Canada is one of the world’s top education performers leading all other G8 countries in per capita spending on education. Students score high on international tests reflecting the dedication each jurisdiction has on the quality of our education system.

In Canada, post-secondary education is the responsibility of provincial and territorial governments, and in each province and territory there are laws, policies and procedures that govern the operation of post-secondary institutions. The basic structures of provincial and territorial education systems across Canada are similar. Each has 3 tiers — elementary, secondary, and postsecondary; all provide universal, free elementary and secondary schooling for Canadian students.

Each jurisdiction has its own quality assurance mechanisms that are used in combination to ensure quality in the country’s wide range of post-secondary institutions (Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials, 2011). This ensures Canada’s academic credentials continue to be valued worldwide.

Did You Know?

More than 200,000 international students chose Canada in 2010!
Canada had 4 universities in the top 100 of the Shanghai World University Rankings (2010)
5 MBA schools in Canada placed in the top 100 Financial Times Rankings (2010)
Canadian students have consistently been among the top 5 academic performers in the world and number 1 among English speaking countries according to the OECD Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)
University research accounts for more than 1/3 of Canada’s research efforts, more than twice that of any other G8 country.

Types:

Elementary: Children usually enter kindergarten at age 5. Elementary school generally includes grades 1 through 6 in regions that then have 2 years of middle school or junior high school, and in areas without these, elementary school goes up to grade 8. In Quebec, elementary school is grades 1-6, and students then go straight into high school.

Secondary: Secondary school-most often called high school-typically includes grades 9 through 12. In regions with middle school and junior high, it also includes grades 7 and 8. In Quebec, high school covers grades 7 through 11, and students then go to CEGEP for 2 years before applying to university.

Post-secondary: Post-secondary education includes career college (also known as vocational school), community college, university and grad school.

Language programs: Language programs (English or French as a second language) are offered at middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities and private language schools.

Universities in Canada:

Universities in Canada are internationally-recognized, affordable and ready to meet the variety of educational needs of local and international students. A total of approximately one million students-including about 70,000 students from over 130 different countries!--attend classes in Canadian universities each year. Canadian universities can be public or private, and offer 3- and 4-year bachelor's degrees, 2-year associate's degrees and, at the graduate level, master's and doctoral degrees.

Most Canadian universities are general education institutions with degree programs in a wide range of academic fields, but some are more specialized. For instance, a university may be faith-based (Christian or Catholic) or field-specific (for instance, an art and design school). Canadian universities not only come in different types, they also come in different sizes, with anywhere between 80 and 50,000 undergraduate students. In fact, a single large university can offer up to 840 undergraduate programs!

Many universities in Canada have on-campus residences, allowing for a welcoming immersion into campus community life. With over 100 universities in major cities and more rural communities across the country, university programs in Canada are easily accessible, and attract a diverse student body from home and abroad.

Largest Universities in Canada
University	Undergraduate Enrolment	Total Enrolment
1. University of Toronto	60,660	74,760
2. York University	46,640	52,290
3. University of British Columbia	37,501	45,484
4. Université du Québec	33,100	39,670
5. University of Ottawa	31,500	36,460
6. Ryerson University	30,200	31,770
7. Université de Montréal	29,753	39,979
8. University of Western Ontario	29, 500	34,100
9. University of Alberta	29,430	31,250
10. Athabasca University	29,090	31,250

Student testimonial

Monique Bassila Zaarour from Lebanon

McGill University: Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (1994)
Owner and General Manager of So7i Wa Sari3

The academic and professional experiences that I acquired in Canada are not the only reasons why I highly encourage people to pursue their studies in Canada. In fact, beyond the solid scientific knowledge that I acquired, it is the multicultural exposure that I cherish the most. My university professors were not only teachers but also mentors that were willing to help students anytime and in any situation. They taught me the proper way of learning and how to think critically.

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 17 June 2012

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