If you have been exploring your options to further your studies in Canada after completing high school, you may have come across multiple colleges and universities. If you are not a Canadian native, this has probably confused you a bit. You want to make the best choice, but you are unsure about whether you should apply for a college or a university.

Let’s start by examining why the country offers each. Colleges in Canada provide training and diplomas at targeted increases in demand for a specific type of labour in the economy. Universities are regulated institutions under provincial legislation that are autonomous in relation to programs, instructors, policies and procedures. The key difference is, Canadian colleges grant diplomas while universities grant degrees.

Looking further into this, it is likely that you would attend a college for a shorter period of time than you would a university. At colleges, you either obtain a certificate after one year, a diploma after two, or an advanced diploma after three years. At universities, however, you do a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree program, which typically takes three-five years, and one-two years respectively. Of course, a master’s program can only be completed after completing a Bachelor’s degree. The reason for this variation in time is because colleges are focused on developing a specific, practical skillset to directly prepare you for that area of employment. On the other hand, universities take a research approach to make individuals more rounded in the entire field.

In Canada, colleges also tend to have smaller class sizes than universities. So if you are a more interactive learner who does not prefer lectures, that is something to consider when exploring post-secondary studies in this country. Universities offer more independence and is more fast paced. This leaves you in charge of time management, self-motivation, and you have to be very focused on studying because these classes are less interactive.

And what you’ve been waiting to hear: the cost. Colleges are generally more affordable than universities, with tuition fees ranging from CAD $12,000 to $25,000; and universities ranging from $25,000 to $40,000, and $25,000 to $75,000 for bachelors and masters programs respectively. So if you are erring more towards saving, colleges would be the best to go. If you are open to an investment and prefer a more research-based approach, you can consider a university. You can also look into the many scholarships offered by the country to shave some money off your fees. Check out our scholarship section (hyperlink to scholarships page) to learn more.

With all said, the decision is now up to you to decide on what suits you best for your overall immigration goal. Ask yourself this question: Is my main goal educational purposes, or am I trying to become a permanent resident as soon as possible? This makes the process much easier.