certain merits to university and college education, so your choice depends on your needs and preferences.
Before we move further into the differences between a Canadian college and a Canadian university, let us take a deeper look at the benefits you will reap if you study in one of them:
Benefits of a College Education in Canada
- Students get the training and knowledge required to advance their careers.
- With small class sizes, it becomes easier for teachers to pay attention to each student.
- The course duration is shorter than the duration of acquiring a degree from a university.
- It is cheaper as compared to the fees of a university.
- Short-duration courses help students join the workforce almost immediately.
Benefits of a University Education in Canada
- The degree provided by a Canadian university is recognized worldwide.
- They provide all kinds of research facilities students may require during their studies.
- The multitude of degrees offered by universities is vast.
- Universities help students reach academic excellence.
- The areas of studies provided is vast; education related to all types of topics/fields is provided to students.
- There is a plethora of scholarship opportunities for students.
After examining the benefits of attending colleges and universities, let’s look at the differences that cause the educational standards to vary:
College VS University: Which to Pick?
A student’s education at a college greatly differs from that of a university in Canada. Both of them aim at different aspects of academic qualifications. Fundamentally, colleges focus more on the career aspect of education; they are more concerned about making you job ready and providing you with training. Let us have a comparative discussion about colleges vs universities in Canada below:
| Factors | College | University |
| Type of Institution | Most of them are privately funded. | Most of them are Publicly funded |
| Educational Focus | They are more focused on proving practical or career-oriented. | They are more concerned with providing students research opportunities and academic excellence. |
| Training | They provide students with training that will help them in their job prospects. | They do not provide career-related training. |
| Degree | Colleges offer students with Certificate, Diploma, and Graduate degrees. | Universities offer students with undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. degrees. |
| Courses | It covers specific areas/topics that a student wants to study as it helps students develop skills required for a job. | It encompasses all areas of study. |
| Fees | 5,000 CAD -15,000 CAD | 7,000 CAD -58,000 CAD |
| Class Size | Small class size | Larger class size |
| Scholarships | There are not many scholarship opportunities available for students. | There is a plethora of scholarship opportunities. |
| Duration of the Study | 1-2 years of study | Undergraduate- 3 to 4 years
Graduate- 1 to 2 years |
| Work Opportunity | Work permit is given for 1 to 3 years according to the training. | Work permit is given for 3 years after course completion. |
After illustrating the different factors that influence the choice of education offered in Canadian colleges and universities, it’s up to you to choose the best course of action in accordance with your educational or professional needs. Get in touch with one of the best overseas educational consultants for a smooth admission and study abroad journey.
