Vocational Courses in Canada for International Students
By pursuing vocational courses in Canada, international students are choosing a career-oriented experience that is perfectly in sync with today’s dynamic job market. Studying in Canada is not just about getting a degree but it is about the world-class experience which opens up endless opportunities to advance your knowledge and your skills.
Features of vocational courses in Canada:
Vocational courses in Canada for international students are more popular than regular degree programs. These vocational courses in Canada have the following features:
- It is offered at comparatively lower fees and shorter course duration than the regular degree programs
- Several institutions in Canada offer online and distance learning vocational courses for international students
- Vocational courses in Canada for international students also provide on-campus work opportunities. Whereas, a foreign student can work off-campus up to 20 hours a week after six months of stay in Canada
- It allows exposure and gains valuable work experience which is usually associated with regular degree programs abroad
Popular vocational courses in Canada for international students:
| Popular field of study | What does it cover |
|---|---|
| Architectural Technology | Residential & commercial designing |
| Health Science | Nursing, Massage therapy, Medical office assisting, Fitness & nutrition, Emergency medical technician, Pharmacy technician training, Health Science assistance |
| Horticulture Technology | Understanding of commercial functionality of the market |
| Industrial Electrician | Theory-based practical learning. After completion, students must register as an apprentice with the Canadian Department of Education |
Top colleges offering vocational courses in Canada for international students:
| Ontario | Algonquin Careers Academy |
| Canadian Career College of Innovative Technology and Management | |
| CTS Canadian Career College | |
| Durham College | |
| George Brown College | |
| Centennial College | |
| Mohawk College | |
| Humber College | |
| British Columbia | University of the Fraser Valley |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Community College |
Eligibility for vocational courses in Canada for international students:
Unlike regular degree courses, vocational courses in Canada for international students need not rely on exams like GMAT or GRE for admission. In order to get admitted to one of the vocational courses in Canada for international students, one English proficiency test is mandatory. Such tests will evaluate only your language efficiency and not quant or reasoning skills.
Below is a list of exams to assess your English proficiency and get admitted to one of the vocational courses in Canada for international students.
| IELTS: International English Language Testing System | IELTS mainly assesses the ability of a candidate to communicate in the four basic language skills – listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
IELTS exam is usually available in Academic or General pattern. The Academic pattern is for admission whereas the General pattern is for Visa or scholarship purposes. The British Council conducts the IELTS exam once a week (four times a month). The British Council Global Schedule for global test dates is 48 days per year. However, if a candidate is not satisfied with his scores he can take the exam again after three months from the date of the first exam. Candidates are judged on band level 9-band level 0 |
| CAEL: Canadian Academic English Language Assessment Test | The CAEL Assessment is unique in more than one way. Unlike other standardized tests of English, it is a topic-based performance test. The assessment comprises an integrated set of language activities. Candidates are required to read articles, listen to a lecture, answer questions and write a short essay – all on one subject.
Candidates are assessed on a score of 10-90 equivalent of TOEFL being 50-120 |
| PTE: Pearson Test of English | PTE Academic is a computer-based test for English proficiency. The candidates are assessed on listening, reading, speaking and writing abilities of non-native speakers of English. |
| TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language | Measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university there.
The candidate is assessed in four sections, namely, Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing – along with the total score. Candidates are assessed on a score of 0-120. |