Schools in Canada have become very popular for international study in recent years, largely due to the high standard of teaching that is consistent across the country and the option to study IB qualifications. The pre-university diploma programmes available in Canada are also internationally recognised. Not only does Canada offer residents a very high quality of life, but students have access to a number of permanent residency opportunities after their studies, meaning they can continue to develop their skills in Canada after leaving education. 

Schools available to international students in Canada:

Public high schools

Public high schools are managed at a local level by elected school boards and deliver a standard curriculum or programme of study.  Almost all public schools have mixed gendered classes. Canadian public schools enrolled over 45,000 international students from 138 different countries in 2019, offering diverse and inclusive education opportunities for all students. 

Public high schools in Canada are always day schools with no boarding available, however Morgan Oxford Education can assist with securing host family accommodation if necessary. These institutions are free of charge for Canadian residents and citizens to attend, however international students are subject to selected charges. 

In most parts of Canada, international students can choose to study in English language, French language or both. Some provinces offer a separate school system that includes classes in religion. This is part of the public school system and is open to all.

Private high schools

Canada is also home to a number of private high schools some of which are set up for male- or female-only teaching. These institutions can offer day schooling or boarding education, similar to the traditional boarding schools seen in the UK. Private high schools in Canada can also specialise in supporting and education international students only, although this is not always the case. 

Canadian private schools charge fees for attendance. Class sizes are often smaller than those in the public school system and specialist programming is often available, including religious studies. The overarching curriculum is the same as in public schools in the province or territory. 

Pathway colleges

Pathway colleges are a relatively recent development in the Canadian education system. International pathway providers with buildings located on university campuses provide a 1 year foundation of study, enabling students to enter directly into year 1 of a university bachelors degree program the following year.