Online Degree, Online Courses and Distance Learning in Canada

Online and distance learning lets students earn a Canadian qualification without moving to Canada, or while spending only part of their studies there. According to EduCanada, the Government of Canada's study portal, many Canadian universities and colleges accept international students into their online and distance programmes, and some programmes can be completed partly or entirely at a distance.

As with the rest of higher education, distance learning is organised province by province. Some institutions teach only at a distance, others offer online courses alongside their campus programmes, and several provinces have shared platforms that list online courses from many institutions. SpainExchange currently lists one Canadian school in this category: Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario.

Who offers distance learning in Canada

• Distance universities: Athabasca University in Alberta calls itself Canada's Open University and offers online undergraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates, as well as master's and doctoral degrees, graduate diplomas and more than 850 courses. In Quebec, the Université TÉLUQ teaches entirely at a distance in French and lists 140 programmes.
• Colleges and polytechnics: many colleges run online versions of their diplomas and certificates. Conestoga College, a polytechnic with campuses and locations in eight communities in Ontario, offers full-time and part-time online study options through its School of Business, as well as programmes such as Medical Office Practices.
• Provincial platforms: eCampusOntario, a not-for-profit organisation, works with 58 universities, colleges and Indigenous institutes and runs a portal for Ontario's online learning opportunities.

Qualifications

An online programme normally leads to the same credential as the campus version: a certificate or diploma from a college, or a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a university. Courses may be self-paced or follow a fixed term with live sessions, depending on the institution. If you have already completed part of a programme in your home country, you may be able to transfer credits to an online programme at a Canadian institution.

Admission and language

You apply directly to the college or university as an online or distance student. EduCanada notes that you need good English or French skills for a Canadian online programme; the exact language level and any academic or entrance requirements depend on the institution and the programme, so check its admissions page or contact its international office.

Study permit and work permit

Studying online from your home country does not involve living in Canada. If you come to Canada for part of a programme, the usual rules apply: according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you do not need a study permit for a programme of six months or less, but longer stays require one.

Distance learning also affects the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Graduates who completed more than half of their programme through distance learning are not eligible. For students whose lock-in date is on or after 1 September 2024, at least 50% of the programme must be completed in class in Canada, and time spent studying outside Canada is deducted from the length of the PGWP.

Costs

EduCanada explains that fees for online learning depend on whether the programme is a college diploma, a bachelor's degree or a graduate programme, and vary between institutions. Each institution publishes its own fees, and its fee estimator is the most reliable guide.

How to choose

• Credential: certificate, diploma or degree, and whether it is the same as the on-campus award
• Language of instruction: English or French
• Format: self-paced or scheduled, with or without live classes or exams in person
• Credit transfer from previous studies
• Plans to work in Canada later: the PGWP rules on distance learning

Frequently asked questions

Can I study a Canadian degree online from abroad?

Yes. Many Canadian universities and colleges accept international students into online and distance programmes, and some programmes can be completed entirely at a distance. Check each programme, as not all are available online.

Does an online programme qualify me for a post-graduation work permit?

Usually not if most of it was done online. Graduates who completed more than 50% of their programme through distance learning are not eligible for a PGWP.

Can I study online in French?

Yes. The Université TÉLUQ in Quebec teaches entirely at a distance in French, and other francophone institutions also offer online courses.