Canada is a popular choice for many international students. Should students choose to attend a college here? This article will share the top 15 best colleges in Canada that offer programs for both domestic and international students. Colleges often serve as preparation for a 4-year university program, although some colleges collaborate directly with universities or offer training certificates, vocational certificates, and associate degrees.
International students can definitely study at public colleges and universities in Canada that have DLI (Designated Learning Institution) status. Schools listed as DLIs are authorized by the Canadian government to accept international students. Public colleges often fall within the list of institutions that are eligible to issue work permits after graduation. However, not all colleges and universities in Canada are designated, so international students should research and consider their options carefully when choosing a school.
Canada has over 183 public educational institutions, including applied arts and bachelor’s degree colleges. Among them, the best public colleges in Canada include:
| List of the best public colleges in Canada | Location |
| Algonquin College | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) | Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5G 3H2 |
| Centennial College | East Toronto |
| Vancouver Community College | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Humber College | Ontario, Canada |
| Seneca College | Toronto, Canada |
| New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) | New Brunswick, Canada |
| Sheridan College | Greater Toronto Area |
| Durham College | Oshawa and Whitby, Greater Toronto Area, Ontario |
| George Brown College (GBC) | Downtown Toronto, Ontario |
| St. Lawrence College | Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall, Ontario, Canada |
| Mohawk College | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Cambrian College | Sudbury, Ontario, Canada |
| Niagara College | Near Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |
| Georgian College | Barrie, Ontario |
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is one of the best colleges in Canada. The public Algonquin College, located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was established in 1967 and is known as one of the leading colleges in Canada.
Algonquin College offers bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates with 155 diploma programs, 18 trade programs, 16 co-op programs, 6 joint degree programs, and 6 bachelor’s degree programs.
Algonquin College is one of the best colleges in Canada, offering joint degrees in collaboration with universities such as Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and Shopify University. Notable courses at Algonquin include Commerce, Hospitality Management, Information Technology, Nursing, Building Sciences, Interior Design, and Public Safety.
BCIT is one of the best government-funded colleges in Canada, located in British Columbia. Founded in 1964, BCIT has around 50,000 students, including 5,700 international students.
BCIT offers certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, and some master’s degrees in full-time and part-time programs. BCIT’s areas of training include Applied and Natural Sciences, Engineering, Business and Multimedia, Computing and Information Technology, Health Sciences, and Trades Training.
Centennial College is one of the top colleges in Canada. It is a public college in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The school was founded in 1966 and currently has five campuses: Morningside, Progress, Ashtonbee, Story Arts Center, and Downsview.
The school offers more than 260 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, certificates, post-graduate certificates, and apprenticeship training in various fields.
Through a partnership with the University of Toronto Scarborough, Centennial College can link its degrees in Health, Journalism, New Media Studies, Environmental Science and Technology, Applied Microbiology.
Vancouver Community College is a public college located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, established in 1965. One of the best government colleges in Canada, VCC is designated and offers international students post-graduation work permits.
The college offers both full-time and part-time courses. These programs are composed of 78 certificate programs, 28 diploma programs, and 3 bachelor’s degree programs across various study fields.
The fields of study include Academic Upgrading, Design, Hospitality, Music and Dance, Business, Health, Transportation, Culinary and Baking Arts, Hairstyling, Technology, Trades Training, ESL, Human and Family Services, and University Transfer programs.
Humber College is a public applied arts and technology college in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, established in 1967. Considered one of the best government colleges in Canada, Humber College comprises three campuses: Humber North, Lakeshore, and Orangeville.
At Humber College, students are awarded bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, certificates, post-graduate certificates, and apprenticeship programs in various study fields. Additionally, the school offers Bridge Training programs for internationally trained professionals in information technology and engineering.
Seneca College is a top public college in Canada. It is a public post-secondary institution in Ontario, Canada, established in 1967. The school offers full-time and part-time programs leading to diplomas, certificates, bachelor’s degrees, and post-graduate certificates.
Additionally, the school provides career services to assist graduates in finding employment. Moreover, the school has over 70 transfer agreements with local and international colleges and universities in Australia, the UK, South Africa, and the United States. Through these agreements, students have the opportunity to apply for further university credits.
New Brunswick Community College is a public college in New Brunswick, Canada, established in 1974. NBCC offers full-time, part-time, online, and professional development programs for both domestic and international students. The school also offers part-time and trade training programs.
Sheridan College is a public post-secondary institution in Ontario, Canada, established in 1967. The school has three campuses in Oakville, Brampton, and Mississauga. Sheridan College offers more than 130 programs leading to diplomas, certificates, post-graduate diplomas, and bachelor’s degrees.
This college is an ideal choice for students passionate about the arts, with programs in Animation & Illustration, Creative Writing and Publishing, Musical Theatre, Film & Design, and more. Additionally, the school offers programs in Business, Applied Computing, Engineering Technology, Community Studies, and Liberal Studies.
Durham College is a public applied arts and technology college in Durham, Ontario, Canada, established in 1967. The school has campuses at Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, and Whitby, Ontario.
Durham College offers full-time and online programs awarding certificates and diplomas in Business, Information Technology, Media, Arts, Design, General Arts, Science, Skilled Trades, Justice, Emergency Services, Health, and Engineering Technology.
George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology is a public post-secondary institution established in 1967. The school has three campuses: Casa Loma Campus, St. James Campus, and Waterfront Campus.
George Brown College offers various part-time and full-time programs leading to certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, and post-graduate diplomas in different fields of study. Courses offered at George Brown include Early Childhood Leadership, Arts and Design, Business Management, Community Services, Construction and Engineering Technology, Health Sciences, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Nursing, Finance, and Preparatory Studies.
Through a partnership with Ryerson University, the school offers eight degree programs in American Sign Language-English Interpretation, Applied Arts (Early Childhood Leadership), Early Childhood Education, Nursing, Commerce (Financial Services), Commerce (Hospitality Management), Applied Business (Hospitality Operations), and Technology (Construction Management).
St. Lawrence College is a public applied arts and technology college, established in 1967, and is one of the best colleges in Canada. The school has three campuses located in Eastern Ontario, specifically Brockville, Cornwall, and Kingston.
St. Lawrence College offers students part-time and full-time programs leading to certificates, diplomas, and advanced diplomas. Through a partnership with Laurentian University, the school offers bachelor’s degree programs in Nursing and Business Administration.
Mohawk College is a public applied arts and technology college in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, established in 1966. The school has three main campuses: Fennell Campus, Stoney Creek Campus, and Mohawk-McMaster Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster University.
Mohawk College offers over 130 full-time programs, apprenticeship programs, and more than 1,000 continuing education courses leading to diplomas, advanced diplomas, and post-graduate certificates. The school also offers joint degree programs in partnership with McMaster University.
Mohawk College is listed among the best colleges in Canada.
Cambrian College is one of the best colleges in Canada. It is a public college in Ontario, Canada, established in 1967. The school has campuses in Sudbury, Espanola, and Little Current. Cambrian College offers diplomas, certificates, and advanced diplomas in over 80 programs.
The certificate programs offered by Cambrian include Business Analysis, Community and Health Services Navigation, Human Resources Management, International Business Management, Mobile Application Development, Organizational Management, and Public Relations. The school is one of the best government colleges in Canada offering full-time and part-time education to students.
Niagara College is a public college of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada, established in 1967. The school is one of the best colleges in Canada, with three campuses: Welland Campus, Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, and Taif Campus in Saudi Arabia.
The college offers over 100 post-secondary diplomas, degrees, and advanced diploma programs to its students. The following fields of study are administered through these programs; food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, English as a second language, applied health and community safety, horticulture, and esthetics.
Additionally, the school offers a University Transfer program that allows graduates to pursue a degree through partnerships with Brock University, Canada Niagara University, USA Sanda University, China Santo Tomas University, Chile.
Georgian College is a public post-secondary institution of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada, established in 1967. The school has seven campuses in Barrie, Orillia, Owen Sound, Midland, Muskoka, South Georgian Bay, and Orangeville.
The school offers academic upgrading, apprenticeship training, certificates, diplomas, post-graduate certificates in automotive business, business and management, community safety, computer studies, design and visual arts, engineering technology & environmental studies, health, wellness, and sciences, hospitality, tourism and recreation, human services, Indigenous studies, liberal arts, marine studies, and skilled trades.
Through a partnership with Lakehead University, Georgian College offers combined degree programs to students. Online programs are also available at the school. This makes Georgian College one of the best government colleges in Canada.
These are the best colleges in Canada, and we hope this list helps you in your search.
Source: Study Abroad Nations
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