Diploma Courses in Canada: Tuition Fees, Top Colleges and Documents Required

Diploma courses in Canada are short-term courses that focus on a particular specialization and aim to make the students industry-ready. The duration of a diploma course in Canada is around 2-3 years and is offered in a wide range of specializations. 

Regular diploma programs in Canada require the completion of at least four semesters (or two years) of study and are approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. Advanced diploma courses in Canada require six semesters (three years) of study. These courses are offered as post-secondary diplomas and postgraduate diplomas to students from all over the world.

Diploma programs are job-oriented involving more training and practical aspects of the relevant field of study. 2 year diploma programs in Canada are opted by international students as they offer work-integrated learning which helps in acquiring pocket money. One year diploma courses in Canada include 2-3 semesters and cost around $10,000- $15,000 per academic year. 

Students can apply for a post-secondary diploma after completing their secondary education. The duration of a post-secondary diploma is generally 2 years but may extend up to 3-4 years depending on the program and college offering the course. Postgraduate diplomas, on the other hand, are an extension of the undergraduate programs.

Popular Diploma Courses for International Students in Canada

Canadian diploma programs are valued and recognized globally. A diploma in business, engineering, management, etc is most preferred by international students. A list of diploma courses in Canada for international students are shown below:

Why Pursue Diploma Courses in Canada?

Diploma courses in Canada are preferred over other degree programs mainly due to their affordability and lesser duration. These courses are focused on practical aspects of learning and are job-oriented. Some other reasons to pursue diploma courses in Canada for Indian students are listed below:

• Diploma courses are of shorter duration and can be completed in a maximum of 2 years except for certain engineering programs that extend up to 3 years. Other degree programs in Canada takes as long as 3-4 years to complete
• Diploma programs are job-oriented and focus on training and practical aspects rather than the academic aspects
• These short-term programs are very affordable and start at around $2,000 per year. Degree programs, on the other hand, costs between $18,000- $20,000 per year and are more expensive to attend
• Short courses are valid across Canada and are considered for various job prospects
• Canada offers a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) to students enrolled in courses of 8 months or longer duration. International students pursuing diploma courses in Canada are eligible to apply for PGWP.

Top Colleges for Diploma Courses in Canada

Diploma courses in Canada are offered at Public Colleges, Community Colleges, CEGEPs (Vocational Colleges), and certain universities. Listed below are some of the best colleges for diploma courses in Canada:

1. British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
2. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
3. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
4. Algonquin College
5. Conestoga College
6. Toronto School of Management
7. Canadian College of Technology and Business
8. College of the Rockies
9. Durham College
10. Cambrian College

Admission Requirements for Diploma Courses in Canada

Every applicant is required to fulfil certain requirements to apply for diploma courses in Canada.  The eligibility and document requirements vary from college to college as the admission requirements of different colleges vary. Given below are some of the basic documents required for diploma courses in Canada after 12th:

• Valid Passport: The applicants are required to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the intended date of completion of the course. 
• Other Immigration Documents: International students are required to have a Canadian study permit for enrolling in diploma courses in Canada. If the duration of the course is less than 6 months, a temporary visa is also acceptable. Other documents required are a temporary resident visa/ travel document and an acceptance letter from the Designated Learning Institutes (DSI) in Canada.
• Official Academic Transcripts: Students are required to submit official marks/ results for all classes from Class 9 and upwards. 
• Proof of Funds: This is one of the most important pieces of information for admission to any diploma course in Canada. Students need to submit a detailed financial statement about his/ her family’s financial status. The particular Canadian college uses this information to determine the eligibility of the candidate and also his/ her ability to afford the education.
• English Language Proficiency Test Scores: International students are exempted from providing TOEFL, IELTS scores if they have studied English up to standard 12. English language proficiency, however, is one of the main requirements for admission. Students without a satisfactory score in the school-level English tests may have to submit IELTS, TOEFL scores to prove their proficiency.
• Birth Certificate and Parental Consent: Students pursuing diploma courses in Vocational Colleges, specially CEGEPs are required to submit their birth certificates. Also, students below 18 years of age as per their birth certificate, should also submit parental consent (form or application) for studying in Canada.

Types of Diploma in Canada

There are two types of Diploma that you can do from Canada:

After 12th – UG Diploma

Once you complete your secondary education, you move onto further undergraduate studies in prominent fields. Below mentioned are the top 5 UG courses:

• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Business Management
• Pharmacy Technician
• Hospitality Management

After Graduation – PG diploma

• One Year Graduate Diploma: It includes 2-3 semesters of academics which cost around 10,000 – 15,000 CAD. (5,87,330 INR-8,80,996 INR) They enhance your skills & employability chances to be in the chosen field.
• Two Year Graduate Diploma: It comprises 4 – 6 semesters of academics which can cost around CAD 13,000 – 17,000 (7,63,530 INR-9,98,462 INR). The major advantage of applying for a two-year graduate diploma is that it provides you with a 3-year work stay back option.

Canada Diploma Courses Fees for International Students

International students require around $20,000- $30,000 to be able to study and live in Canada. The total fees can be divided into tuition fees and living expenses. The tuition fees vary for different diploma courses in Canada based on the program type and duration. Find below the Canada diploma courses fees for international students:

Average Tuition Fees and Living Expenses for International Students

Diploma courses in Canada are relatively cheaper than other undergraduate and graduate degree programs for international students. Colleges under the Alberta province charge the least tuition fees from students. Top Canadian universities charge around 4-12 lakhs per year for PG diploma courses in Canada.

The living expenses vary largely based on the living standards of the students. The living costs include the costs of health insurance, accommodation, dining, and other personal expenses. Living expenses, too vary for different provinces in Canada. Given below are the average tuition fees and cost of living for international students in Canadian universities based on province: