Cambrian College: prestigious education and cozy student life in a small town

Studying at a Canadian college is an excellent choice for international students. Canadian education is considered one of the best in the world, and studying in the country opens up paths for further employment and immigration.

Among our partner institutions, there's a college that, in addition to modern and quality education, offers international students life in a small, affordable city and a reliable path to permanent residency. Let's introduce you to Cambrian College.

Cambrian College

Cambrian College is a public college of applied arts and technology located in Sudbury, northern Ontario. Its location is a significant advantage, which we'll discuss separately.

Cambrian College is the largest college in northern Ontario. Over the years, it has educated more than 60,000 students. The college is constantly developing and annually accepts thousands of international students from dozens of countries. For over 10 years, it has been in the top 50 research colleges in Canada. In 2020, Cambrian College ranked 18th in this prestigious list.

Programs

Education at Cambrian College combines advanced teaching methods, modern classrooms, laboratories and workshops, extensive practical training, and instructors with hands-on experience in their field.

The college collaborates with other educational institutions, such as Seneca College and Lambton College. Partnerships with Cisco and Microsoft allow IT program students to gain knowledge and experience from industry leaders.

Cambrian College offers about 90 undergraduate and graduate programs.

Undergraduate programs are divided into 9 areas:

• Health Sciences, Nursing, and Emergency Services
• Skilled Trades
• Engineering Technology
• Art, Music, and Design
• Community Services
• Law
• Business and Information Technology
• Safety and Environmental Studies
• General Studies

The strongest areas are business, medicine, engineering, and IT-related fields. Skilled trades students also benefit greatly. According to statistics, welders, welder-fitters, and heavy equipment mechanics in northern Ontario earn more on average than in the rest of the country.

Graduate programs are designed for those who have already completed college or university and want to gain additional knowledge and skills in their field or a related area. Cambrian College offers graduate programs in:

• Business and Information Technology
• Community Services
• Health Sciences
• Law
• Safety and Environmental Studies

These programs usually last 2-3 semesters.

Some college programs include co-op. This means that part of the training (usually one semester) involves paid work experience, allowing students to gain professional experience and offset some of the education costs.

Here are examples of programs with work placements:

Tuition Fees

Tuition at Cambrian College for undergraduate programs averages $17,500 CAD per year. There are more expensive options — for example, the Bachelor of Business Administration program costs almost $20,500 CAD per year. Graduate programs are usually cheaper, starting from $15,000 CAD per year.

You can offset part of your education costs. Students are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week during studies and up to 40 hours per week during holidays. Plus, there's work placement if it's part of the program. The minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20 CAD per hour from October 2024, and for students under 18 working less than 28 hours per week, the rate is $16.20 CAD per hour.

That's not all. In the 2022-23 academic year, the college paid out over $1 million CAD in scholarships and grants to its students. $150,000 CAD of this was allocated for first-year student scholarships, including for high school academic achievements.

Student Life

Of the 5,500 students at Cambrian College, 2,100 are international, and their number is growing each year.

Students can live in dormitories, residences, or rent apartments. Cambrian College's dormitories and residences are comfortable. For example, students can share a unit with one bathroom and two bedrooms upstairs. On the ground floor, there's a shared kitchen for several such pairs of students. The college and dormitories are guarded 24/7.

Cambrian College has a 24-hour library and areas where students can have coffee, snack, socialize, and prepare for classes. The college also has gyms and fitness centers, and students can play soccer and volleyball or just come to student games to support their college teammates in competitions.

Advantages of Sudbury

The main campus of the college is located in Sudbury — the largest city in northern Ontario. It's a relatively small city with a population of about 165,000. It gives the impression of a very cozy town with lots of greenery and scenic views, yet doesn't feel like a "village".

In Sudbury, you can feel like a city dweller without suffering from constant traffic jams, overcrowding, endless urban noise, competition for every job, and sky-high prices. Comparing rental costs in Sudbury and Toronto, Sudbury is almost half as expensive.

Immigration Prospects

A separate advantage of Sudbury is the prospects for work and immigration.

Upon graduation from Cambrian College, students receive a post-graduation work permit valid for one to three years, depending on their program of study. Job prospects for Cambrian College graduates are promising: 85% find employment within six months of graduation, and 76% secure jobs without leaving Northern Ontario.

Sudbury offers students a pathway to Canadian immigration. Although the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot ended on August 31, 2024, the Canadian government launched new programs — the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot in January 2025. Sudbury participates in the new program, which continues to offer simplified permanent residency requirements. In 2024, Sudbury approved 524 permanent residency applications through the old program, a 102% increase from the previous year.

College graduates can also earn more points in Ontario's immigration program if they choose to work in Sudbury after graduation. For example, finding a job in Toronto after college would result in losing these additional points.

However, if you've graduated from Cambrian College and feel Sudbury is too small or can't find work in your field, all of Ontario — Canada's most populous and second-largest province — is open to you. Specialists with higher education in almost any field can find opportunities here.

Admission Requirements

For post-secondary programs, applicants must provide a high school diploma and proof of English proficiency (IELTS Academic with an average score of 6.0).

For postgraduate programs, applicants need a higher education degree in a related field and English proficiency (IELTS Academic with an average score of 6.5).

Some creative programs require a portfolio. Cambrian College does not conduct entrance exams.

Admission Without Language Test

If you're wondering whether you can enroll in Cambrian College without taking IELTS, the answer is yes.

The Canadian language school ILAC teaches English to thousands of people worldwide online and in Canada. One of ILAC's programs is University Pathway, which allows students to enroll in dozens of Canadian institutions, including Cambrian College, without taking a language test.

Here's how it works: You can apply to the college and receive a conditional acceptance letter, which allows you to apply for a student visa. While your visa application is being processed, you can enroll in ILAC's online Pathway program. Upon completion, you'll receive a certificate that serves as proof of your English proficiency.

As ILAC partners, we offer a 30% discount when you enroll through us.

Assistance with Enrolling in Cambrian College and Other Canadian Institutions

As Cambrian College agents, we can help you enroll in this institution. With our assistance, you'll save time, effort, and money. We'll help you choose a suitable program, assist with document collection, and handle communication with the institution.

If you want to enroll in this college or another Canadian institution, contact us. Enrolling in a Canadian higher education institution is a lengthy and complex process, and having reliable helpers can make a big difference. We're ready to be that support for you.

Book a consultation with a visa consultant and start your journey to Canada!