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What’s the Difference Between a Certificate, Diploma, and Degree in Canada?

If you’re studying in Canada as an international student, there are several levels of education that you can pursue.

Not sure which one is right for you? Here’s everything you need to know about the key characteristics and differences between a degree, a diploma, and a certificate in Canada, including pros, cons, costs, time commitment, and more. Plus, learn about the most in-demand programs that offer the highest pay, and the most job prospects for international students.

We’ll get into the finer details shortly, but the main differences between a certificate, a diploma, and a degree are the level of time commitment, cost, and type of training you receive.

In summary:

Certificates require less time and financial investment and provide more specialized training.
Diplomas provide more broad training that usually includes a hands-on component. They typically take more time than a certificate and are more expensive, but cheaper than a degree.
Degrees are more extensive and thorough than diplomas and certificates but are the most time-consuming and expensive. They can also offer a co-op or internship component depending on the program.

Some people may pursue multiple levels of education, such as a certificate after a degree, or a diploma and then a certificate. Keep in mind that starting with one doesn’t mean you can’t switch to other levels of study. We’ll cover more on that later.

Which is Better: A Certificate or Diploma in Canada?

This depends on your career goals, since both give you knowledge, skills, and tools to succeed in the workplace and your chosen career. It’s also important to note that both cost less than a degree.

It’s worthwhile to first research what level of education is recommended for the career you’re interested in. Don’t forget to take advantage of the career counselling services at your school. They can be a big help.

Can I Convert my Diploma to a Degree in Canada?

Yes, but it depends on whether your college or university offers a diploma to degree program that allows you to transfer your relevant credits towards the degree you’re interested in. Generally, you will need to make sure you meet the requirements as laid out by the school, which can include:

English proficiency
Grades and GPA
Successful application sent by the deadlines

You may also be eligible for bursaries and scholarships during this transfer process. Check the university’s student services for more information.

What is a Certificate?

A certificate offers you specialized training and skills for your career field of interest. It is given after completing a certificate program or short course.

Benefits of a certificate:
The pros of certificates include:

Flexible start and end dates as well as class times
Less expensive
Provides specialized skills and knowledge

Cons of a certificate:
Keep in mind that certificates have some cons such as:

Lack of comprehensive learning. Because of its focus on specialized learning, and a shorter time frame, certificates don’t always provide as much of a well-rounded education in comparison to degrees and diplomas.
Limited job flexibility. If you want to explore other avenues within your career field of interest, you may need to take other certificate courses.

Duration of study:
Usually less than a year.

Type of training: Hands-on training, field-specific specialized skills, and practical knowledge.

Academic requirements:
High school diploma.

Cost
$500 - $5,000 CAD

Salary Range:
$44,850 - $121,994 CAD per year*

* It is important to note that many people get certificates after completing a diploma or degree, which is why the salary range is wide.

Top 10 Certificates in Canada for International Students The most in-demand certificates in Canada are:

Business Administration
Information Technology
Media and Communications
Human Resources Management
Pharmacy
Project Management
Accounting
Economics and Finance
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Graphic Design

What is a Diploma?

A diploma focuses on a specific field but offers a more generalized type of education that provides skills and learning for different career paths.

Types of diplomas:

Regular - The most common type, which typically doesn’t involve a co-op or internship and is focused on in-class learning.
Advanced - A more specialized type of education that offers a co-op or internship component.
Graduate - This type of diploma can be completed after an advanced or regular diploma and involves both study and hands-on training.

Benefits of a diploma
The pros of a diploma include:

Affordable cost, in comparison to degrees
Real world training through hands-on learning and a co-op or internship component
Networking opportunities

Cons of a diploma
There are some disadvantages to diplomas, including:

Costs more than certificates
Greater time commitment than certificates

Duration of study:

Regular - 2 years
Advanced - 3 years
Graduate - 1-2 years

Type of training:
Comprehensive in-class and hands-on learning and training.

Academic requirements:

Regular - High school diploma
Advanced - High school diploma
Graduate - Regular/advanced diploma or bachelor’s degree

Cost
$6,000 - $15,000 CAD

Salary Range:
$48,867 - $96,655 per year

Top 10 In-Demand Diploma Programs in Canada for International Students
Here are the top diploma programs to pursue in Canada:

Engineering
Information Technology
Economics
Data Science
Marketing
Public Relations
Accounting
Graphic Design
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Human Resource Management

What is a Degree?

What is a Degree?
A degree aims to provide a more concentrated and thorough level of knowledge for a specific field.

Types of degrees:

Bachelor’s - An undergraduate degree that’s given after completing 3-4 years of full-time study at a university.
Master’s - A degree given after 1-2 years of study that reflects a more specialized level of knowledge.
Doctorate/PhD - Research-based degree given after 3-7 years of study. A doctorate or PhD is the highest level of education you can get in Canada.

Benefits of a degree
The pros of a degree includes:

Potential for increased earning
Networking opportunities
More comprehensive level of education

Cons of a degree
Degrees come with some disadvantages like:

Longest time commitment
Most expensive

Duration of study:

Bachelor’s - 3-4 years
Master’s - 1-2 years
Doctorate/PhD - 3-7 years

Type of training: In-class training, analytic coursework, and co-op/internship training (depending on the program).

Academic requirements:

Bachelor’s - High school diploma
Master’s - Bachelor’s degree
Doctorate/PhD - Master’s degree

Cost
$14,000 - $31,000 CAD

Top Degree Programs in Canada for International Students
Here are the best degrees for international students in Canada.

Top 10 In-Demand Undergraduate Programs:
The best undergraduate degrees for international students in Canada are:

Business and Finance
Computer Science
Engineering
Marketing and Communications
Nursing
Psychology
Economics
Accounting
Mathematics
Health

Top 4 Highest-Paying Postgraduate Programs
According to the Government of Canada, the highest-paying postgraduate programs are:

Finance and Financial Management - Average salary of $106,578
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences - Average salary of $103,059
Accounting - Average salary of $102,610
Business, Commerce, and Business Administration - Average salary of $100,022

What are the Most In-Demand Jobs in Canada?

Whether you decide to pursue a certificate, diploma, or degree, here’s a roundup of the current 15 most in-demand jobs as well as the recommended area of study according to Zippia, Randstad and ZipRecruiter. Remember, these are only recommendations. Available programs and areas of study (and what they’re called) may differ from school to school. If you’re interested in any of these careers, reach out to your college or university and ask them about what programs they recommend based on your goals.