University Colleges combine Canadian university and college traditions, with a strong base of applied and academic programs offered in campus environments. As the name suggests, a university college offers university degrees as well as college diploma and certificate programs. Students can expect to find a wide range of program choices at university colleges, including English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.
As a component of the Canadian university system, university colleges offer students a choice of either academically-oriented university degree programs or the more practically-oriented college diplomas and certificates. As part of the Canadian college system, university colleges are distinguished by their strong student support services, small classes and strong campus environments. They also may offer combined degree/diploma programs, university transfer programs and applied degree programs.

University Transfer Programs
Students intending to acquire a degree at a university can complete their first two years of study at a community college or university college and earn credits. Most of the credits earned in this type of program may be transferred to universities as the first and second years of a degree program. Community colleges and university colleges that offer transfer programs usually have an established relationship with nearby universities however, it is important to check with the college to determine which universities will accept the transfer credits. You must ensure that the courses you take are appropriate to the degree you plan to enter in university

Applied Degree Programs
Applied degrees combine the academic focus of a university degree with the practical, job-ready skills students learn in college. Applied degree programs are usually four years in length and focus on a solid grounding in theory and analytical skills. What makes them different from a traditional degree is a stronger emphasis on practical applications of the concepts learned in the classroom

University College Requirements
This listing provides a general outline of basic requirements for students interested in applying to a university college in Canada. Diploma and certificate program lengths vary between one to three years. Degrees and applied degrees are generally four years in length. University transfer programs involve completion of the first two years of a degree program at a university college and the completion of the final two years at a university. Completion of the first two years of a university transfer program does not mean automatic admission to a university program. Students must also meet university admission requirements.

Please note that specific requirements for institutions will vary and students are encouraged to check directly with the institution(s) they are interested in for specific admissions requirements.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Academic
· Official academic transcripts translated into English or French as requested by the Canadian institution. Some institutions may require notarized official transcripts.
· Completion of the equivalent of Canadian secondary or high school
· For post-diploma programs students are usually required to have already successfully completed a university degree or college diploma program
· Some schools may require students to take pre-requisite courses to ensure that they have the appropriate academic background

Language
· Proof of strong proficiency in English (or French if studies are in French). For example, a TOEFL score of around 550 or approximately 6.0 for IELTS
· Some institutions have other forms of English or French language assessment; they may offer their own language proficiency test or, may admit students to academic programs on the basis of having successfully completed that institution's language program

Age
· Students are usually a minimum of 18 years of age. There are some schools that may accept applications from mature students

Other
Depending on the program, students may be required to do one or all of the following:
· Submit a portfolio
· Participate in a pre-admission interview or questionnaire
· Write a placement test