Canada is a country with a high standard of living and beautiful nature. No other country can offer such geographical and cultural diversity, quality of education, and level of safety. The education committees of Canada's provinces set strict requirements for high academic standards in education and support the idea of lifelong learning.
Canada is a cosmopolitan country, so special educational institutions for international students have been created here. One of the most famous is the international school Columbia International College, where international students can obtain a Canadian secondary education (grades 9-12) and prepare for university admission.
Columbia International College is located in the province of Ontario. The local education system is very close to the British model: secondary education lasts 12 years, after which one must study for another seven or ten months on the Pre-University Program to enter university. During this time, the student must earn six academic credits of the province of Ontario (110 academic hours each). The set of subjects depends on the chosen specialty: for example, future engineers must take courses in English, mathematics (algebra and geometry), physics, chemistry, and one more of their own choice.
Ukrainian schoolchildren are admitted to the college with an advancement of one grade. This means that after finishing the 7th grade of a Ukrainian school, one can enter the 9th grade at Columbia International College, and with a certificate of complete secondary education, one can be immediately enrolled in the university preparation program.
The fact is that due to differences in the education systems of Ukraine and Canada, most Canadian universities do not accept the Ukrainian certificate. The admissions committee will require an international applicant to study disciplines that are not taught in Ukrainian schools—such as business, economics, marketing—and, of course, to improve their level of English. It is precisely for such students that the university preparation program was created.
Weak knowledge of English is not an obstacle—studying at the college can begin with intensive language training that smoothly transitions into the academic program.
The college was founded in 1979 and has since earned a reputation as one of the best educational institutions preparing students for higher education. Columbia International College lives up to its international status, as 1,500 schoolchildren from 43 countries study here. Every year, 100% of graduates enter leading universities in Canada and the United States, including McGill University, McMaster University, University of Toronto, University of Columbia (New York), Queen’s University, and others. Eight universities—Acadia University, Brock University, University of Calgary, University of Canberra (Australia), McMaster University, State University of New York (USA), University of London (UK), and University of Waterloo—have partnership agreements with the college, under which graduates are guaranteed admission to the first year, and the best students can even count on a scholarship. The recognized quality of education at Columbia International College is further confirmed by the fact that many universities accept college graduates without the need to additionally take the TOEFL, confirming their level of language proficiency. The Columbia International certificate speaks for itself.
The college is located on the shore of Lake Ontario in the city of Hamilton, an hour's drive from Toronto and Niagara Falls. Hamilton is the third-largest city in the province with a population of 500,000. The main campus of Columbia International College covers an area of 700 acres and is located next to McMaster University. College students may freely use the university library and resource center.
Student life at the college is interesting and comfortable. At their disposal are two modern dormitories with rooms equipped with air conditioners and telephones, washing machines and microwave ovens, a game room, and a gym. The four-meal plan is specially designed by Marriott Food Services professionals to meet all the needs of a growing child's body. On weekends, students go on excursions.
The cost of studying on the Pre-University Program is 7,800 Canadian dollars (for 10 months). Living in the college dormitory for ten months will cost you 4,600 Canadian dollars. Compared to North America, this is a small amount, and moreover, studying at Columbia International College is an investment leading to a scholarship and free university education.