For the students opting for post-secondary education in Canada, there are two educational systems available – Colleges and Universities. Although they are equal from the academic point of view, many countries use the terms interchangeably, they are not the same in Canada! So, here is the difference.
College in Canada
Unlike the United States, where colleges are referred to the local or community schools that are aimed to offer only undergraduate degrees, the college system in Canada provide technical training and diplomas.
In simple words, we can say that the colleges focus on generating specific employment skills with career training and experience. They have historically mandate to serve local communities, and had good success launching innovative employment services. Additionally, colleges have usually smaller class sizes with lower student-to-instructor ratio.
University in Canada
On the other hands, the term ‘University’ in Canada refers to an educational institution that is regulated by provincial legislation but is autonomous in terms of academic matters. Universities in Canada are defined as degree-granting institutions that provide bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. So, we can say that the universities are mainly focused on analytical skills, and academic and professional programs.
Unlike the colleges, education at the universities comes at a higher financial cost than college programs with a higher student-to-instructor ratio.
Before you make the final choice on a college or a university program, make sure to know the pros and cons of both to make a smarter choice for your education in Canada.