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Best Community Colleges In Canada: Here is a list of community colleges in Canada for international students who have been on the cheap tuition fees for years and still stand tall.
Over 6,000 international students are enrolled in community colleges in Canada each year and these statistics show that more international students are enrolled in these colleges than in Canadian universities.
Hope you know the difference between a university and a college in Canada?
These colleges are sometimes also referred to as institutes, technical colleges, institutes of technology, state colleges, university colleges and, in their simplest form, colleges.
Canadian community colleges are like technical colleges in some countries, offering 2-year diplomas and 3-year advanced diplomas.
In any case, this qualification can still be used for work in Canada and is also recognized internationally.
Community colleges are viewed primarily as a training venue for the “workforce” as graduates are viewed as skilled holders of the major Canadian workforce.
There are several community colleges in Canada that are publicly or privately funded, but most of them are for-profit institutions.
That being said, there are several programs open to international students at these colleges and ultimately each graduate is awarded the same degree.
Either way, when looking for community colleges in Canada for international students, you should also know that there are key requirements for any international applicant.
You should also be aware that different colleges have different application procedures and requirements, but rest assured that you can apply for all of them online.
without further ado let’s start by answering the first question on your mind…
What are Community colleges?
Community colleges are publicly funded post-secondary education institutions that aim to bring college degrees to a wider audience.
These schools are located in the communities in which they operate and are generally much cheaper than other colleges or even other public schools.
Most community colleges do not offer a bachelor’s degree, but rather offer the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree after completing two years of full-time study.
They can also offer vocational training and certification programs. Often, however, you do not have to be officially enrolled in a degree program to take courses there.
The experience of attending a community college is usually different from that of a more traditional four-year college.
Rather than joining a class of enrolled students roughly your age and progressing to a bachelor’s degree on a relatively predictable schedule, take classes with people of different ages and backgrounds pursuing a degree.
Compared to traditional four-year colleges, community colleges are more often designed to accommodate working adults in addition to full-time students.
For example, you might find classes in the evenings to suit students’ work schedules. On-campus housing and the type of student housing available at four-year colleges are less common at community colleges.
Requirements for Best Community Colleges In Canada for international students
- High school (secondary school) transcript.
- High school (secondary school) diploma (if applicable).
- Post-secondary (college or university) transcript – if applicable.
- secondary (college or university) degree – if applicable.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (if required).
- Passport.
- Application fee of CAN$100 (non-refundable) -if required.
Community Colleges In Canada For International Students
Here are the Canadian community colleges on our list. There was no approved ranking used to draft these names, but most of them were chosen because of the cheap tuition fees that can be charged there and their openness to international students.
- Bow Valley College –Tuition fee: estimated $2,000 to $5000
- Douglas College –Tuition fee: $17,400 CAD
- Georgian College –Tuition fee: $5,500 CAD
- Red River College –Tuition fee: $8,830 per year.
- Seneca College -Tuition fee: estimated at $13,000 CAD yearly.
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology –Tuition fee: between $5,550 to $11,000 annually.
- Herzing College –Tuition fee: Between $4,000 to $5,000 annually.
- Vanier College –Tuition fee: $4,900 to $7,700 yearly.
- New Brunswick Community College –Tuition fee: about $6,300 CAD annually.
- Assiniboine Community College –Tuition fee: $7,052 to $10,520 yearly.
#1. Bow Valley College
Bow Valley is a public college founded in 1965 and one of the community colleges in Canada for international students. The college has up to 7 branches in Airdrie, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, and Strathmore.
Bow Valley College has seven specialty schools that offer academic programs in a variety of fields, including professional training in business, pharmacy, technology, etc., adult development, college transfer courses, and teaching English. These special schools are:
- The Chui School of Business
- The School of Continuing Learning
- School of Community Studies
- The School of Creative Technologies
- The School of Foundational Learning
- School of Global Access
- The School of Health and Wellness
The college accepts international and domestic students into all of its programs which will help in developing students’ potential and reaching their educational and career goals.
#2. Douglas College
Douglas College was founded in 1970 and holds the record for the largest public graduation college in British Columbia, Canada, as well as one of the community colleges in Canada for international students.
The college accepts international and domestic students enrolled in its undergraduate degree, which includes general academic arts and science courses, as well as career programs in health, social care, business, and the arts.
Douglas College combines the academic foundations of a university with the professional skills of a college, offering students multiple avenues to achieve their academic goals.
#3. Georgian College
Georgian College is one of the community colleges in Canada for international students, founded in 1967 and located in Ontario.
It’s also a college of applied arts and technology that offers a wide variety of undergraduate programs in business, interior design, nursing, computer science, political science, and more.
In addition, there are certificates, diplomas, teaching and vocational training programs as well as diploma courses that cover a wide range of subjects.
Georgian College offers full-time and part-time programs for international and domestic students in seven locations across Canada.
Students will be equipped with the skills and mindset to become innovative thinkers and change agents capable of transforming their workplaces and communities.
#4. Red River College
Founded in 1938, Red River College, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest and one of the largest applied learning and research institutes in the province, with more than 200 full- and part-time degrees, diplomas and certificate programs Community colleges in Canada for international students.
Some of the programs at Red River College include biotechnology, construction, digital multimedia, nursing, engineering, etc.
Through hands-on experiential learning, students are developed to take on their respective fields and contribute to the economic growth of the nation as a whole.
#5. Seneca College
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology is one of the community colleges in Canada for international students, founded in 1967.
The college offers over 145 full-time and 135 part-time programs, of which approximately 30,000 and 75,000 are enrolled in the Bachelor’s Degree, Certificate, and above, respectively.
The college has six faculties, schools, and centers that offer 14 undergraduate degrees, 30 graduate certificates, and other experiential learning opportunities such as internships, internships, internships, and community service options.
Seneca combines rigorous academics with hands-on training in a variety of careers and professions.
#6. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology was founded in Calgary in 1916 and is recognized as one of Calgary’s oldest colleges. SAIT has over 40,000 students from many parts of the world, making it one of the community colleges in Canada for international students.
These students come from all walks of life for high-quality education and experiential style of teaching.
SAIT offers more than 100 technology, craft, and business career programs designed to shape the future of students and achieve their career and business goals.
#7. Herzing College
Herzing College is one of the community colleges in Canada for international students offering degree and certificate programs in a variety of sought-after industries.
The programs offered at this institution are tailored to the learning style of the students. Students can choose between the online, on-campus learning option, or both.
There are over 10 programs in technology, design, education, and business for students to explore the available program options that interest you.
Students receive cutting-edge education that meets industry demand in the program options available.
#8. Vanier College
Founded in 1970 and located in the Saint-Laurent district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Vanier College is one of the community colleges in Canada for international students. There are over 25 courses in the two-year pre-university and three-year technical area.
These programs cover a variety of courses including computer technology, nursing, special care counseling, music, business, humanities, and more. These programs are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to become professionals in their respective fields.
#9. New Brunswick Community College
New Brunswick Community College was founded in 1974 and welcomes over 40,000 students from different countries. It is one of the community colleges in Canada for international students. Students can choose from over 90 programs, which are offered at six locations.
The programs are available in full-time, part-time and online study options so that students can choose their preferred learning style.
#10. Assiniboine Community College (ACC)
The Assiniboine Community College in Manitoba was founded in 1961 and recognized among the 10 community colleges in Canada for international students. There are over 30 programs in the fields of agriculture, environment, economy, health and social affairs, crafts and technology.
These educational programs are offered through a variety of approaches including classroom, distance and online, integrated programs, and blended learning. CCA programs are offered by the following faculties:
- School of Business, Agriculture & Environment
- The School of Health & Human Services
- School of Trades & Technology
- Distance Education
- Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts
- Mature Student High School Diploma
- English as an Additional Language
Through these faculties, students are developed to possess technical and critical thinking skills that will help them establish a career in life after school.
These are the community colleges in Canada for international students. Domestic students are also admitted.
You must follow the link in the college details to learn more about the college and your preferred program requirements.
Here is the The Pros and Cons of Community College.
The Pros and Cons of Community College
If you are potentially interested in attending a community college, the next step should be to take a look at the practical details to see if the experience meets your needs. Below is an overview of the main advantages and disadvantages of attending a community college.
Of course, every school is different and you should do more research on a specific community college before deciding to enroll. However, these lists can provide some pointers to the issues to consider.
Advantages Of Community Colleges
- Cost: Community colleges are generally the cheapest way to take college courses. The exact cost will depend on residency requirements, the types of courses you choose, and financial aid considerations, but many students save money at a community college compared to an average four-year school.
- Accessibility: It’s easy to attend a community college – there may even be a formal open admission policy, and the application process is minimal. You will almost certainly be able to attend if you choose to do so and pay the tuition fees.
- Late enrollment or enrollment deadlines: Community college deadlines usually fall quite late in the year compared to other schools. This means that a community college can be a possible last minute option if, for example, you are waiting for a college that put you on a waiting list and that school ends up rejecting you.
- Convenience: Although community colleges are typically not dormitories, they are generally convenient to access to make life easier for their commuting students. Outside of very rural areas, there is likely at least one community college you want to be at. Some even have multiple locations.
- Guaranteed Transfer Programs: Some community classes have established programs where you are guaranteed to be admitted as a transfer to some four-year colleges if you maintain a certain academic level of achievement. This can save you a lot of time and stress in the transfer process. (Contact the universities concerned for details on their specific programs and requirements.)
- Time: Some students don’t shine in high school for some reason and may need a little extra time to prove their skills. Attending a community college gives you a second chance to improve your academic performance, build relationships with mentors and faculty, and generally become a stronger candidate.
The Cons of attending Community Colleges
- Less Funding: Because community colleges rely on public funding and don’t charge high tuition fees, they typically don’t have large budgets. This, of course, has an impact on what they will be able to offer to you from academic, extracurricular to campus facilities.
- Less Rigorous Courses: Community colleges are generally not known for offering particularly stimulating courses as they are designed to make the educational experience accessible to students of different backgrounds and skill levels. Your teacher may spend more time reviewing and explaining the material than you would like, and at a slower pace than you would like.
- Less access to high-level faculty who are at the forefront of their field: Community college courses are often taught by auxiliaries and other faculty rather than traditional full-time professors. This does not necessarily mean that they lack quality education – some are very competent and talented teachers – but it may mean that they are not among the most famous or respected teachers in their field.
- Less Resources and Amenities for Student Life: With fewer on-campus accommodations and a limited overall budget, community colleges don’t pay as much attention to the atmosphere outside the classroom as it does at community colleges. You are likely to have fewer after-school opportunities, fewer student events, and less luxurious surroundings than some top-rated schools.
- Have to go through the application process for a transfer: Some colleges, especially those that are already competitive, have very low transfer acceptance rates – in 2015 the transfer acceptance rate at Harvard was only 1.5%
Conclusion:
The process of getting a college education doesn’t always go with the traditional cute story of working hard, getting accepted at your dream school, and chasing your dreams. Sometimes the road includes bends, turns, and obstacles to some extent.
However, you can have a great educational experience even if things don’t go quite according to plan. For some students, attending community college is a wise decision that will help them, in the long run, more successfully pursue their educational, professional, and life goals.
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