Durham College: a leader in practical training and innovation

Durham College is a public college in Canada, founded in 1967. It has campuses in two Ontario cities, Oshawa and Whitby, which are part of the Greater Toronto Area.

One of Durham's key features is its focus on hands-on learning and innovation. The college actively partners with various industries and has specialized centers that give students unique opportunities to gain real professional experience while studying.

Over 13,700 students choose Durham for its market-oriented programs, scholarship opportunities, extensive career prospects, and active student community.

The college maintains an international atmosphere, with over 3,900 international students from 90 countries.

Durham is listed among the Top Employers in Greater Toronto and Canada's Greenest Employers for 2024. In 2023, the college ranked among the top 50 Research Colleges in Canada.

College Location and Campuses

Durham College has two campuses, both in the Durham Region. This area is a great place to live and relax, combining urban and rural areas with many nature parks and walking trails. It also has a thriving arts and culture scene, diverse restaurants, and plenty of sports opportunities.

The main campus is in Oshawa, featuring numerous learning labs, simulators, and a Recreation and Wellness Center. The second campus is in Whitby, focusing on trades, culinary, and horticulture programs. It has modern workshops, culinary classrooms, learning centers, and the award-winning Bistro'67 restaurant.

The college's location is a big advantage. From Oshawa and Whitby, students can easily reach Toronto, Ontario's capital, as well as Niagara Falls, one of Canada's main attractions.

This allows students to live in smaller towns with a lower cost of living and have access to big city opportunities.

College Programs

Durham College continually updates and expands its programs, listening to student demands and market needs. Currently, the college offers 145 educational programs across a wide range of fields:

• Business
• Culinary
• Emergency services
• Engineering technology
• General arts
• Health
• Horticulture
• Hospitality
• Information technology
• Justice
• Media, art and design
• Science
• Skilled trades
• Tourism

All college programs are practice-oriented. Durham believes that the best way to succeed is through hands-on experience. Students work in modern learning centers, and all programs include practical elements like internships, applied research, co-op programs, simulations, and integrative exercises.

The college offers various levels of education: certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, bachelor's degrees, and graduate certificates.

With such diverse options, every applicant can find the most suitable path to shape their unique professional journey.

Practical Learning at Durham

As mentioned, hands-on learning is a key feature of Durham College. The college believes that success in any field comes from practical immersion. This allows students to develop skills, build professional networks, and gain real experience, setting them apart in the competitive job market.

Durham implements practical and experiential learning in various ways:

• Co-operative education (co-op): This method combines academic learning with work in the student's field of interest. Work terms are built into programs and offer paid internship opportunities.
• Applied research: Durham's Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSIE) collaborates with industry and community organizations to develop and test new technologies and products.
• Field placements: These unpaid opportunities allow students to gain practical work experience and apply learned theories.
• Capstone projects: Many programs include a final project requiring students to apply all their knowledge to solve a real-world problem.
• Practicum: This involves supervised on-site work experience where students can apply and demonstrate skills learned in class.
• Volunteer work: Some programs require students to engage in volunteer work, helping them network, apply skills, and gain practical experience in their chosen field.

Where Do Durham Students Practice?

Students don't need to leave the college to find themselves in spaces fully modeled for practice and simulating real-life work conditions, or to collaborate on real work projects.

Here are a few unique spaces and projects where students are engaged in real work environments.

• Bistro 67. This restaurant is run by students from the hospitality and horticulture programs. Bistro '67 operates as a certified green restaurant and is considered one of the most scenic in Canada. Students prepare dishes using fresh ingredients grown in Durham College gardens and sourced from local suppliers. Bistro '67 is open to the public, and locals can book a table for a gourmet lunch or dinner.
• Collaboragency is an agency where students from the Media, Art and Design faculty gain hands-on experience working with real clients. They develop social media strategies, create creative advertising, and promote brands, helping local businesses with affordable marketing.
• Dental Clinic. Students in dental hygiene and dental assisting programs get practical experience at the on-campus dental clinic in Oshawa, providing services to clients under the guidance of experienced professionals. The clinic is open to people of all ages.
• Justice Hub offers law program students the opportunity to gain practical experience and provide legal assistance under the supervision of licensed lawyers.
• DC Spa. Students in massage therapy and spa management programs gain hands-on experience at the professional spa on the Oshawa campus. Clients receive services at reduced rates, which depend on the students' level of training.
• AI Hub is an innovation center where students and faculty work with business representatives on artificial intelligence projects. The center provides students with unique opportunities to participate in real-world projects and prepare for careers in AI.

Financial Expenses at Durham College

Durham College believes that students shouldn't be constantly worried about finances while studying in Canada. That's why the college helps students plan their expenses in advance and offers financial assistance to its students.

The cost of studying at Durham College depends on the program and level of education. On average, tuition for international students can range from CAD $13,000 to CAD $18,000 per academic year (two semesters).

Durham College provides an approximate amount of expenses that a student should expect for living in Oshawa or Whitby for 12 months:

Additional costs should also be considered, such as mobile phone expenses, extracurricular activities, winter clothing, tickets for trips home, and housing deposits (for off-campus accommodation). The college notes that these are approximate amounts that may vary depending on students' needs and financial habits.

Scholarships for International Students

International students can apply for scholarships from Durham College to ease their financial burden for tuition.

• English Proficiency Entrance Scholarship. This scholarship, ranging from CAD $1,000 to $1,500, is awarded to students for good English language proficiency. To receive the English Language Proficiency Entrance Scholarship, students must apply and pay fees by the specified deadline, arrive in Canada, and remain enrolled in the college after the 10th day of the semester. The scholarship amount will depend on the language level, which can be confirmed by taking tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo, attaching the test results to the application.
• Academic Excellence Scholarship may be awarded to students who have shown high academic performance in their program. The scholarship can be up to CAD $1,000, and awarded students are invited to a special award ceremony.
• Bachelor's Degree Entrance Scholarships. Various scholarships may be available to international students applying for bachelor's degree programs. However, these scholarships and their requirements can vary significantly and change, so information about them should be obtained separately when applying.

Additionally, international students are allowed to work while studying. The college supports student employment on campus through the special IWorks program, helping them find jobs and comfortably balance work with their class schedule. If a student wishes to find work off-campus, specialists from the college's Career Services can assist them.

Student Life

Durham College pays great attention not only to students' academic success but also to their leisure, hobbies, and social interaction.

At the college, students can find many clubs and events organized with the help of the student association. The college staff provides support to international students and strives to arrange numerous international projects that promote cultural diversity.

The college also has many facilities for various sports: 2 ice rinks, 2 fitness centers, 2 soccer fields, and a 200-meter running track. Students can engage in sports and also cheer for college teams in volleyball, baseball, rugby, or basketball.

Durham College takes special pride in its 3,000-square-foot esports arena. It's designed for both recreational and competitive esports events and provides practical learning opportunities for some of Durham College's academic programs.

Admission Requirements

Depending on the specific field and program, admission requirements at Durham College may vary, but international students always have an additional requirement: proof of English language proficiency at the appropriate level.

The college accepts language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL, and DET as proof of language proficiency. The scores required for studying at Durham will also depend on the program the applicant is applying for.

In addition to language exams, Durham College also accepts results from specialized preparatory courses offered by partner educational organizations, such as the Canadian English language school ILAC. By enrolling in the University Pathway program, applicants can prepare for academic English and receive a certificate upon completion, which the college will accept as proof of language proficiency.

Admission Assistance

As partners of Durham College, we're ready to guide you through the application process for this excellent institution. We offer support services for enrollment in Canadian universities and colleges, help select educational programs that match your interests and abilities, and assist in obtaining scholarships. We also provide services for processing student visas to Canada.

Book a consultation about studying in Canada to discuss all the details of your academic journey. Remember, investing in quality education today means investing in your stable future.