They say Canada has the nicest people on Earth, which is indeed an enough reason to visit it and to feel comfortable among its citizens as an international student. Canadians are very welcoming to international students, and they invest a lot into making sure students enjoy their stay in the country.

And, while you can enjoy a high living standard and a flexible study environment in Canada, you may feel that you’re not ready for a long-term commitment. If that’s the case with you, Canadian short courses are just what you are looking for.

Short courses in Canada are among the popular alternatives for international students worldwide due to their short duration, career-oriented curriculum, affordable fees, and flexible entry requirements.

Curious to know more? Read on!

Why study a short course in Canada?

  • Short term courses in Canada are preferred by international students who are not willing to stay in Canada for a long time.

  • Short courses in Canada are offered in the form of diploma and certificate programs that focus on a particular specialization and aim to make students ready for the labor market. The main difference between them is that a certificate program lasts for a year while a diploma may take 2 to 3 years to complete. 6-month certificate courses are also available at some Canadian colleges.

  • When it comes to curriculum, short courses in Canada are job-oriented that include more training and practical aspects.

  • Compared to degree programs, short courses are much cheaper starting from a tuition fee of just CAD 2,000/year.

What are the popular diploma/certificate courses in Canada for international students?

Choosing courses abroad is a tough call. You may be afraid of ending up at the wrong place that may slow down the growth you are expecting. That said, the popular short courses in Canada that can narrow down your options are:

  • Engineering

  • Administrative Studies

  • Architecture Studies

  • Business Studies

  • Economic Studies


Your IDP counsellor can also give you updated information about the best options for short term course in Canada that fit your aspirations.

What are the Canadian Institutions that offer best short courses to study in Canada?

Listed below are some of the top institutions in Canada offering short term courses for international students:

  1. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

  2. British Columbia Institute of Technology

  3. Conestoga College

  4. Algonquin College

  5. University of Alberta

  6. Seneca College

What are the admission requirements for short term courses in Canada for international students?

Well, admission requirements for diploma/certificate courses vary from a province to another, but some basic directives for international students remain common across all the colleges.

Some of the admission requirements for international students seeking short term courses in Canada are given below:

  • Academic transcripts:

    Official academic transcripts of all the previous years of education should be submitted. Students willing to enroll in postgraduate diploma are required to have a bachelor's degree in any field of study.

  • Both original and translated copies of transcripts should be submitted. Certified copies of original transcripts are also accepted by some Canadian universities.

  • Birth certificate and parental consent:

    Submission of birth certificate is required by Vocational colleges. And if you’re below 18 years old, you will be also required to submit parental consent for pursuing studies in Canada.

  • Language proficiency:

    International students are required to prove English language proficiency by submitting scores of recognized tests such as the IELTS.

  • Immigration documents:

    A Canadian study permit is required for admission to many certificate and diploma courses in Canada of longer than 6 months duration. For courses of less than 6 months duration, a temporary Canadian student visa is also acceptable.


If you are applying to a Canadian institution, be sure to check their website for the latest information about their admission requirements.

Take the first step towards reaching your study abroad aspirations and career goals and enroll in an accredited program today with IDP.