International Admissions

To support prospective students, both locally and globally, Centennial College developed a series of world-class virtual learning experiences that launched in the summer semester. This exciting suite of programs enables students to get a virtual jump-start on their education online.

Travel plans interrupted? Start your Canadian education online! We have made the shift to offer 50 programs in a completely online format, delivering the high-quality education you expect from us, in a flexible, convenient way – the way of the future. Explore Full-time Online Programs.

Start your path to Canada! Students who are unable to travel in the coming months may start their studies online while in their home country. If they obtain a visa, students can continue their next semester at our campuses in Toronto once the borders reopen. Online programs offer flexible delivery options: study 100% online or complete your program on campus when our facilities re-open.

Key Considerations

International students do not need a study permit to start an online program at Centennial College. We still encourage accepted international students to proceed with their next steps as soon as possible: pay tuition and apply for a study permit.

If your study permit is eventually approved, time spent studying outside of Canada until April 30, 2021 in a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligible program will count towards the overall length of the PGWP. This temporary policy applies to applicants who submitted a study permit application to begin a program in the spring, summer or fall 2020, or winter 2021 semesters. International students can complete 100% of their studies online from outside Canada. Studies completed from outside Canada until December 31, 2021 will count towards a future Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Given the impact of COVID-19 on international students, temporary policy changes have been made to post-graduation work permit eligibility requirements. Please review the policy, procedures, and guidance provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Questions about study permit and work permits? Review our Permits and Visas page.

Starting classes at Centennial College this winter? Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, most of our programs are being taught online, but we are scheduling some limited in-person lab and studio time for “hybrid” programs that have practical skills components. You're probably going to be learning from home most of the time, and we require students to stay off-campus whenever possible.

Key Considerations

Students that choose to start studying a hybrid* program or program with only the first semester online must complete their study permit process and arrive in Canada before continuing their second semester. Suppose a Study Visa/Permit is not approved. In that case, students may consider online program transfer options or use the credits to apply for credit-transfer at another institution in Canada or abroad.

Our campuses are open this winter to those students who have lab or studio times and locations shown on their timetable. Before coming to campus the first time, you will have to follow our re-entry procedures. You will learn about our campus safety protocols, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other guidelines to keep you safe during the pandemic. You will do a quick online quiz to test your knowledge, then present your little certificate the first time you come on campus for your lab. After that, you will do a brief health check with staff every time you enter the building.

In addition to our programs, Centennial has done a great job of shifting our campus services online so that you can access virtually anything you need through your computer, such as ordering textbooks.

Centennial College offers flexible solutions for international students to pursue their post-secondary studies. This global health crisis doesn’t have to stop your study abroad plans!

Centennial College is accepting applications and processing offer letters for available programs offered in the May 2021, Fall 2021, and Winter 2022 intakes. To determine if your program is available in your anticipated start date, check the program availability chart on the program outline.

Apply online. We will be with you every step of the way!

Review the Required Application Documents. For individual assistance, contact your International Admissions Assistant.

Every semester, the final registration deadline is one week past the start date of classes.

If you are an international student, you have a dedicated admissions team member at Centennial that will be happy to help throughout your admissions process. Contact your International Admissions Assistant.

To request a deferred offer letter, contact your international admissions team and include your Centennial ID number with your request. If you applied through an agent, please contact your agent to defer your start date at Centennial College.

International students who pay their first-semester tuition fees will automatically secure a seat in the next intake if they decide to defer.

Deadline to Defer: The deadline to defer your start date to the next available intake is one week after your program's start date. Until the deadline to defer, accepted international students can transfer their fees to the next available intake without administrative charges. The Winter 2021 semester begins on January 18, 2021. The Deadline to Defer for most programs is January 25, 2021.

Consider the benefits of starting your program online:

• Advance your career online by working towards a valuable Canadian academic credential that is recognized internationally.
• High-Quality Courses: Instructional design and educational technology specialists work closely with our faculty experts to develop online courses that offer learner interaction, practical exercises, simulated lab experiences, individualized attention & faculty-led instruction.
• Engaging Academic Community: build relationships with your classmates in our technology-enabled learning environment. Engage in idea sharing, collaboration, and teamwork through online discussions and group work.
• Virtual Student Services: your online learning toolkit includes extensive library and web-based resources. Access peer tutoring, success advising, or connect with an online learning strategist. Virtual orientations, career counselling, and immigration advising are available to support your goals to study and work in Canada.
• Enhance your resume with digital fluency and learning skills: prepare to become a skilled and confident user of technology in your chosen field.
• Online Flexibility: Conveniently access course materials and lessons on your own time (in your time zone) from the comfort of your home.
• Cost-saving: Save on accommodation and travel in your first semester. International students can save over $6000 CAD in housing and living expenses in the first semester by studying online.

The tuition payment deadline for the May 2021 semester is Thursday, March 25, 2021. Payments will be accepted after the deadline without late charges, until a program becomes full. If your program closes before you secure a seat by paying your first semester’s tuition, applicants will be put on a waiting list. You can also choose to defer your start date until the next available intake for your program.

We recommend that you make your payment as soon as possible. If you are paying from inside of Canada, you can make your fee payment online via your myCentennial student portal, by calling 416-289-5300 or through your Canadian bank. If you are paying from outside of Canada, we recommend our international payment partners. For more information, review our Payment options for international students.

• Click here to review tuition guidelines and fee structure for international students.
• Health insurance will not be paid if the student is not in Canada.
• Some Ancillary fees for services on-campus will not apply, but most services are offered virtually.

The tuition and standard of education are the same for online programs and on-campus programs. In fact, no public college across the Ontario system will reduce tuition for programs offered online during the pandemic. The costs for industry experts as instructors, robust success services, and quality learning environments, whether delivered in-person or online, are similar.

While in-person has many benefits, quality designed online courses carry parallel benefits for learning – and offer some unique advantages (based on a wealth of research). The key is in the power of engagement: (a) the quality and quantity of time students invest in their learning and (b) the quality invested by experts in creating online learning environments, from educational technology to student engagement.

Centennial has made significant investments to ensure high-quality education that meets the needs of industry. Instructional design and educational technology specialists work closely with our faculty experts to develop online courses that offer learner interaction, practical exercises, simulated lab experiences, individualized attention & faculty-led instruction.

The total cost for students is comprised of two components: tuition and fees (ancillary, health insurance, lockers, parking, and program/incidental). Students will not pay for goods or services that they do not have access to, such as facilities that are closed for public safety or services that cannot be offered virtually. As a result, the total cost for learning at a distance will be lower.

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in widespread English Proficiency test center closures in impacted regions. In response to this, Centennial College is offering new ways for students to meet the English proficiency requirements for their program.

Centennial College's English Assessment Test is accepted as an admissions test for the September 2020 and January 2021 intakes. Students unable to meet regular English proficiency requirements can apply for a conditional offer, and we will provide instructions on how to book your online English Assessment test.

You can apply to Centennial online, and there is no application fee. However, it will cost CAD $90 to book the online admissions test. Successful candidates that enroll at Centennial will receive a $90 credit towards their tuition fees. The cost of the test is non-refundable, and this credit has no cash value.

After completing the English assessment test, you will receive an Individual Score Report. International applicants should then contact their International Admissions Assistant by email and attach their English assessment test score report to their application package.

IELTS Indicator is a valid online test that can be taken from the comfort and safety of your home. The test includes four skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, and you will receive an indicative score for each. Your performance will be marked by IELTS examiners and you will receive your result within seven days. The Academic test is available for a limited time while IELTS testing is currently suspended due to COVID-19. To book your IELTS Indicator score, please www.ieltsindator.com

Centennial College accepts the following IELTS and IELTS Indicator scores:

The Duolingo English Test is an English proficiency test that can be taken online, anytime. No traveling to a test center or appointment needed. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and costs $49 USD. It includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample, which are shared with Centennial College when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.

Note: Some programs may require a successful score in the College Language Skills Assessment in addition to a grade 12 English grade or equivalent for admission consideration.

Centennial College students who meet the English proficiency requirements using the Duolingual test will need to take Centennial’s English Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) for placement purposes. A skills assessment for placement purposes may be required by your program for math, science or English.

Online flexibility is one of the advantages of online learning at Centennial College. You will be able to conveniently access course materials and lessons on your own time (in your timezone) from the comfort of your home. Instructional design and educational technology specialists work closely with our expert faculty to develop online courses that incorporate learner interaction, individualized attention, practical exercises, and faculty-led instruction. There will be 24/7 technical support available.

What to expect: online learning that is interactive and engaging!

• High-quality Canadian education that is internationally recognized
• Collaborate and build relationships with faculty and classmates
• Learn hands-on skills online using industry simulation technology

A Program Overview with information on the Course Outlines, Career Opportunities and Admission Requirements is available for all of our programs at Centennial College.

The program outline tab shows all of the courses you will take during each semester, and you can click on each individual course for more information about the curriculum you can expect to cover.

If your next semester or co-op is offered, we encourage you to continue with your studies on the model route for your program. You have invested in a quality education, and if your program is offered, it is because Centennial ensures quality education can be delivered through Teaching at a Distance.

Consider this: there are companies offering virtual co-op and internship opportunities – in Canada and abroad. Depending on your field of study, a virtual work placement may support your goals.

Talk to an Academic Advisor in your program or faculty to discuss your options for taking a gap and returning to studies later. If your program is not offered, there is no need to defer your start date. Your academic school will provide a Semester Recovery Plan that will support you in completing your program.

If you are currently enrolled as an international student, we advise that you connect with your International Student Advisor to discuss the potential implications. Taking an unscheduled break may impact your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after studies.

If you take a gap in studies, you are not eligible to work on or off-campus using your study permit during the gap. You also cannot use a co-op work permit, if you have one.

Note: students on a scheduled break are eligible to work if meeting eligibility requirements.

Although this is a difficult time for the world, it’s an exciting time in your life, and we can’t wait for you to start your college journey at Centennial.

Three steps you need to complete to be able to start classes:

1. Pay your tuition in full
2. Upload your important admissions and registration documents through myCentennial.
3. Build your timetable

Registration instructions will be sent to all new international students through headSTART. Check your preferred email address for more information for new international students.

If you have successfully completed the first two steps, you will receive a confirmation email indicating that you may proceed with the next step of choosing your courses. Please follow the instructions on how to build your timetable and watch the short video tutorial.

Our headSTART pre-arrival program offers a series of virtual orientation events and activities to support incoming students. For more information click here.