Question by loraxan: sorry to ask but what’s the difference between colleges and universities in Canada?
i know this has been asked so many times before and i checked but couldnt find a satisfying answer. i’m an international who plans to attend as an undergraduate to a film production school in canada next year and i’m searching schools right now.
like, there is York in Toronto, and then there is Humber. they both have film production programs. humber is 3 years and york is four. they both have campuses.
i’m very confused about what makes one a college and the other an university, and mostly, how does it gonna change my experience as a student to go to one or other. what changes in the education, in student life, and do these two are just examples but i’d appreciate any detailed information about these schools or anything in canada.
thanks already
Best answer:
Answer by capitalgentleman
It can be a little confusing!
A University grants degrees. This usually takes 3 – 5 years, depending on the province, and if it is a Honours degree or not.
A community college grants a diploma. Programs there can be a few days, up to 3 years or so. Most are 1 or 2 years.
Now for the complicated bit: Some universities have sub-schools within them that are named colleges. They are actually part of the university, and would be called a department in other universities, but they are named XXXXX College. This is a little like in the UK.
Also, some colleges have degree granting rights. This is very limited, and often in conjunction with a nearby university.
Universities also do academic training, while colleges do vocational training. So, if you want to study mathematics, you go to university. If you want to become a plumber, you go to college. More or less!
Add your own answer in the comments!