Each provincial and territorial government governs education in Canada, so there are slight differences between the education systems in each province. Although, all of them are trying to maintain a qualified, established, and innovative higher education system offered to prospective domestic and international students. Canada’s education system includes public and private schools where public colleges or universities still require students to pay tuition fee, but it is reasonably less than tuition at a private college or university. All of these educational institutions offer degrees, diplomas, certificates, and attestations depending on the status of the institution and the nature and length of the program.

Post-secondary education is divided into three main categories: 1) career college also known as Vocational Education Training (VET), 2) community college, and 3) university. According to Canada’s Council of Ministers of Education, Canada has 163 recognized public and private universities and 183 public colleges and institutes, including those granting applied and bachelor’s degrees. Furthermore, there are 68 university-level institutions and 51 college-level authorized institutions where only selected programs are approved under provincially established quality assurance programs.

These schools can be 4-year or 2-year, single-facility, multi-campus or online institutions, and credentials might include 3- and 4-year bachelor’s degrees, plus 1- or 2-year certificates, diplomas, and associate’s degrees. Additionally, there are some specialty Christian colleges, field-specific, and culture-specific institutions. Most Canadian universities and colleges offer general education programs such as business administration, health, education, computers, arts, sciences, engineering, architecture, culinary/hospitality, applied technology, and much more.

Canada’s university or college programs can prepare students for a specific job or career, provide a broad education in order to apply to ever-changing global market jobs and many potential careers, or enable students better access to graduate schools. Canada’s internationally ranked universities and colleges with well-developed and innovative undergraduate and graduate programs help students to achieve their goals and future plans.

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