Higher education in Canada falls into three broad categories: universities, university colleges and community colleges/ technical institutes. In broad terms, universities provide degree programs and community colleges diplomas in vocational areas of study, with university colleges coming somewhere between the two. In addition to the above, which is predominately publicly funded, there is a wide array of private colleges and institutes, some of which specialize in certain areas.

The Canadian university system is publicly funded, consisting 92 universities and university colleges registered with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). There is no overall federal structure or centralized accreditation system. This gives institutions a high degree of autonomy and contributes to the wide variety offered by the HE sector, while membership of the AUCC combined with provincial government charters ensure qualitative excellence across the board. This means that, regardless of the province or institution, the quali?cations students gain will be guaranteed international recognition.

University colleges combine the academic traditions of universities with the vocational/applied approach associated with colleges. They are able to offer university degrees but also run courses to diploma and certi?cate levels which encompass areas of study not necessarily associated with universities. These include practically orientated courses leading to vocational quali?cations and skills, English as a Second Language and so on. University colleges are able to register with AUCC.

Community colleges/ technical institutes are represented by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and there are over one hundred colleges, institutes of technology, university colleges and cégeps represented, with a full time student population of nearly a million.

Community colleges allow students a route into universities as well as providing university graduates with courses that give them vocational skills. Colleges typically provide a more job-related curriculum than universities, featuring smaller classes, off-campus course delivery, a greater ratio of laboratory space to classroom space, a more interactive teaching style and more inclusive entry criteria.

There are a few colleges that offer degrees and many of them have great opportunities to pursue practical courses with built in work terms for which students are paid. This can make them a practical and attractive option for international students, who may also bene?t from less stringent entry requirements and much lower fees.

Career colleges are privately owned and operated schools with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after a short study period. Students may want to consider applying to a career college if they require a short-term training program in media, ?lm studies, IT, graphic design and tourism for example.
The emphasis at technical/career colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of programs. They may specialize in speci?c areas such as business, computers and secretarial skills. Although privately owned, these schools are provincially approved and regulated, ensuring that program standards and quality are maintained. Career colleges have highly competitive fee structures.

source: i-studentadvisor.com, Studying in Canada