In Canada, post-secondary institutions are divided into two major types. The university provides academic and professional training, and research leading to degrees (BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD, etc.)

The community college offers certificate and diploma programs in career and vocational training. College-level institutions may also be known as colleges of applied arts and technology, technology institutes. Academic transfers from community colleges to universities are sometimes possible. In Quebec, colleges d'enseignement general et professionnel (cegeps) offer two types of program: vocational programs are 3 years, and pre-university programs are 2 years.

There are also several university colleges, which straddle the line between universities and colleges. They offer selected undergraduate (bachelor's ) programs but not graduate (master's and doctoral) programs, as well as college programs. 

There is no formal ranking of institutions in Canada. They are remarkably uniform in quality across the country .

There are about 90 degree-granting institutions and 150 community colleges in Canada. The academic year generally runs from September to April. Spring and summer courses are available in most cases. Some institutions operate on a semester or trimester system which allows them to accept students to begin studies in September, January or May. University undergraduate programs normally last three to five years, while community colleges offer programs ranging from one to three years.

English and French are Canada's two official languages. At most universities and colleges, instruction is in one of the two languages, although a few use both. Students applying for admission must satisfy the institution's language proficiency requirements in the language of instruction. You should inquire at the time of application if a language proficiency test is required, and ask about the procedures for taking the test.

EMPLOYMENT

This section applies chiefly to international post-secondary students.

As a student, you may work on the campus of the publicly funded post-secondary institution at which you are enrolled on a full-time basis without an employment authorization.