Attending kindergarten is not mandatory. At the age of 6, children enter school. As in most countries of the world, the education system in Canada consists of primary, secondary, and higher schools. The academic year usually begins in September and ends in June. But some educational institutions also admit children in January. Depending on the province, children study in secondary school for 11 or 12 years. After graduation, they can enter a university, college, or CEGEP (the CEGEP college system operates in the province of Quebec).
Canada has no official rating of educational institutions, but you will find excellent schools across the country. When choosing, you should take into account its type, size, and location. If you are interested in a specific field of knowledge, find out which educational institutions can offer you the best program in that discipline.
Universities of Canada
Canada offers a huge selection of universities and university colleges located in both urban and rural areas in all regions of the country. Canadian universities are known worldwide for the quality of teaching and research. Their diplomas are equivalent to those of the USA and other countries. Since most Canadian universities are publicly funded, they provide consistently high quality education regardless of their location and field of study. In addition, they all have a high degree of academic autonomy.
The number of full-time students at any given university ranges from 35,000 to less than 1,000 students. In addition, there are many students in evening or correspondence courses and those taking continuing education programs. Universities offer a wide range of courses providing any academic degree - from bachelor's to doctorate, as well as certificates and diplomas of professional education.
Tuition may vary depending on the province, institution, and program. Usually the academic year runs from September to May. Some universities follow a semester or trimester system, offering the opportunity to study in all programs even during the summer.
There is no single entrance examination for applicants in Canada: each university sets its own admission requirements and evaluates each candidate's knowledge individually. Since Canada has two official languages (English and French), a foreign student can choose an institution where classes are taught in either one or the other language. Some universities offer study in Canada in both English and French. However, admission does not require fluency in both languages. For degree programs, at most English-language universities, students for whom English is not their native language must take an English language test. TOEFL is usually acceptable, but Canadian universities often use their own tests, or the results of other tests such as IELTS are accepted. Information on English language tests can be obtained from your local Canadian Education Centre (CEC). CEC staff can also advise on exemptions from English language exams. In addition, CEC centres have extensive information about Canadian universities and can help students in their search and application to study in Canada.
If you are interested in French-language institutions, note that there is no standard French test for foreigners that would be conducted before starting a degree program. Nevertheless, the level of language proficiency in French-language universities is determined on an individual basis, possibly using their own tests.
Sometimes it is possible to study bachelor's degree programs for one or two semesters with continuation of education in your home country. Also interesting is the option of transferring to one of the Canadian universities to complete your studies. In any case, you should consult with the administration of the institution where you plan to study, as well as the university or college where you are currently studying, on the equivalence of certain courses in your program.
General requirements for admission to universities.
Bachelor's degree:
* successful completion of a curriculum equivalent to the Canadian secondary school program.
* proof of fluency in English (French). TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB may be required. French-language universities usually use their own tests. Some accept students based on successful completion of a language program at a previous educational institution.
Master's degree:
* bachelor's diploma;
* high academic performance at the previous educational institution;
* good recommendations; written statements;
* standard tests for admission to master's programs - such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).
Please note that requirements may vary among different educational institutions, and students are advised to find them out directly at the institutions they are interested in. To enter a program in medicine, law, or architecture, students must first study at a university for four years.
Colleges and technical institutes 
Colleges and technical institutes are very popular in Canada. They offer vocational training programs lasting from 1 to 3 years (often including work experience) in in-demand specialties. Some public colleges have university transfer programs that allow students to study subjects equivalent to a two-year university course.
The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) includes 175 educational institutions that provide post-secondary education and are officially called community colleges, technical institutes, university colleges, and CEGEP colleges. The main function of all these institutions is to train specialists for the business, industrial, and government sectors. They provide necessary professional skills to high school and university graduates, as well as meet the educational needs of the adult population.
Previously these institutions awarded diplomas, but due to changing and evolving public needs, 18 of them now confer academic and applied degrees. Two- and three-year (or shorter) college programs typically offer both specialized professional courses and general academic preparation. A significant number of university graduates attend college after obtaining a degree to acquire professional skills needed for work. College curricula are more practically oriented than university ones, with smaller student groups, opportunities for study outside the campus, more laboratories compared to lecture halls, interactive learning, and less stringent admission requirements.
Employment-related programs, including internships and professional development courses, offer training in various specialties (from technology to the arts) and have varying admission requirements. Colleges are home to renowned Centres of Excellence that provide knowledge in many areas such as information technology, mining, environmental studies, hospitality management, and tourism. Here, curricula and practical training plans for future qualified specialists are developed.
Other full-time and part-time programs include health care, business, applied arts, social services, adult literacy, academic upgrading, and university preparation. The uniqueness of Canadian colleges lies in the combination of general and specialized knowledge they provide, which serves the interests of national economic policy. Colleges are dynamic institutions striving to meet the economic and social needs of the surrounding society.
University transfer programs.
Students wishing to obtain a university degree may study at a community or university college for two years. Most credits earned during this period may be applied toward the first or second year of university study.
There are usually established links between community and university colleges. However, it is important to find out in advance which universities will accept the credits. You must ensure that your course of study corresponds to the degree for which you plan to continue your education at a university.
Quebec CEGEPs.
In the province of Quebec, international students may attend a different type of college, the so-called CEGEP. The abbreviation stands for the French name 'College of General and Vocational Education'. CEGEP offers high school graduates two-year general education programs for university transfer or three-year technical programs for subsequent employment.
General admission requirements for colleges:
* official academic transcript (or certificate supplement), translated into English or French. Some institutions may require notarized copies of the official academic transcript (certificate supplement);
* completion of an educational institution equivalent to Canadian secondary school;
* for post-diploma programs, students are usually required to have successfully completed a program leading to a university degree or a college diploma;
* some institutions require students to complete mandatory prerequisite courses to confirm they have the necessary knowledge.
* proof of proficiency in English or French (depending on the language of instruction) – about 550 on the TOEFL, or approximately 6.0 on the IELTS. Some institutions may offer their own tests, or accept students based on successful completion of a language course.
Students must generally be at least 18 years old. Some institutions may also accept mature students.
Professional colleges
Canadian professional colleges are private institutions offering short-term programs that teach students practical skills in demand on the labor market. Multimedia, film studies, information technology, the Internet, graphic design, and hospitality management are just a partial list of the short programs offered by professional colleges.
Colleges may specialize in a particular area: business, computer science, or office administration. Although these educational institutions are privately owned, their activities are closely monitored, which ensures compliance with standards for educational programs and their quality. Professional colleges use a highly competitive tuition fee system.
Admission requirements:
* official academic transcript (or diploma supplement), translated into English or French, depending on the requirements of the Canadian educational institution. Some institutions may request notarized copies of the official academic transcript (diploma supplement);
* completion of an educational institution equivalent to a Canadian secondary school;
* for post-diploma programs, students are usually required to successfully complete a program leading to a university degree or a college diploma;
* some institutions require completion of prerequisite courses;
* proof of proficiency in English or French. Most institutions require 500-600 on the TOEFL, or results of tests equivalent to IELTS. Some institutions may offer their own tests, or accept students based on successful completion of a language course;
* depending on the program of study, students may be required to submit a so-called 'portfolio' (samples of previous work).
Secondary Schools
There are a large number of private, independent, and public secondary schools in Canada. Students may choose either an intensive English language course or a combined academic and language program. For those who are fluent in English, there are various educational programs that lead to a Canadian secondary school diploma upon completion.
Some secondary schools also offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The IB program is recognized throughout North America and is equivalent to the first year of university study. Good grades in IB subjects are usually credited toward university studies.
Private schools. Such schools exist in every province and are an excellent option for those who wish to give their children an education abroad. All private schools are registered with the provincial or territorial education department and must follow the curriculum and other standards set by the relevant authorities.
There are schools for boys, schools for girls, and coeducational schools. Some private schools offer full boarding, others day education, and many offer both. There are schools with a religious orientation that devote particular attention to moral education and maintain high academic standards.
Public schools. Many Canadian public schools now accept international students. Virtually all public schools are coeducational and offer day education only. Some institutions offer secular or non-religious education, while others support a particular religion. However, these matters are handled differently depending on the province. Admission rules for international students and tuition rates may vary from district to district.
Secondary school admission requirements.
* age: 13 to 19 years old. Some schools accept children younger than this;
* completion of the school application form and payment of the registration fee;
* official academic transcripts for the last three years. Students with average or good grades from their home school are eligible;
* recommendations, references;
* may require taking an entrance test in mathematics and/or English (French), or an interview;
* some secondary schools require the TOEFL test or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT);
* sometimes proof of guardianship is required for students under 16.
Language Schools
As you already know, Canada has two official languages, which means international students can come here to study either English as a second language (ESL) or French as a second language (FSL). The duration of study can range from 2 weeks to 3 months or more. Students participating in a language study program for a period not exceeding three months can study in Canada with a visitor visa.
International students are offered a choice of short language programs, 'intensive' courses, business English courses, and preparatory courses for university admission. Some language schools have programs that combine classroom lessons with excursions and cultural activities. Work-study programs are for advanced students wishing to practice their knowledge in the workplace. In addition, students can receive training in teaching ESL. ESL programs are offered at virtually all universities and community colleges. Overall, most private English language schools have a flexible approach to study programs and admission dates.
FSL programs are offered in both private and public educational institutions. Most French language schools are located in the province of Quebec. Students can usually enroll in ESL and FSL programs at any time of year for any duration of study.
It should be noted that the specific requirements (age and level of language proficiency) imposed by various educational institutions may vary depending on the chosen program. For example, enrollment in a TOEFL preparation course requires an English proficiency level of "above average". Most language schools for adult students accept students at least 16 years old. For those under 18, guardianship is required. However, in the province of British Columbia (Vancouver), guardianship is arranged until the age of 19.