Public Vs. Private Universities in Canada

Education is the best way for you to meet career goals, achieve personal development, broaden your horizons, and expand your social and professional networks. But if you don’t know how to pick a suitable college or university, studying might become much harder than it should.

If you want to study in Canada, you’re in for a treat! Universities in Canada for international students are considered to be some of the best in the world. In this blog post, we will explore the factors you should consider when picking a place to study in Canada.

We’ll start by observing the differences between DLI institutions and private institutions available in Canada.

Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) Vs. Private Institutions

DLI institutions in Canada are authorized by the provincial or territorial governments to accept international students. Most public universities and colleges are listed as DLI’s.

If your goal is to study in Canada in a private college or university, you must ensure that the place you picked meets the provincial education requirements and that it’s recognized by the Canadian government as a DLI. This is because the Provincial governments don’t necessarily regulate private schools.

Whether you choose a public DLI or a private institution, you will need to present a valid Canada student visa or study permit to enroll.

So, what are the main differences between Public DLI’s and private institutions?

Top 7 Differences Between Public DLI’s and Private Institutions

The first thing you should know is that most universities in Canada for international students which are listed as public DLI’s, offer affordable and standard-level education. Canadian private institutions are known for being pricier but may offer educational programs you won’t find in public DLI’s.

Here are other notable differences between private and public universities in Canada:

Tuition Fees

The most notable difference between private and public universities in Canada is the tuition fees. Public universities are funded by the government while private universities are mostly funded by their students’ tuition fees. This means, of course, that private universities are much more expensive.

You might pay anywhere between CAD 20,000 to CAD 40,000 a year (or more), depending on the type of university you choose, your field of study, and your type of degree.

However, you will also find plenty of financial aid in all universities in Canada for international students.

Personal Treatment

Public universities are relatively bigger than private universities in all aspects: the campus size, student body population, and class sizes. If you choose to study in Canada in a public university, keep in mind that with bigger class sizes, personal attention is harder to get by if you will need it. However, private universities are much smaller and therefore better-equipped to meet every student’s needs, as well as provide focused teaching time. 

Career Opportunities

Both private and public universities allow international students to work up to 20 hours a week during their studies (your Canada student visa would mention this as well). However, when it comes to career opportunities post-graduation, private universities tend to have connections with multinational corporations and other big companies that offer opportunities to students.

That being said, students graduating from public universities are often selected for work at big companies as well and may join the government sector.

Variety of Degree Programs

This is where public universities take the cake. Because they accept thousands of native and international students every year, they offer a wider range of degree programs and courses. Additionally, if you realize mid-way through your studies that you are not interested in that chosen field, you will have an easier time transitioning to a different program thanks to the large variety.

In private universities, educational programs are limited and usually focused on specific fields. For example, a private university could be more focused on science & biology-related programs, so it would be difficult (or impossible) to transition to a Liberal Arts program.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Public universities offer a wider variety of extra-curricular activities due to the same reason as before – their size. If you have a passion for a multitude of activities or you would like to try out different activities, a public university or college would be an excellent choice for you.

Prestige

This is a tricky one. The “prestige” factor plays a certain role in picking out a place to study in Canada. On one hand, the education you will receive at a private institution won’t necessarily be superior to the education at a public institution. On the other hand, private institutions generally rank higher than any public university or college. This means that as a graduate of a private school, you will be more sought after in the job market.

However, what truly tip the scales in your favor are your academic achievements, ambition, and success in job interviews.

Location

If this is your first time ever getting a Canada student visa, and you are not familiar at all with any Canadian institutions, it’s important that you take location into consideration too. There are many places to study in Canada, but not all of their locations will be suitable to you; when picking out a university, think about living costs in that area, outdoor activities, type of population (older, younger, religious or non-religious, dense or very small, etc.).

You should also think about the climate and general living conditions. These factors will greatly affect your time in Canada as an international student.

Get a Canada Student Visa

To recap, the best universities in Canada are what are best for you. Take your time in deciding where you want to go and arrange your budget to make it happen. When you’re ready, you can apply for a Canada student visa or contact us at Great North Visa for further assistance.

Great North Visa is an accredited immigration consultancy. We assist people from around the world in obtaining the Canadian visa they need, including student visas, work visas, permanent residency visas, and more.

If you wish to study in Canada and get the paperwork done quickly and easily, feel free to contact our team today to jump-start your process. If you would like more information about studying in Canada, you can check out our other blog post: Housing Rights for International Students in Canada.