• Largely publicly funded
• Offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs
• Degrees follow the bachelor/master/doctorate system and are equivalent to those in the USA and Commonwealth countries
• Academic year usually runs from September to May
• Fees differ depending on the province, institution and program of study.
• Tuition fees range from C$10,000 to C$26,000 per year depending on the program.

• Offer students a choice of either academic oriented university degree programmes or the more practical-oriented college diplomas and certificates
• Offer a variety of recognized credentials like certificates, diplomas, university transfer programs, academic and applied degrees, and post-graduate diplomas
• Also may offer combined degree/diploma programs and university transfer programs
• Tuition fees range from C$8,500 to C$15,000 per year depending on the program.

• Elementary schools are grades 1 to 6.
• Secondary schools are grades 7-12 in most provinces, with the exception of Quebec where secondary school runs from grades 7-11.
• School year runs from September to June.

Public Schools
• Offer co-educational day programs.
• Homestay programs available for international students.
• Tuition and homestay fees range from C$10,500 to C$23,000 depending on the institution.

Private Schools
• Independently funded.
• Co-educational, or boys only, or girls only.
• Smaller class sizes and lower teacher-student ratio.
• Full boarding or homestay programs available for international students.
• Tuition and boarding fees range from C$25,000 to C$45,000 depending on the institution.

Language Schools
•Canada is a bilingual country, a community of immigrants and a world leader in English and French language training.
•Private schools and colleges dedicated to the teaching of English and French, often exclusively to international students and new immigrants.
•Specialized language training is also available in subject areas like business English, academic preparation, industry-specific language training, etc.
•Tuition fees for a general 4-week course range from C$1,000 to C$2,000.
•Homestays are also a popular option at a cost of approximately C$1,000 per month.

• Academic ESL programs
  These programs are tailored to help meet the English Language Proficiency requirements of the academic program you intend to take.  They are often referred to as “English for Academic Purposes” or EAP programs.  
• ESL Only programs
  These programs are generally tailored to students who are interested in intensive English language studies.  They usually are not required for entry into institutions’ academic programs. 

• Prepares students for entry into specific occupations
• One year or less of fulltime study at a college or technical institute
• Completion of some high school studies (often specified minimum grades and subjects)

Exception: University-level certificate programs may require high school graduation, some post-secondary education or mature student status
Note: Successful completion of a certificate can sometimes earn you credit and admission into a diploma program.

• Prepare students for employment in a particular field or group of occupations
• Generally involve two years of full-time, applied study at a college or technical institute
• Require high school graduation (often with specified grades and subjects) for admission

Exceptions: Many colleges also offer general studies or liberal arts programs at the diploma level.
University-level diploma programs require one year of academic study or equivalent beyond a bachelor's degree and may be applicable to related master's degree programs.

• Combines theoretical approaches to learning with elements of practical application, providing a broader range of career and employment opportunities beyond entry-level in an industry
• Are offered by some public colleges and technical institutes
• Four-year programs consisting of six semesters (about three years) of academic studies and at least two semesters (about one year) of related paid, supervised work experience in the industry
• Admission requirements may be similar to those of diploma programs. Completion of a related diploma program may be a prerequisite for admission to the third year of an applied degree program

Note: Students graduating from an applied degree program may not have direct access to graduate studies.
However, in some circumstances, students may be admitted after completing a bridging program.

• The first two years of a degree-level program can be completed at many colleges before transferring to a university or private college with an accredited degree program for the last two years of study.
• Some of the benefits of university transfer programs include smaller class sizes, lower tuition fees, less competitive admission and the opportunity to choose from a greater number of program providers
• Many colleges also offer two year general studies or liberal arts programs to prepare students for further studies

• Provide a more theoretical or academic approach to learning with direct access to graduate studies
• Are offered by universities, select colleges, and private university colleges with approved degree programs Usually involve the equivalent of three or four years of full-time study (program length may vary by discipline and by institution)
• Have entrance requirements such as a minimum grade or average in five specified Grade 12 subjects, including English 30-1. Admission to faculties with enrolment limits may require marks higher than the specified minimum average required for application (this higher average is generally referred to as competitive average)

Exception: Athabasca University has an open admissions policy (few or no specific entrance requirements) for students 16 years of age and older

• Normally require completion of an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree
• Some programs may accept applications from students with only part of their undergraduate bachelor's degree completed, however admission is highly competitive and most students will have completed their degree prior to successful admission
• Professional Master's Degrees in Alberta include: Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Dentistry, Law, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine. Although Optometry is also a Professional Master's Degree for which students in Alberta may complete pre-professional years of study, the program is not currently offered at an Alberta post-secondary institution.

• Generally involve two years of full-time university study beyond the bachelor’s degree level (there are time limits for completing degree requirements and program lengths may vary)
• Require a completed bachelor’s degree for admission. Applicants who have a three-year undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree are generally required to complete an additional qualifying year
• Here are generally two routes within a Master’s program:
  • Thesis based, or
  • Course-based (non-thesis)

• Require two or three years of full-time university study and research beyond the master’s degree level there are time limits for completing degree requirements)
• Involve planning and carrying out high quality research to advance knowledge in the student’s major field of study
• Include the preparation and defense of a dissertation on an approved topic