Most students these days dream of continuing their education in a foreign country. Apart from the opportunity of studying abroad, there is an added advantage of finding a job there and building your career in the best possible way. If you are planning to pursue higher education in Canada, it is natural to be confused when choosing a degree or diploma course in Canada. Many students and their parents might have an assumption that a degree course is much better than a diploma course; however, in today’s world, this may not always be true.
Canada is one of the top five destinations in the world ideal for higher education, offering a wide range of degree courses in Canada. Diploma and PG Diploma courses in Canada are more career-oriented and goal-oriented. Diploma courses in Canada are known for their quality education, internship and job opportunities during and after the course, affordable tuition fees, and friendly environment.
Do you know?
Canada has seen exponential growth in the number of Indian students year after year. According to Statistics, in 2021, 621,565 international students hold study permits for various levels of study. The number of international students in Canada studying only in higher education institutions is currently 388,782 students.
All set? Come along to know more…
Topics covered
What all is covered in this post?
To make it easier for you, we have created a quick guide to everything you need to know about diploma in Canada.

Why study diploma courses in Canada?
Before discussing the best diploma courses in Canada, you must understand why to study a diploma in Canada over a degree course:
- It can be completed in relatively less time, usually 1-2 years, even if you’re doing a part-time course
- Less expensive than degree courses
- Flexible class times suited to students who are also working professionals
- Learn specific skills needed for the job market
- Offers internships that give you more practical knowledge.
- Opens opportunities for internships and summer programs abroad.
- Students can also pursue these diploma courses while continuing with their full-time degrees.
Types of diploma courses in Canada
Following are the two types of diploma offered in Canada:
Undergraduate diploma in Canada – Courses
Once you’ve completed your secondary education, you’ll move on to further undergraduate studies in established fields.
It is further divided into two parts i.e. regular and advanced.
A regular undergraduate diploma is a 2-year course that offers specialization in a particular field. On the other hand, the duration of the Advanced Diploma course is three years. Advanced Diploma courses also give preference to internship opportunities to refresh your skills by working on practical scenarios.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Canada – Courses
One-year diploma courses: This includes 2-3 semesters of academics costing around 10,000 – 15,000 CAD. They enhance your skills and job prospects in your chosen field.
Two-year diploma courses: This includes 4 – 6 semesters of academics, which can cost around CAD 13,000 – 17,000. The main advantage of applying for a two-year degree is that it allows you to stay for 3 years of work.
Admission Requirements for diploma courses in Canada
To apply for diploma in Canada, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- To apply for a diploma, you must have a secondary education.
- For a postgraduate degree, the minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree with a certain minimum percentage that varies from college to college and degree to degree.
- Students from non-English speaking countries must submit the results of an English language test: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or CAEL.
- Institutions with a French-language curriculum will require applicants to pass French language proficiency tests such as DELF, DALF, TEF, and others.
- A Canadian study permit is required for candidates who want to complete 1-year courses in Canada. If the duration of the course is less than six months, you can apply for a temporary visa.

Best diploma courses in Canada after the 12th
Here are some diploma courses that are popular with international students planning to study in Canada:
- Accounting Administration
- Animation & Multimedia
- Artificial Intelligence
- Business Administration
- Business Management
- Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
- Data Science and Big Data
- Dental Office Administration
- Economics
- Graphic Designing
- Human Resource Management
- Information Technology
- Legal Office Administration
- Machine Learning
- Marketing & Public Relations
- Medical Office Administration
- Network Administration
- Nursing and Pharmacy
- Supply Chain and Logistics Management
- Telecommunications Technician
Explore a broader range of courses available in Canada
Top Canadian colleges offering diplomas
Take a look at the popular diploma colleges in Canada:
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
- Algonquin College
- Conestoga College
- Toronto School of Management
- Canadian College of Technology and Business
- College of the Rockies
- Durham College
- Cambrian College
Diploma course fees in Canada
International students need about $20,000-$30,000 to be able to study and live in Canada. The total fees can be divided into tuition fees and living expenses. Tuition fees vary for different degree courses in Canada depending on the type and duration of the program.
Diploma courses in Canada are relatively affordable than other undergraduate and graduate programs for international students. Colleges in Alberta charge students the lowest tuition fees. Top Canadian universities charge around Rs. 4-12 lakhs per year for diploma courses in Canada.
Living expenses vary greatly depending on the standard of living of the students and from province to province in Canada. The cost of living includes the cost of health insurance, room, board, and other personal expenses.
Here are the fees details of the above-mentioned top colleges
College | Fees |
Durham College | Rs. 8 to 10 lakhs per year |
Cambrian College | Rs. 4 to 9 lakhs per year |
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) | Rs. 9 lakhs per year |
Conestoga College | Rs. 10 lakhs per year |
Toronto School of Management | Rs. 6 to 9 lakhs per year |
Epilogue
Now that you are armed with this information, we hope you’re ready to make your next big career decision! Still confused? Do dial us up.
iDreamCareer is on a mission to reach every state and every child to ensure that talent is appropriately delivered into the industry.
Talk to our study abroad experts to know yourself in and out! We have helped several brilliant but confused minds to select their most-suited career choices. We have helped many students like Anjana Prasanna who was not very confident about her capabilities. Later with the help of career guidance and moral support from our study abroad experts she got an offer from King’s College London! We have also helped several brilliant but confused minds like Aayush, and Tapan to select their most-suited career choices.
Also Read:
- Study in Canada
- Canada Student Visa
- Intakes in Canada
- Canada PR
- IELTS Requirement for Canada
- PTE Score for Canada
- Highest Paying Jobs in Canada
- SOP For Canada
- Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
- Top Universities in Canada
- Best Medical Colleges in Canada
- Best Engineering Colleges in Canada
- MBA Colleges in Canada
- Best Universities in Canada for MS
- Top Public Universities in Canada
FAQs
Depending on your own choice of education, you can always get a diploma or a degree in Canada. But one thing that you should remember is a degree will lead to better professional and career opportunities. You can also go on to a doctoral program once you have completed your master’s course.
In most cases, a two-year diploma in Canada is known as a postgraduate degree. It is 4-6 semesters of academic study, which can cost around CAD 13,000 – 17,000. The main advantage of applying for a two-year degree is that it allows you to stay for 3 years of work.
Of course, if you find the right diploma course, you can certainly pursue it in Canada. They compensate for vocational or professional occupations, and in some cases, they may be sufficient for employment.
To pursue a diploma in business administration in Canada, the candidate must have completed his/her 10+2 or graduated with good academic scores. The candidate must have cleared English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.

Anushree has 4+ years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Senior Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.