Your Guide to Canadian Colleges

Alexander D. Gregor is director of post-secondary studies in the Faculty
of Education, University of Manitoba, and co-editor of Postsecondary
Education in Canada: The Cultural Agenda.

The guide attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the public,
accredited colleges and technical institutes across Canada (meaning
those institutions established under provincial statute and holding
membership in the Association of Community Colleges of Canada). (For
some reason, however, the author chose to halt these profiles at the
borders of Quebec. The 50 public CEGEPs [Collиges d’enseignement
général et professionnel] and 10 public conservatoires and instituts
are noted only by name and address.)

In Canada, this category of institution is non-degree granting,
offering instead a range of diplomas and certificates of various
lengths, in a wide range of vocational areas (although in British
Columbia and Alberta, these offerings may also include degree transfer
and—in the case of the former—degree completion programs, in
collaboration with provincial universities). The systems are under
provincial jurisdiction, and accordingly are quite different across the
country.

Given the inherent difficulty of generalizing within such a
heterogeneous patchwork, the author, who is director of graduate
admissions and records at the University of Victoria, does an admirable
job of providing a general body of advice to the prospective college
student. The student is introduced to what it is the colleges are and
offer (including such options as co-op programs), and is helped to
consider whether they are the right avenue for his or her purposes. The
book offers assistance with the application/admission process, with
financial planning, and with study skills applicable to the new setting.
In addition, there is a useful “after college” section, providing
advice on job searching, continuing study, and university transfer.
Helpful advice is afforded as well to international students, in such
matters as immigration regulations, financial assistance, and living in
Canada.

On the basis of this general advice, the author offers a
province-by-province survey (that includes the Northwest and Yukon
Territories) of institutions and a comprehensive index of program
offerings. Under each institution is an indication of campus
location(s); contact address for admissions, financial aid, and housing;
fees; co-op education opportunities; facilities and services; and
academic programs.