Receiving a Graduate Certificate in Canada

By Samnang Hong, IDP Counsellor, Canada Destination Lead

In this article, I’ll tell you about a little-known study option that gives international students interested in studying in Canada better value for their money and time: a one-year skilled certificate in Canada. Obtaining a college certificate rather than a university degree is very common for international students who, this way, save a lot of time and money while still achieving their goals.

Students from all over the world study in Canada for a high quality education and to enhance their job prospects. High school graduates usually undertake four-year degrees, with bachelor’s degree awardees often going on to complete two-year master’s degrees.

More students are now applying to study at a college instead of a university. One-year graduate certificate programs include a wide variety of practical courses for business, marketing, accounting, IT, project management, hospitality and events management students. The practical nature of these programs means that you are work-ready as soon as you graduate. In general, students need a recognised bachelor’s degree and an IELTS score of 6.5 to apply, although work experience is not typically required.

The tuition fees are considerably lower that those of a master’s program. The overall average cost for most one-year programs is 15,000 Canadian dollars. So, students save on living costs as well. Another benefit of these programs is that graduates are entitled to work in Canada for up to one year. A year of work experience in Canada would be extremely helpful to any student’s career. Some students might even want to settle down and live in Canada.

I see one-year graduate certificate programs as a perfect fit for Cambodian students who are seeking opportunities to study abroad and, at the same time, gain a solid return on their investment.

For more information about your study abroad options, visit an IDP Study Abroad office at any ACE campus to talk to an experienced IDP Study Abroad counsellor.