Other types of degrees and specifics in Canada
The dual training system, i.e. the change between practical phases in a company and theoretical phases at a vocational school, represents classic vocational training in Germany and belongs to upper secondary level. This form of training is largely unknown in Canada, even if it is based on so-called apprenticeship – Programs, especially in commercial areas, are becoming increasingly important. Vocational training traditionally takes place at the
- Colleges
- Community colleges
- Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology
- CÉGEPs
- Technical Institutes
instead of. In college education, the first level of post-secondary education in the Canadian study system, certificates and diplomas (in the province of Québec this is called Attestation of College Studies: AEC) play an important role.
Certificates and diplomas
The vocational preparation programs conclude with a certificate or a diploma. There are a large number of different certificates and diplomas and a distinction is often made between different degrees of qualification and levels, for example the Certificate of Apprenticeship or the Certificate of Qualification. The certificate is below the level of a diploma. Certificate programs usually last one year, while diploma programs last one to two years longer.
Certificates and diplomas are not to be equated with training in Germany and are therefore not recognized. However, the programs are suitable as further training and as an opportunity to acquire additional qualifications.
Advanced Diploma / Associate Degree
In addition to the simple College Certificate / College Diploma, in some provinces there is also the so-called Advanced Diploma or University Diploma: The course here takes three years and has a larger theoretical component than the regular diploma programs. Following the Advanced Diploma, students can acquire a Bachelor’s degree after a further year of study.
The situation is similar with the associate degree, which, based on the USA, is awarded by community colleges and university colleges in British Columbia. The duration of study here is two years. With appropriate cooperation between the colleges and the universities, it is possible to continue your studies via a transfer program at a university and to have the credits acquired in the associate degree counted towards you.
(Post) Graduate Diploma / Certificate: Continuing education at an academic level
These are continuing education programs for the acquisition of additional qualifications on an academic level. The programs usually last three semesters and require a bachelor’s degree that has already been completed. This means that these degrees belong to the postgraduate area and therefore represent a postgraduate course. They are particularly suitable for those who want to continue their education in a certain area but do not want to complete a full master’s degree. They are also suitable as a “substitute” for a Bachelor with Honors and to make up for missing qualifications for admission to a Master’s program.
With regard to Certificate / Diploma degrees, German students must note that they are not recognized as academic degrees in Germany, as there is no equivalent. However, the programs can be used for further training and to acquire additional qualifications.
Shorter study trips to Canada
A full degree in Canada, a major country in North America listed on themakeupexplorer, be it to obtain a globally recognized bachelor’s or master’s degree or for a doctorate, is attractive for many students. But it doesn’t have to be a whole degree. Canadian universities have various programs on offer for international students that enable them to get a taste of Canadian campus life:
- Semester abroad Canada: At many Canadian universities, international students can take part in so-called Study Abroad programs. These are usually designed to be flexible and students have a wide range of courses at their disposal.
- Summer Sessions Canada: This is a “condensed semester abroad” in Canada outside of the academic year. The summer sessions take place in three to six-week units during the summer months.
- Language courses Canada: The universities offer different forms: In addition to the general language courses, there are academically oriented courses as well as courses that specifically prepare for the TOEFL or the IELTS.
Differences between the German and Canadian study systems
While the German study system relates exclusively to academic training at universities and technical colleges, the Canadian study system goes much further. The distinction between vocational (professional) and academic (academic) education is here within the study system instead and manifests itself mainly in the names of their respective study programs and their financial statements. This can be quite confusing for Germans, especially since there are no equivalent for certificates and diplomas in Germany. When choosing the right university and choosing the subject you should therefore always pay attention to the respective types of qualification and ensure that there are no problems with later recognition in Germany.
Differences between the two study systems can also be identified in the content structure of the classic academic study programs – Bachelor, Master and PhD.
- Bachelor: While the German Bachelor is specialized right from the start, the Canadian Bachelor is initially general in terms of course content (liberal arts). And the Bachelor with Honors does not exist in Germany either. Problems can arise when German bachelor graduates apply for a master’s degree in Canada: Canadian universities usually set a four-year bachelor’s degree for a master’s program or a Bachelor with Honors, the standard period of study for a German Bachelor is only three years. German Bachelor graduates may have to acquire a Postgraduate Certificate / Diploma before they can start the Canadian Master’s program.
- Masters: Canadian Masters programs can be either research-oriented (Master by Research) or more professional-oriented (Master by Coursework / Applied Master). This distinction does not exist in Germany.
- Doctorate: The structure of the doctoral programs also differs in some points from the doctorate, which is typical in Germany: Canadian programs are generally more structured and the doctoral students go through a course and a dissertation phase, during which an intermediate examination takes place. There is also no tie to a single professor, the classic doctoral candidate / supervisor relationship in Canada.
