An overview of Canada’s education system

The structure of the education system in Canada

Pre-elementary (kindergarten)

These are educational programs offered to young children (4-5 years) before they begin elementary school at age six. They’re offered by public, private, and federal schools, as well as schools for the visually and hearing impaired.

In most jurisdictions, kindergarten is offered to children who turn 5 years of age by a certain date in the school year, as specified by jurisdictional or provincial legislation. Kindergarten is optional in most jurisdictions, although mandatory in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  Some jurisdictions offer full-day programs, some have half-day programs, and some offer both.

Kindergarten studies are really a way of preparing youngsters for the next level of education (primary). And so, students are introduced to the alphabet, pre-reading and mathematics skills, music, art, and play.

Primary (Elementary)

Primary education is compulsory for all children and usually begins at age 6 or 7. Students receive six years of primary education — typically broken down in the following manner:

• Grade 1 (ages 6–7)

• Grade 2 (ages 7–8)

• Grade 3 (ages 8–9)

• Grade 4 (ages 9–10)

• Grade 5 (ages 10–11)

• Grade 6 (ages 11–12)

Students usually study under only one teacher for the whole school year, in a single classroom.  They learn a number of subject areas, including mathematics, reading, language arts (usually English language, but French in Quebec), social studies, history, geography, science, music, art and physical education.  Of course, the difficulty increases with every passing grade, as students learn to master new skills.

Special education programs often have one to four instructional aides present, depending on the type and severity of the students’ disabilities.

Secondary

Secondary education in Canada consists of two levels:  intermediate (junior high school) and high school.

Intermediate education

Once students have successfully completed their final year of elementary or primary education, or Grade 6, they move on to intermediate education. This is a two-year educational stage:

• Grade 7 (ages 12–13)

• Grade 8 (ages 13–14)

In Grade 7 students are introduced to the process of attending different classrooms throughout the day and having different teachers for every class.  These teachers are specialists in their subjects and must have a single-subject teaching certificate.

This stage really prepares pupils for the next phase of secondary education, or high school.  The same subjects are taught as in primary school, although the difficulty increases substantially. Other subjects are added, such as foreign language instruction—French, Spanish, English (for Quebec students), etc.

High school

Having successfully completed the 8th Grade, students are promoted once again to high school — a four year program that breaks down in this way:

• Grade 9 (ages 14–15)

• Grade 10 (ages 15–16)

• Grade 11 (ages 16–17)

• Grade 12 (ages 17–18)

• Grade 12+(ages 18-19) -In the Province of Ontario only

It’s compulsory for students to remain in high school until at least the age of 16, regardless of their grade. This is not the case for Ontario and New Brunswick, where students must remain in school until age 18, or until they successfully complete high school and are awarded a diploma.  Approximately 90% of students in Canada successfully complete high school and are awarded a diploma.

Canada’s high schools are designed to prepare students for a college or university education and/or provide them with the skills to succeed in the workforce once they graduate.  And so, they offer a variety of programs - vocational (job-training) as well as academic.  Some jurisdictions even offer dual credit courses that simultaneously give students both high school and postsecondary credits.

Post-Secondary

College and universities

Once students successfully graduate from high school (Secondary V in Quebec) they’re free to apply to the college or university of their choice.

The term college usually refers to a community college or a technical, applied arts, or applied science school.  They grant vocational certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees.  Many students use them as a way to prepare further for a university education, gaining transferrable credits that can be applied once they transfer.  Others use college to prepare for a trade or vocation, earning a diploma or certificate that would allow them to immediately pursue employment opportunities.

A university in Canada is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. These levels are available:

• Bachelor’s Degree.  A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate degree that typically takes three, four, or five years to complete (depending on the province and class availability) for full-time students.

• Master’s Degree. A Master of Arts or Master of Science is known as a graduate degree, one that typically takes two years to complete.

• PhD.  The Doctorate or PhD degree is a specialised post-graduate degree that can take anywhere from 3-6 years to complete.

Vocational schools and apprenticeships

As well as community colleges, which offer some vocational training, students can also learn a vocation or trade at one Canada’s many private vocational and technical schools, or via an apprenticeship program.

The grading system in Canada

If you’re considering moving to Canada to study, it’s important to know that the grading system in Canada’s higher education institutions differs from other countries. Plus, all the ten provinces of Canada have a special grading system and each of them assigns its own system. For example, schools in Quebec and British Columbia don’t include the grade “D”, thus making the grade “C” as the lowest grade for passing the threshold.

To get a clearer picture, see the table below* for how the grading system works in Quebec. Quebec includes a number of universities that share the same grading system such as: McGill University, Université of Montréal, Université of Québec, and others. Students can pass the exams if they’ve completed 60% or 64% of the questions correctly. Thus, making us the passing grade “C” since the above percentage indicates such grade. However, with the compromise of professors, one can get the grade C in the range of 56-59%.

*Source: https://studying-in-canada.org/canada-grading-system/

Studying in Canada as an international student

According to immigration.ca, Canada is home to 21 of the world’s top 500 universities and 32 in the top 1,000. So it’s no wonder so many want to come and study here. If you are considering it, here are the steps you need to take.

Understand the requirements

Before applying to a Canadian education institution it’s crucial you understand the different requirements for schools and the courses they offer.

Ideally, you should start planning for your Canadian study permit at least a year in advance. Common requirements for all universities and institutions include an updated passport, proficiency in either English or French, along with proof of passing prescribed language tests with minimum grades/bands, and proof that you can finance your study, as well as the cost of living in the country.

Choose your course and institution

In choosing an institution to study at, make sure it is a Designated Learning Institution. Only DLIs can admit foreign students.

You will be required to choose a specific major course when applying to study in Canada. You can often switch courses, although it’s best to compare your options beforehand and choose a major that you’re truly interested in pursuing.

Take the Language Proficiency Test

In order to study in Canada, you’ll need to prove proficiency in English or French. IELTS is the preferred test for proficiency in English, with some institutions also accepting the Cambridge English: Advanced or TOEFL exam score.

For French, you can opt for DALF, DELF, or TCF, although the TEF exam is the most common option. Choose the test, pay the fee, and book your dates well in advance.

Apply to universities

Before you apply, look at all your options, then identify your preferred course and institution. Always select one or two alternatives as backups. Remember, the application fee can vary from $100 to $250.

Be very careful when filling in the application form and make sure you provide accurate information backed with documentary evidence.

If accepted, you must confirm your interest and the university will send an acceptance letter. This will play a significant role in the formalities ahead.

Apply for a Study Permit

Once you have an institution ready to admit you, it’s time to apply for the Canadian Study Permit. You can apply online or visit your local visa application centre. Your application must be accompanied by the acceptance letter received in the previous step, your passport, and documentary proof that you have adequate finances to study in Canada.

If you’ve applied to an institution in the province of Quebec, then you’ll also receive, along with the acceptance letter, a “Certificat d’acceptation du Québec” (CAQ). Make sure you include this document in your study permit application.

Plan your travel

Once your application has been processed and your interview (if required) has taken place, the immigration officer will decide upon your study permit application. If you’re accepted, you can start planning your travel to Canada.

Your permit will have a start date. And you won’t be permitted to enter Canada before this date. So, plan your travel around this.

Study time

Your permit and other documents will be verified at your port of entry to Canada. This is the final step of the immigration formalities and you can now focus on becoming an international student in Canada.

Start your education in Canada

We’re here to help make your move to Canada as stress-free as possible. So, you may find the guidance in some of our articles extremely useful.

Have questions about the cost of living in Canada? We can help. Want to know more about the ins and outs of moving to Canada? We have all the information you need. Plus, if you finally decide to stay and make things more permanent after your studies we can tell you how to apply for Canadian citizenship.

Education in Canada: FAQs

Does Canada have free education?

Public elementary or primary school, secondary, or high school is free for residents of Canada. However, many schools charge fees for international students.

When it comes to colleges and universities, tuition fees for international students vary depending on the program and location you choose.

Why do international students choose Canada?

Canada has been named one of the best countries in the world for international studies. Students travel from far and wide to study here. The country has an impressive higher education system, as many of its universities feature in global rankings. Canada’s University of Toronto and McGill University are listed in the top 30 universities in the world by QS World Rankings.

Is pre-school optional in Canada?

Elementary school (or kindergarten) is optional in most jurisdictions of Canada, although it is mandatory in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

This communication is intended for marketing purposes only and does not constitute or provide legal, tax, investment or financial planning related advice.