What is the difference between Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Canada?

To make things simple for you, there is frankly NO difference. While some College in Canada call it Graduate Diploma, most Colleges in Canada call is Graduate Certificate

Indian students can study graduate certificate or graduate diploma in Canada after their Bachelors in India. These courses in Canada are equivalent to the Post Graduate Diploma in India. Thus, many students refer to these programs as Post Graduate Diploma in Canada.

Most Graduate Certificate programs can be completed in eight months (two semesters) to 1 year. Few Graduate Certificate programs are for 2 years as well.

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma programs in Canada are intensive, highly focused programs designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to enter a particular job market. These programs cover a broad range of employment areas. Eg. Graduate certificate course in Marketing can be of one year duration and will provide you the necessary skills to make a career in to Marketing

These post graduate diploma in Canada can lead you to become eligible to study a Masters in Canada. Many students in India study a 3 years Bachelors which is not enough to study a Masters in Canada. So many Indian students opt to study a PG Diploma in Canada (in stead of studying MCom Part 1 or any such Masters) and then continue on to their Masters. If you plan to study in Canada, please contact us. We help you throughout the application process.

Quick notes on Graduate Certificate Programs:

Offered By: Graduate certificate courses are offered by several colleges across Canada and also few Universities. Colleges like Seneca College, Fanshawe College, Georgian College, Conestoga College, Centennial College, George Brown College, Humber College, Northern Lights College, Lambton College, Mohawk College, Sheridan College, and more offer several exciting 1 year Graduate Certificate Courses.

Duration: Duration of most of the Graduate Certificate Courses are from 8 months to 1 year. Very few program are for 2 years.

Who should study Graduate Certificate Programs: Graduate certificates require a university degree or a college diploma for admission, building on knowledge and experience gained through previous post secondary study. Intended for students who have 15 yrs of education working professionals, these programs offer practical, hands-on training for real world. Graduate Certificate programs also may prepare students for advanced degree programs and universities accept graduate certificate program courses for entry into their Masters course, you may have to undertake few pre-requisites courses in few Universities. Several Graduate certificate courses have co-op (internship for 3-4 months) element which is beneficial to get hands on experience in the line of your studies.

Cost: You may spend about CAD$ 15000 to CAD$ 17000 equivalent to 7.5 to 8.5 lacs for the entire course.

GMAT / GRE: GMAT or GRE is not required to study Graduate Certificate Programs.

IELTS / TOEFL: IELTS is compulsory for international students to study Graduate Certificate courses in Canada.

Work During your Study in Canada:

On- Campus Employment:

Students may work up to 20 hours per week for the college/ University they are attending. Typical on-campus jobs might include working in a cafeteria or working in the Athletic Centre. These jobs are, however, scarce and usually assigned on a first come, first served basis. There are jobs available for only a few students each semester and you shouldn’t count on getting an on-campus job during your first semester. Usually, all the jobs are filled by students who apply during the previous semester. No work permit is required to work on campus.

Off Campus Employment:

You may qualify to work off campus without a work permit. If you qualify, your study permit will allow you to work for a total of 20 hours per week and during vacations a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Spouse Work permit:

Your spouse may apply for an open work permit (which means they need not have a job offer or a labour market opinion from service Canada) if you are a full time student and have a valid study permit. Work permits of Spouse are valid for the same period of time as your study permit.

Internship (Co-op) Work:

Co-op programs include scheduled periods of employment in related industries within the academic year. These placements are typically paid positions and may be a requirement for graduation. Few Graduate certificate courses offered at several colleges in Canada offer the co-op option i.e. internships for a period of 3 to 4 months. This gives an extra edge of working in the real world and applying the knowledge that has been gained while studying. Most of the time students interning in a company are easily absorbed by it upon the completion of their internship. You must apply for a co-operative education work permit for the same after you have got a study permit while you are studying at the college. Help for the same is given by the International student centres/advisors at the college / University where you are studying.

Work After your Study in Canada:

To work in Canada you must apply for Post Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). A student is allowed to stay back in the country for the length of your program upto a maximum of 3 years to look for a job and work full-time Over 90% of Canada’s college graduates are employed in their field of study within six months after graduation and 93% of employers are satisfied with graduates. In case of Graduate Certificate course the stay back option would be 8 months to 1yr depending on the length of the program. In case of Graduate Diploma courses which are for a period of 2 years you would have stay back option of 3 years.

Permanent Residency:

Some international students with Canadian credentials and Canadian work experience may apply for permanent residency without having to leave Canada? Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the Post Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) helps graduates qualify for a permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry.

List of Popular Post Graduate Diploma courses in Canada: