Comparison between Canadian and Indian Education system

Some Useful Terms and Definitions

Co-operative (Co-op) Program: Education program, that combines theoretical learning with practical experience generally via alternating periods of classroom study and paid work placements.

Internship: Paid work placement after the education program to get relevant industry experience.

Credits: A measure granted for each course completed. Moist Academic programs require students to complete certain number of credits for graduation.

Grade Point Average (GPA): The average grad achieved by a student during the course of an education program, calculated on various scales determined by individual institutions.

Major: The primary academic focus pursued within a degree program, often combined with general education requirements.

Minor: A secondary academic focus pursed by the student as a supplement or accent to a major program.

Types Of Institutions In Canada

• Universities
• University Colleges
• Community College / Technical Institutes
• Career Colleges
• Secondary Schools

Universities

Canadian universities are internationally known for their high quality of teaching and research. Degrees from Canadian universities are considered to be equivalent to those from American and other Commonwealth universities. Universities offer academic and professional degree programs. The university generally have one intake in the year – September and have fixed deadlines. Some universities may have more than one intake and the alternate intake time would be January. A university program is 4 years in duration at undergraduate level and 2 years at the master’s level.

University Colleges

University colleges are a very strong combination of college traditions with a modern outlook. These institutions offer university degrees, as well as more Practical oriented college diplomas and certificate programs. They may also offer combined degree / diploma program and university transfer programs. University colleges are distinguished on the basis of their strong student support services, small classes and a friendly campus ambience.

Community College / Technical Institutes

Community colleges are not affiliated to universities in Canada unlike in India. These colleges offer diplomas; certificates and many now are able to offer degrees at the undergraduate level as well. Their strength lies in the ability to offer technical and vocational programs. Some community colleges offer university transfer programs that allow students to take courses that are parallel to those offered for the first two years of a four-year university program. Community Colleges have up to three intakes a year; September, January and May. The programs are 1,2 and 3 years in duration and college have flexible deadlines.

Career Colleges

A Career College is a privately owned institution with the prime objective of helping students in acquiring a job in their field of study in a short span of study .The emphasis is more on developing practical skills. Students specialize in different areas of Computers, business and secretarial practice. Although privately owned, these institutions are provincially approved, recognised and regulated.

Secondary School

Canadian children attend kindergarten for one of two years at the age of four or five on a voluntary basis. All children begin Grade One and about six years of age. The school year normally runs from September through to the following June, but in some instances, January intake dates are possible. Secondary schools go up to Grades 11, 12 or 13 depending on the province. From here, students may attend university, college, or Cegep studies. Cegep is a French acronym for College of General and Vocational Education, and is two years of general or three years of technical education between high school and university. There are two kinds of schools in Canada; Government-funded public schools and private, independent schools. Public funded schools are managed at the local level by elected school boards. All private schools must be registered with the Ministry of Education in their province or territory and must meet the curricular and other standards set by their respective ministries.