Education System in Canada

Under the Canadian constitution Education is a provincial responsibility. Thus there are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces. The provincial and territorial legislatures have developed their own educational structures and institutions, creating 13 education systems with many similarities and some differences. However, standards across the country are uniformly high. Each province or territory has appointed one or two ministers in charge of the education in that particular province or territory.

The basic structure of the provincial and territorial education system comprises of three tiers: Elementary; Secondary; and Postsecondary. Generally, Canadian children attend kindergarten for one or two years at the age of four or five, on a voluntary basis. All children begin Grade One, at about six years of age. The school year normally runs from September through the following June. In some instances, January intake dates are possible. Secondary schools go up to Grades 11 or 12, depending upon the province. Later students may attend university, college or Cégep studies. (Cégep is a French acronym for College of General and Vocational Education, and is two years of general or three years of technical education between high school and university. The province of Québec has the Cégep system). All jurisdictions provide universal, free elementary and secondary schooling for 12 years. Quebec forms an exception as it provides free education for 11 years. Education is compulsory to the age of 15 or 16 in most jurisdictions. In Manitoba, it is compulsory until the age of 17 and in New Brunswick, until the age of 18 or graduation from high school.

All the ‘recognized’ post graduation institutions are authorized for granting academic credentials by their provincial or territorial governments through charters or legislation that ensures institutional and program quality.

Post-Secondary Institution

Both the private and the public institutions, which can be "recognized," "registered," or "licensed" by government, provide for the post-secondary education. Also, they may not be regulated in any way. The post secondary institutions issue degrees, diplomas, certificates, and attestations depending on the nature of those institutions and the length of the programs. There is an emphasis on degree programs at universities and university colleges. Applied degrees are also offered by a certain number of colleges. At other institutions, diploma, certificate, and attestation programs are emphasized.

Basically, four types of educational institutions offer the post-secondary education including:

• Universities: Canadian universities are largely public funded. Thus, they offer consistently high quality education at lower tuition rates, for international students, compared to their competing counterparts. They offer a broad range of courses and degrees from undergraduate to doctorate including certificate and professional degrees.
• University Colleges: These are integrated with the Canadian University system. They offer students a choice of either academic oriented university degree programs or the more practical-oriented college diplomas and certificates. Strong student support services, small classes and strong campus environments distinguish the university colleges, which are a part of the Canadian college system. They also offer combined degree/diploma programs and university transfer programs.
• Community colleges and technical institutes: They offer more vocational-related curricula, with small classes, off-campus course offerings, a greater laboratory and class room space, and an interactive teaching style. The combination of employer-centered curricula offers uniqueness to the Canadian colleges. The primary function of these institutes is to respond to the training needs of business, industry, and public service sectors. Most colleges and technical institutes offer diplomas and certificates rather than degrees. More colleges now grant degrees and applied degrees.
• Technical/ Career College: This is a privately owned and operated college. Its main objective is to prepare the students for the job market, after a short period of instruction. They emphasize more on practical skills, over a broad range of programs. They specialize in areas as business, computers, and secretarial skills. Despite being privately owned, these institutes are provincially approved and regulated. They ensure that standards and quality of the programs, are maintained.

Programs

University degrees are offered at three consecutive levels — bachelor's, master's, and doctoral. There is a possession of a degree from the lower level, generally a prerequisite for admission to the next. Diploma and certificate programs are also offered by many universities, which require 1 or 2 years of study in a specific field or discipline. These programs differ with institutions and provinces

University calendars are the best sources of information about the nature and requirements of university diplomas and certificates.

Undergraduates are the students studying at the baccalaureate or bachelor's level. A prerequisite for admission to undergraduate study is the successful completion of the secondary school program, or the two-year Cégep program (for Quebec). Bachelor's degrees require 3 or 4 years of full-time study, depending on the province or whether the program is general or specialized. An honors baccalaureate degree refers to a higher degree of concentration in the honors subject and also a higher level of academic achievement. At some universities, an additional year of study can be required by an honors degree.

A master's degree requires 2 years of study after successful completion of an honors baccalaureate. Although a master's degree is the normal prerequisite for a doctoral program, in special circumstances students have been allowed to go directly from an honors baccalaureate program into a doctoral program. A minimum of 3 years and up to 4 or 5 years of study and research, along with a dissertation are the normal requirements for a doctorate. The degree is generally known as a PhD; however, doctoral degrees may also be granted in particular fields of study such as music (DMus) or law (LLD).

An internship is generally required for obtaining a licence to practice regulated professions like medicine, law, education, and social work.

University colleges undertake degree programs as their primary activity. They provide 3 and 4 year bachelor's degrees. Also, smooth university transfer opportunities are offered by them.

Colleges and institutes undertake diploma and certificate programs as their primary activity. Some also offer degrees in areas of particular specialization, which can be 2-year associate degrees or 4-year applied degrees.