Nigerians looking to study abroad often opt for diploma courses in Canada, as it allows them to complete their program in a short time and become a part of the workforce.
In this article, we talk about some of the popular diploma programs to consider when applying to any Canadian university for admission.
What is a Diploma Course?
Also called a diploma program, it is a course that allows you to have a few years of studies before completion. Canadian universities offer some of these and on completion, graduates will have hands-on experience with some career-ready skills that increase their chances of being gainfully employed on graduation.
Types Of Diploma Programs to Undergo in Canada
Since getting a diploma certification requires both hands-on and real-world experiences, students are better informed about what their choices are.
These are some of the popular types or categories of diplomas in Canada:
Undergraduate Diploma
This type of diploma program is ideal for secondary or high school graduates looking to get to the next level of their educational pursuits.
The undergraduate diploma, on completion, allows you to major or focus on the most prominent fields of study.
Worth mentioning is that this type of diploma course is available in two (2) primary variants:
Undergraduate Diploma (General)
This is the generalistic version of the program. International students are required to complete this two-year program to gain hands-on experience in certain fields, such as:
- Engineering
- Business
- Artificial intelligence and;
- Computer programming.
Undergraduate Diploma Co-op
For this variant, undergraduates are introduced to a hands-on curriculum that doesn’t stop short of equipping them with interdisciplinary skills and the skills required to give them a better future.
Graduate Diploma
Students who have completed their post-secondary studies (typically after going through the undergraduate program) can proceed to take the graduate diploma courses. Up to 120 course credits and two-thirds of the academic year bring you to the end of the program.
Among many other things, the graduate diploma course is important for these reasons:
- It provides you with the prerequisite information exposure and skill acquisition; both designed to help you navigate graduate studies.
- Enrolling on the graduate diploma program also helps one to gain extra qualifications before commencing a Master’s degree program.
Postgraduate Diploma Courses
Also called PGD, it is a type of diploma designed for these purposes:
- Helps students gain almost the same experience as they would if they had decided to enrol for a Master’s degree program.
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in any field of study is commonly viewed as an equivalent to or at the same level as a Master’s degree. Thus, if you don’t have all the time or resources for a Master’s, this may be the shorter and more affordable route to take.
In Canada, international students are presented with any of these PGD options:
One-Year PGD
This program runs for a year and on completion, students must have learned real-world skills that enhance their skill sets and employability chances in the chosen field of study.
Two-Year PGD
This type of postgraduate diploma runs for two years. Within this time, international students are exposed to up to 6 semesters of academic learning. This is the most popular choice because of these reasons:
- It is similar to undergoing a Master’s degree in Canada.
- On completion, international students get access to a 3-year stay-back or post-study work permit. Thus, you’d be able to stay back in Canada and work up to 3 years before deciding on the next steps to take to elongate your stay in the country.
Domain-Wise List of Best Diploma Courses in Canada
International students, whether they’re applying for graduate, postgraduate or undergraduate diploma courses in Canada can get admitted at some top universities. We present below, some of the best courses by domains or fields of specialty.
1. Diploma in Technology and IT
The world is steadily advancing and as many posit, has become a global village with the cross-border creation of the Internet created. It is expected that in the coming years, the world will advance to better stages of online communications. That is one of the reasons why the diploma in technology and IT is attractive.
Information Technology (IT) enthusiasts will find placements in reputable companies seeking to advance online communications. Popular courses in this domain are:
- Game development
- Computer science
- Web development and;
- Software engineering
2. Diploma Design
This involves knowledge and being a creative artist; being able to visualize things. A diploma in design teaches you technical and creative skills. Students will also learn the following:
- Basics of design and the applications
- Introduction to the workings of design software.
Popular courses in this field of study include:
- Photography
- Graphics design
- Film production
- Interior design
3. Diploma in Business Management
Do you wish to learn how to manage and run a successful business? Maybe you’ve read the stories of established brands and wondered how best to replicate that. Getting a diploma in business management gives you that edge.
For example, when you specialize in human resources management; clarity will be given on the principles of HRM. You will also learn how to increase the efficiency of workers/employees by effectively managing, overseeing and attending to their duties at the workplace.
Courses to specialize in include:
- Project management
- Human Resources Management (HRM)
- Financial management
- International Business
4. Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism
Although the world as it is today revolves around technology; that doesn’t mean that conventional/traditional businesses wouldn’t flourish.
Today, tourism contributes hugely to individual countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Gaining a diploma in hospitality and tourism helps you to find placement in Canada’s tourism industry.
Courses include:
- Event management
- Hospitality management
- Culinary arts
Over the last couple of years, international students who completed any of the courses in this domain have been able to get gainful employment in several hospitality-related businesses:
- Hotels
- Airbnb apartment management
- Tourism agencies and tour guides
- Restaurants, where they find placements as chefs, bartenders and receptionists.
- Graduates also go on to take on event management jobs.
Other popular diploma courses in Canada to take are:
- Diploma in Architecture
- Diploma in Practical Nursing
- Diploma in Biotechnology
- Diploma in Network Administration
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- Diploma in Fine Arts
- Diploma in Cybersecurity
- Diploma in Animation
- Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management
- Postgraduate Diploma in Civil Engineering
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health
- Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Finance
- Diploma in Entrepreneurship
- Diploma in Health Sciences
- Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Media
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics
- Diploma in Financial Planning
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research
- Postgraduate Diploma in Network and Security Systems
- Diploma in Journalism
- Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Financial Management
Where To Study Diploma Courses in Canada
Both colleges and universities in Canada offer diploma courses for international students who recently completed high school or looking to proceed to graduate studies.
Here is a list of some of the top colleges and universities:
- Humber College
- Stephens College
- University of Waterloo
- Carleton University
- University of British Columbia
- George Brown College
- University of Winnipeg
- McMaster University
- Centennial College
- University of Ottawa
- North Island College
- Seneca College
- Niagara College
- Concordia University
- Durham College
- University of Calgary
- Simon Fraser University
- Algonquin College
- Queen’s University
- University of Alberta
- York University
- University of Victoria
- Western University
- Luther College
- Dalhousie University
- University of Windsor
- University of Guelph
- Ryerson University
- The University of Saskatchewan
How to Get Admitted to Study Diploma Courses in Canada
Besides having a list of the best colleges and universities to study for a diploma in Canada; it is also imperative to learn about the processes.
Follow these procedures:
a. Make a List of Colleges and Universities
You need to make a list of the colleges and universities that offer diploma courses in Canada; preferably the one(s) you wish to study.
You can get inspiration from some of the ones covered above.
b. Check for the Eligibility Criteria
Each of the colleges and universities has specific minimum requirements expected of the applicants. While these may vary by school, we present you with some of the common ones:
- Gather the relevant documents, including Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Reference (LOR), IELTS/TOEFL scorecards and academic transcripts.
- Meet the educational background requirements, such as a Bachelor’s degree (for a postgraduate diploma) or high school education (for a diploma).
- Meet the minimum score in IELTS or TOEFL as proof of language proficiency.
c. Submit an Application
Once you are sure of meeting the requirements, go ahead and to apply different colleges and universities that offer your desired diploma courses in Canada.
d. Arrange Your Funds
If your application is considered, the colleges or universities will reach out via email letting you know the next steps to take.
Every other step from there will require funding, so be sure to have your finances sorted out. You can also explore scholarship opportunities for international diploma students in Canada.
e. Prepare to Fly
You can then begin the process of obtaining a study visa to aid your flying out of your home country to study in Canada.
Conclusion
Enrolling on a diploma course in Canada is a step in the right direction. During their studies, students get to school and work up to 20 hours weekly. On completion, graduates can opt for a full-time job, while soring their transition from studies to working in the country.
The fees for any of the diploma courses differ by the institution and the domain. It could be as low as CAD 13,000 and as high as CAD 25,000. You can always explore scholarship and grant opportunities or take up part-time jobs to fund your studies.