The evolving nature of the digital age has led to the increased use of data for making decisions in different industries. Data analysts are responsible for the collection, transformation and organisation of these data to be properly used for reaching conclusions, predicting an event, revealing a trend or making informed decisions.
With over 43,200 companies in the Canadian ICT sector, there is a high demand for Data Analysts in Canada and It is one of the most lucrative careers in the Canadian economy.
To secure a high-demand job opportunity in Data Analytics in Canada, you need to have a Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics. There are schools in Canada that offer this program, continue reading to know which of them will be your best choice and the requirements for you to enroll.
What is a Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics?
A Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics is a program offered at the postgraduate level, which means only those who already have a bachelor’s degree or a relevant first degree can apply.
The Post Graduate Diploma Program in Data Analytics is an advanced program that provides applicants of this program with specialised knowledge and hands-on skills in data analytics.
The sole aim of a Post Graduate Diploma program in Data Analytics is to develop graduates who will be technically innovative, competent and top practitioners in Data Analytics.
Individuals who will graduate with a Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics will be able to conduct reliable research and analysis in the field of data analytics.
Schools Offering Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics in Canada
1. Douglas College
This school is located in New Westminster, Canada. Their Faculty of Commerce and Business, Department of Computing Studies and Information Systems offers a Data Analytics Post-Degree Diploma. The program is for applicants who have a background in Computer Science.
With their Post-Degree Diploma in Data Analytics, you can boost your employability and get started on a path to becoming an information systems analyst or manager, database analyst, data administrator and more.
The program is an intensive 1-year program. It promises to allow applicants to learn specialised technical skills in data technology and business intelligence strategy to launch their career in Data Analytics.
A survey from a source (B.C.Student Outcomes) shows that 100% of their Data Analytics graduates are working in their field after graduation.
| Program Name | Data Analytics Post-Degree Diploma |
| Start Date | Domestic (Fall 2024) International (Summer: May 2024, Fall: September 2024, Winter: January 2025) |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Credits | 30 |
Admission Requirements:
- Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada or an equivalent credential from an approved institution in a different country. Any applicant who earned their credential in a language other than English must meet the Douglas College English language proficiency requirement.
- Applicants with an undergraduate degree other than Science, Technology, Business, or Math/Statistics will need to show proficiency in the Business / Technology field by way of extra coursework/work experience and can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
2. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
This school is located in Edmonton, Canada. They offer a Postgraduate Certificate in Data Analytics.
Their program will provide applicants with the skills needed to inform real-world business decision-making and planning through data insights, analysis, visualisations, and predictions.
Individuals who apply for their program can start a career in any of the following areas upon graduation:
- Data Analyst
- Operations Analyst
- Information, Evaluation, and Data Analyst
- Clinical Informatics Analyst
- Health Information Analyst
- Corporate Finance Analyst
- Data engineers
- Machine Learning Engineer
- HR Data Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Reporting Analyst
| Program Name | Postgraduate Certificate in Data Analytics |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Start Date | September 2024 |
| Apply Date | April 2024 |
| Tuition | 25,442,512 NGN/Year |
Admission Requirements:
- Successful completion of a diploma or degree in an accredited or recognized engineering technology, applied science, health science, business, or information technology program with a minimum GPA of 2.0
- Maths 30-1 or Math 30-2
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
3. University of Calgary
This University is located at 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada. They offer a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics.
Their Program promises to:
- Equip students with the ability to apply the fundamental core concepts and tools of data thinking to their work in any industry or sector.
- Provide experiential learning with applications of more advanced data science and analytics tools.
- Provide tools to specific professional fields such as business analytics, health data science and biostatistics
Applicants who apply for their program can choose to focus on advanced skills in core data science such as machine learning and information visualisation.
The diploma program appeals to both professionals who want to advance in their current career/industry and those who want to pivot their careers or change industries.
| Program Name | Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Tuition | $13,548 |
Admission Requirements:
- A four-year baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution
- A minimum admission grade point average of 3.00 on a four-point scale or equivalent
The successful completion of the following undergraduate courses:
- One course in computer programming (such as Computer Science 217, Computer Science 231, Data Science 211, or equivalent)
- One course in statistics (such as Statistics 205, Statistics 217, Statistics 321, Statistics 327, or equivalent), and
- One course in either calculus or linear algebra (such as Mathematics 249, 265, 275, or equivalent).
4. Holland College
Located at 140 Weymouth Street Charlotte Town, Prince Edward Island, Canada. This school offers a Post-Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics. Their program will enable applicants to:
- Learn how to use historical and current data to predict future outcomes.
- Analyse information and data to prepare thoughtful insights and recommendation
- Learn how to collect, sort and analyse data efficiently
- Learn how to use predictive analytic techniques like statistical modelling and forecasting to prepare insights, predict problems and improve outcomes
- Learn skills they can apply to projects in a wide range of industries
- Put new applied learning to the test by completing a Capstone project with an industry partner
- Meet key players in local organisations to start building professional networks
- Have access to the College’s Business Analytics Centre for use with industry-based clients
- Use prescriptive analytics tools
- Apply logic and mathematical principles to data, study optimization and simulation techniques and prepare recommendations to support decision-making processes
- Explore concepts in data analytics to learn how natural language processing, deep learning, and artificial intelligence can be integrated into research and reporting
- Possess the knowledge, skills and aptitude to apply fundamental principles of data analytics, aligning data with business to make data-driven decisions.
| Program Name | Post-Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics |
| Start Date | September |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Program Availability | Fall 2024 Term |
| Tuition | $8582 Canadian, $14,432 International |
Admission Requirements:
- Post-secondary diploma or degree
- Resume including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions and any other information about yourself relevant to the program
- English Language Proficiency
Final Thoughts
As you are applying for your Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics from the schools listed. Ensure you choose a school that has provision for impacting the required skills, knowledge and practical experience to become a professional in your career.
Make proper checking for schools that give opportunities for professional networking while you are still learning. Compare their provisions and promises to your goals for the career.
Confirm all admission requirements of each school, and make provisions for those requirements you don’t have. Doing all these, the journey to fulfil your dream of becoming a Professional Data Analyst will get started on the right path.