Psychology Schools and Programs in Canada

Psychology Studies in Canada

Toronto Waterfront, Canada

Psychology in Canada is studied first as a bachelor's degree, usually four years long and awarded as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc). The bachelor's degree does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist: the title is regulated by province, and registration requires a graduate degree, a master's or a doctorate depending on the province. Students who aim for clinical work should plan the whole route from the start.

SpainExchange lists 19 schools in Canada with psychology programmes, in Toronto, Victoria, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax and other cities. They include the University of Toronto, York University, McGill University, the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Calgary, the University of Manitoba, Carleton University, Acadia University, Saint Mary's University and Athabasca University, as well as smaller universities such as Mount Allison University, The King's University and Concordia University of Edmonton.

How the degree is organised

Most universities offer psychology in two versions. The BA combines psychology with courses in the arts and social sciences; the BSc adds more science courses. Within each, students usually choose between a Major and an Honours option, which includes a research thesis and is the common preparation for graduate school. Examples from the universities' own pages:

• UBC lists a programme length of 4 years for its BA in Psychology in Vancouver, with an Honours option and optional co-op work terms; the programme covers behavioural neuroscience, cognition, clinical, health, developmental, social and personality psychology, and quantitative methods
• Mount Allison University offers a BA and a BSc, each as a major or with honours; the major has 42 credits of psychology courses
• The King's University offers a four-year BA, a three-year BA and a four-year BSc
• The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) offers a BA and a BSc with the same psychology requirements, an Honours programme that asks for an overall average of 75% and a psychology average of 80%, and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
• The University of Lethbridge offers, among other options, a five-year combined degree in Addictions Counselling and Psychology

Graduate study

According to the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), a master's degree usually takes two to three years and a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) an additional four to six years; in total, a PhD takes approximately five to eight years after the bachelor's degree. Students who want to provide psychological services also complete at least one additional year of supervised internship.

The CPA describes the usual requirements for admission to graduate programmes: an undergraduate degree in psychology, a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4-point scale and strong letters of reference. Many programmes also ask for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Admission and language

Each university sets its own entry requirements for the bachelor's degree. International applicants must prove their language level: EduCanada, the Government of Canada's study portal, states that proof of English or French language skills is required to study at a Canadian university. UBC, for example, teaches in English and asks all prospective students to demonstrate English-language competency before admission.

Professional registration and recognition

To practise psychology in Canada, psychologists must be licensed, and the licence is granted by the regulatory body of each province or territory. The CPA explains that some jurisdictions require a doctorate for registration and others a master's degree; in Alberta and Saskatchewan, for example, registration is possible with a master's degree. The normal requirements are the graduate degree, supervised experience, and written and oral exams on practice and ethics.

People who trained in psychology outside Canada should contact the regulatory body of the province where they want to work to find out whether their qualifications are sufficient for registration.

Study permit and costs

Most foreign nationals need a study permit, which requires enrolment at a designated learning institution (DLI) and proof of funds. The application fee is CAN$150 (Government of Canada, checked October 2026).

According to EduCanada (Statistics Canada figures, 2026), average university tuition for international undergraduate students in Canada is around CAN$41,746 per year, across all subjects. EduCanada advises budgeting a minimum of CAN$23,000 per year for living costs.

Careers

With a bachelor's degree, graduates work in areas where knowledge of behaviour and research methods is useful. The University of the Fraser Valley names mental health, social services, education, business and government. Registered psychologists work in health services, schools, private practice and research; this route requires the graduate degree and the provincial licence described above.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a psychologist in Canada?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years. According to the Canadian Psychological Association, a PhD takes approximately five to eight more years, including the master's degree.

Can I work as a psychologist with a bachelor's degree?

No. Registration as a psychologist requires a master's degree or a doctorate, depending on the province, plus supervised experience and exams.

What is the difference between a BA and a BSc in psychology?

The psychology courses are largely the same. The BA adds courses in the arts and social sciences, and the BSc adds science courses, as Mount Allison University and UPEI describe.

Is a foreign psychology degree recognised in Canada?

There is no single national procedure. The regulatory body of each province or territory decides whether a qualification from another country meets its registration requirements.