Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
2016
Notes
Colleges and universities may offer certificate programs of variable length.
Continuing adult education programs, while not shown on this diagram, may be offered at various levels of instruction.
Legend
university education college education apprenticeship - vocational and technical training to the job market typical pathway alternate pathway
Pre-work Training Certificate Training Certificate for a Semi-skilled Trade
Diploma of Vocational Studies Attestation of Vocational Specialization Attestation of College Studies Diploma of College Studies Associate Degree
PTCTCST DVS AVS ACS DCS AD The right to deliver university-level programs and grant prescribed university degrees and applied bachelor’s degrees has been granted to public colleges in Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon through legislation. However, some degree programs delivered are currently offered through partnerships with educational institutions in other Canadian jurisdictions.
Select colleges and/or institutes in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan also have some degree-granting authority. In British Columbia, all bachelor’s degrees are four years in duration.
Associate degrees (ADs) are offered only in British Columbia. AD holders obtain two years of transfer credit toward a four-year bachelor’s degree.
In all jurisdictions, a secondary-school diploma is issued upon successful completion of the secondary-school curriculum.
In Nova Scotia, the elementary system consists of seven years, including Grade Primary, followed by Grades 1 to 6.
2
3
4
1
5
Canada
Alberta
British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island Quebec
Saskatchewan Yukon
NB YK NT
BC AB SK MB
ON QC NL NU
MB BC AB
NL NS NT NU ON PE QC SK YK
NB NS PE
Elementary Pre-elementary
Middle level Secondary
12 years
Apprenticeship Vocational & Technical
Training
1 to 4 years
College Diploma
1 to 3 years
Bachelor’s
3 to 4 years
Master’s
1 to 3 years
Doctorate
3 years or more
PE SK
NB
EN
4
2Elementary
Pre-elementary Secondary
12 years
Apprenticeship Vocational &
Technical Training
1 to 4 years
College Diploma
1 to 3 years
Bachelor’s
3 to 4 years
Master’s
1 to 3 years
Doctorate
3 years or more
NB
FR
4MB BC
AB NS
NL NT NU ON YK
5
1-2
1
12 years
AD
3
Elementary
Pre-elementary
11 years
300 to 1,185 hours
AVS
DCSTechnical 3 years
Bachelor’s
3 years or more
Master’s
1.5 to 2 years
Doctorate
3 years or more
QC
5 4
3 2
Secondary 1
4DCS Pre-university
2 years
ACS
1 year
600 to 1,800 hours
DVS
TCST
1 year 2 years
