Top Colleges in Canada for PG Diploma: Courses, Costs, and Eligibility

Many students dream of moving abroad to pursue higher education. To fulfil this dream in a rewarding manner students should choose the best possible college and city for their education.

For this many students consider Canada as an option.

Canada has high-quality education, affordable fees and an excellent standard of living. Students can choose from a variety of programs offered by the universities. You can study Bachelor’s, Master’s or Diploma courses from colleges in Canada. It is important for students to choose the right university course. The colleges there encourage international students to apply. Therefore, Canada is a popular destination for pursuing higher studies.

 

Overview of PG Diploma in Canada

 

If you have completed your Bachelor's degree and looking for higher study opportunities abroad then the Post-Graduate Diploma Course in Canada is an excellent option. The PG Diploma courses are intensive. These courses encourage learning skills which will help them get better job opportunities. 

The duration of a post-graduate diploma course is generally one or two years, depending on the course you select. Students are also encouraged to take up internships during this time, therefore they gain practical experience too.

Some of the popular  PG Diploma courses in Canada are the PG Diploma in Data Analytics and the PG Diploma in Computer Science.

Cost of PG Diploma in Canada

Canada has the reputation of being an affordable study-abroad destination. There you can pursue a post-graduate diploma on a budget. In general, a post-graduate diploma in Canada costs an average of INR 20 lakhs to INR 60 lakhs. 

Among the many, one of the cheapest post-graduate diplomas in Canada is from Conestoga College. Their PG Diploma in Computer Programming and Analysis costs an average of 14,000 CAD. 

The average cost of some popular post-graduate programs are:

   

However, students should note that these are the tuition fees and do not include other expenses such as housing rent, utilities, stationery etc. 

There are many options for students to cover the fees. Students can self-finance their studies, apply for fully funded or partially funded scholarships or even avail student loans.

After completing PG Diploma courses in Canada, students become eligible for work permits of either one year or two years depending on their course. This allows students to secure higher-paying jobs.

Eligibility Criteria for PG Diploma in Canada

To be eligible for admission in a post-graduate diploma course a candidate must have completed their bachelor’s degree program. The bachelor’s degree must be a three-year course.

Colleges prioritise students with higher academic achievements. Therefore students should maintain a good record of marks. It is advised students should maintain a minimum score of 2.0 GPA (by international standards). 

Additional eligibility criteria for universities are the language proficiency tests. Colleges may require students to qualify for tests like IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo English Test. Business schools may also require students to qualify for the GMAT or GREs. Some management courses also require students to have prior work experience.

Universities might also require specific criteria for admissions. For example, the PG Diploma in Environmental Science from the University of Lethbridge requires students to have completed a college degree or diploma in Biology, Ecology, Geography, Geoscience, Engineering, or a related discipline.

After completing one degree students also become eligible for specialised courses. For example, students who have completed their B.Com can be eligible for post-graduate diploma courses in Canada like PG Diploma in Business Administration, PG Diploma in Business Analytics, PG Diploma in Supply Chain Management etc. 

Top Colleges in Canada for PG Diploma

Some of the top colleges for PG Diploma in Canada include:

Colleges in Ontario for PG Diploma:

Fanshawe College: Fanshawe College specialises in professional diploma courses. The college has four campuses in Ontario located in London, Simcoe, St. Thomas and Woodstock respectively. A course from Fanshawe can help you upgrade your professional skills.

Students enjoying college life at Fanshawe College, Canada

Image Credit: Fanshawe College

 

Qualifications for Admission to Fanshawe College:

To qualify for an Advance Diploma students need a minimum qualification of higher secondary education with a minimum of 50% marks. Students must also qualify for the IELTS exam with a score of no less than 6.0. Additionally, some technical courses have specific criteria for admissions and students should fulfil those requirements. Some courses also require students to have professional work experience.

The college has summer, fall and winter intake programs across its various campuses.

Some of the top courses from Fanshawe College are:

Lambton College: Lambton College is a college in Sarnia, Ontario. The college specialises in providing courses in skills, technology, health and business. Lambton College also offers a range of online courses.

Qualifications for Admission to Lambton College:

Students are required to have a university degree in their respective fields to get admission to the courses. Students also have to score a minimum IELTS of 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79 score. An IELTS score of 6.0, and TOEFL 70 can also be considered if the students complete English for Academic Purposes during the first term of their study. Students can also apply for the Lambton Institute of English placement test.

The college has fall, winter and spring intakes for all their courses.

Some of the top courses from Lambton College are:

 

Confederation College: Confederation College is located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The college is especially known for its courses in applied arts and technology.

 

Qualifications for Admission to Confederation College:

Students need to be at least 18 years of age to get admission to Confederation College. They should have completed their degree courses. Students should also qualify for one of the English language proficiency tests from IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test, PTE-Academic, Duolingo English Test, and CAEL Online Test.

The college has January, May and September admission intake.

Some of the top courses from Confederation College are:

 

Colleges in Edmonton for PG Diploma:

Reeves College: Reeves College in Edmonton, Alberta is a college that will foster your professional development. In this college classroom-based teaching and experiential learning are given priority. 

Qualifications for Admission to Reeves College:

Students are required to have a minimum qualification to be admitted to Confederation College. For a PG Diploma course, students must have completed their graduation. Some PG Diploma courses require a minimum work experience before taking admission. Students must demonstrate proficiency in English to be admitted to the courses.

Additionally, Confederation College conducts an interview with an International Admission Representative. Students are also required to have a meeting with a Financial Administrator or a Financial Planner.

Some of the top courses from Reeves College are:

NorQuest College: NorQuest College is a publicly funded college in the city of Edmonton. They provide skill-based education that caters to students looking to enter the global workforce. The college also encourages distance learning and continuous learning for students.

Qualifications for Admission to NorQuest College:

The minimum qualifications for admission to the courses in NorQuest Colleges are Secondary and Higher Secondary Certificates. Along with it, they must also have a post-secondary degree. Students also have to prove their English proficiency through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English Language Assessment Test, PTE Academic and Duolingo among others.

The college has Summer, Winter and Fall intakes for their various courses.

Some of the top courses from NorQuest College are:

 

Colleges in Winnipeg for PG Diploma:

The University of Winnipeg: The University of Winnipeg is known to be a diverse and multicultural academic community. It is known for its unique courses and student-centric teaching. The university has multiple PG Diploma programs open to international students.

Qualifications for Admission to The University of Winnipeg are:

The post-graduate diploma programs at the University of Winnipeg require students to have completed their graduation. Students also require a minimum percentage of marks, for example, Indian students require 60%. Additional technical knowledge and work experience are also required for admission to some courses.

Various post-graduate diploma course at The University of Winnipeg starts in January, February, May, August and September.

Some of the top courses at The University of Winnipeg are:

 

RRC Polytech: The Red River College Polytechnic is a leading institution of applied learning and applied research. Business Accountancy (International) and Communication Design are some of the well-known courses from this college.

Qualifications for Admission to the RRC Polytech College are:

To gain admission to the PG Diploma courses at the RRC Polytech College students must have completed the following qualifications: Proof of a two-year diploma or a graduate degree, and Post-secondary transcripts. Students who have not completed three years of schooling in Canada also have to take one of the following English Language Assessments:

• Academic English Program of University and College Entrance (AEPUCE )
• Canadian Academic English Language
• Canadian Language Benchmark 
• Duolingo English Test
• IELTS
• LSI (Language Studies International)
• PTE - Academic Online Assessment
• Password Skills
• Password Skills Plus
• TOEFL-iBT

The RRC Polytech College has four admission intakes in the Fall (late August) Spring (May) Summer (July) and Winter (January) for their various courses.

Some of the top courses at the RRC Polytech College are:

Colleges in Ottawa for PG Diploma:

University of Ottawa: The University of Ottawa is the largest bilingual university in the world. The courses are taught in English and French. It has world-class amenities for its students. It runs post-graduate diploma programs ranging from 8 months to 2 years duration. 

Qualifications for Admission to the University of Ottawa are:

The University of Ottawa requires students to complete their graduation to be admitted to the post-graduate diploma program. Along with it, students must also provide all their academic statements and two letters of recommendation.

The University of Ottawa is a bilingual university. The courses are taught in English, French or a mix of both. Students who don’t have English and French as their first language have to prove their language competency in the language of the course they choose. For the French Program, students are required to have a certificate from DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale)(Internet-based) tests. For the English Program students have to get a TOEFL 84 (overall score).

The university has Fall, Summer and Winter intakes.

Some of the top courses at the University of Ottawa are:

Algonquin College: Algonquin College in Ottawa is on a mission to change dreams and hopes into lifelong success. The university has a wide range of diploma programs.

Qualifications for Admission to the Algonquin College are:

For admission to a PG diploma program at Algonquin College students have to complete their graduation. They must also have a good record of academic performance. Students also have to show English language proficiency with the following credentials: IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5, TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120. Along with this some courses also require additional educational qualifications for admission. 

Some of the top courses at the Algonquin College are:

Popular PG Diploma Courses in Canada

Canada offers two types of post-graduation diploma courses. Some courses are of one-year duration while some are two years.

Popular one-year PG Diploma courses include PG Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Professional Accounting, Computer Science and Cyber Security.

Popular two-year PG Diploma courses include PG Diploma in International Business, Computer Programming, Data Analytics, Project Management and Civil Engineering.

Specialisations:

Business and Management:

If you dream of becoming a business owner in future then a post-graduate diploma in business management will help you in the long run. These courses give practical knowledge. These courses can also help you get good jobs in global companies. PG Diploma in Supply Chain Management and Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics are some of the specialisations that are useful for businesses. Post-Graduate Diplomas in Accounting and Finance, and Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Resources, are some of the specialisations that can get you senior positions in the management field.

Technology and Engineering:

If technology is your passion, if making machines work is your interest then a post-graduation diploma in technology or engineering can be your choice. These courses will help you polish your skills and get better job prospects in the market. PG Diploma in Data Science and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security are some of the specialisations in the technology field. Here are some top branches in engineering students can consider.

Conclusion:

Thus we can say that pursuing a post-graduate diploma in Canada can be the boost you need for your career. You can receive high-quality education from globally ranked universities. A work permit is an added benefit for international students. You also get to enjoy the easygoing lifestyle in the country.

Therefore, if you are considering a PG Diploma in Canada contact our study abroad consultants for personalised advice and assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What are the fees for a post-graduate diploma in Canada?

Ans: The fees depend on the course you choose. A post-graduate diploma costs about CAD 32,000 to 60,000.  Students also have to consider the cost of living.

2) Which PG diploma is best in Canada?

Ans: There are many factors to consider when choosing a program. Every course has its positive as well as negative points. Students should consider all of these before finalising a course they want to take admission to.

3) Who is eligible for a PG Diploma in Canada?

Ans: To become eligible for admission to PG Diploma in Canada a student must have completed their university graduation. They have to qualify for language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS.