Post Secondary

Different colleges and universities require different credentials and experiences to be accepted into their programs. Colleges and universities require students to have completed a secondary school diploma (high school diploma) or equivalent (such as a general education diploma). Schools set entrance requirements for their programs. Some programs may only require a secondary school diploma, while others may require that you complete specific subjects and level of courses while in secondary school. It is important to research the entrance requirements carefully before you apply. To learn more, contact the Office of Registrar (also referred to as the “Registrar’s Office” or “Admissions Office”) at the school you wish to attend.

If you earned your academic credentials outside of Canada, they are often referred to as “international credentials” or “foreign credentials.” To enrol in an Ontario post-secondary school, you may be required to have your international academic credentials evaluated.  To learn more about evaluating your credentials for education purposes, visit the Academic Credentials to Study at a Post-Secondary School section. It is important that you contact the school you wish to attend before you have your credentials evaluated to ensure that you fully understand the school’s requirements.

Students who are currently enrolled in secondary school can also speak with their school’s guidance counsellor to learn more about the academic requirements for post-secondary school.

If your first language is not English, and you wish to attend an English speaking post-secondary school, you may be required to take an English language test to study in college or university.  There is usually a fee for these tests. Each educational institution will set a minimum score you are required to obtain in order to be accepted into their program. Before you take an English language assessment test, first check with the school you wish to attend. Each school may have a different process for you to complete the test.

To learn more, contact the Office of Registrar (also referred to as the “Registrar’s Office” or “Admissions Office”) at the school you wish to attend.

If you are interested in attending a post-secondary institution but do not have academic or language requirements, there are resources in Simcoe County that can support you. There are programs to help you improve your English and French language skills as well as academic upgrading. Academic upgrading refers to programs and services that can help you improve your literacy skills, earn a secondary school diploma / equivalency certificate or prepare for your college entrance tests. To learn more, see the Academic Upgrading for Adults section.​

Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) processes applications for public colleges in Ontario. Through this service you can apply to any public college in Ontario. To learn more about applying to college, visit: www.ocas.ca and www.ontariocolleges.ca

College and university mean different things in different countries. In Canada, colleges and universities offer different types of programs and require different amounts of time to complete. In Simcoe County, there are two colleges and two universities: Georgian College, Collège Boréal, Lakehead University, and Laurentian University.

College
Colleges grant certificates or diplomas to students who have completed their studies. If you study full-time, a certificate program may take approximately one year to complete and a diploma may take two to three years. Some colleges offer bachelor degrees in applied areas of study. Generally, colleges provide career-focused programs. Teaching methods at colleges is often described as “hands-on training.”

To learn more about colleges in Ontario visit www.ontariocolleges.ca

To learn more about the colleges in Simcoe County, contact:

The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.

University

Universities grant degrees to students who have completed their studies. From a university you can obtain an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s degree), graduate degree (Master’s degree) or post-doctorate degree (PhD). Universities tend to have a more traditional style of teaching, which often includes lectures and focus on academic programs. If you study full-time, an undergraduate degree may take three to four years. A Master’s degree may require approximately two additional years after completing a bachelor’s degree, and a post-graduate degree may take five more years after finishing a Master’s degree.

For a list of universities in Ontario, and a link to each of their websites, visit the Ontario Universities Application Centre’s website, www.ouac.on.ca/

To learn more about the universities in Simcoe County, contact:

The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.

Apprenticeships are workplace-based training programs. They are an opportunity for you to learn a skilled trade while working. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom learning.  The majority of apprenticeship training takes place in the workplace, under the direction of experienced skilled tradespeople. The classroom training usually takes place at a college.

There are many apprenticeship programs available. In order to work in a certified profession you are required to complete an apprenticeship (see Regulated and Unregulated Professions for more information on certified professions). This includes professions like automotive service technician, plumbing, electrician, and hairstylist. Apprentices become skilled workers once they have acquired the knowledge and skills in a trade or occupation and are certified by a provincial or territorial authority. There are also apprenticeships available for non-certified professions. Skilled workers from other countries may write challenge exams to assess their level of Canadian credentials.

To learn more about apprenticeship programs, contact:

The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.

Private career colleges focus on preparing students for employment in a specific trade or occupation, such as a legal assistance or human resources. Many private career colleges provide flexible schedules, allowing you to take courses while continuing to work.

If you are taking these courses because you want to be employed in a particular field, you will want to do your research carefully and understand how your potential employer views this type of education. In Ontario, private career colleges are required by law to be registered and must have their programs approved by the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges. To search for a registered private career college, visit the Service Ontario’s Private Career College Search Service.