Durham College (DC) is a publicly funded college of applied arts and technology located in Ontario, Canada. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, it sits within the Durham Region, directly east of Toronto, making it one of the most conveniently positioned colleges in the country for students who want proximity to Canada’s largest city without paying Toronto’s cost of living.

Founded in 1967, Durham College has grown into one of Ontario’s most respected colleges, offering over 145 programmes across disciplines ranging from health sciences and engineering technology to business, digital media, and artificial intelligence. The institution places a deliberate emphasis on career-ready education, meaning the programmes are built around practical skills, industry placements, and employment outcomes rather than purely academic theory.

Durham College does not appear in the QS World University Rankings, which applies specifically to degree-granting universities and does not cover colleges of applied technology. Within Canada’s college system, DC is consistently recognised as a good performer. It holds several accolades for student satisfaction, applied research, and graduate employment rates. For Nigerian students whose goal is to enter the Canadian workforce quickly with a recognised and job-focused qualification, Durham College is one of the best choices available.

Why Choose Durham College?

Career-First Education

Every programme at Durham College is built with employment in mind. Industry partnerships, co-op placements, and applied learning are woven into the curriculum across nearly every faculty. Graduates leave with hands-on experience that Canadian employers recognise and value, not just a certificate or diploma.

Location Within Reach of Toronto

Oshawa is approximately one hour from downtown Toronto. This means Durham College students have access to one of North America’s most active job markets for internships, part-time work, and post-graduation employment, all while living in a city with a significantly lower cost of living than Toronto itself.

Accessible Entry for Nigerian Students

Durham College has structured its admissions process to be accessible for West African applicants. WAEC and NECO results are accepted, IELTS is frequently waived for students with good English grades, and HND holders from Nigerian polytechnics can enter graduate certificate programmes directly. The college meets Nigerian students where they are academically.

What a Durham College Credential Opens Up

• Eligibility for the Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after completing an eligible programme.
• Direct entry into Ontario’s active labour market in health, tech, business, and engineering.
• Pathways to Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry and the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP).
• The option to ladder into a university degree programme through articulation agreements with Canadian universities.
• A Canadian credential recognised by employers across North America and internationally.

Programmes at Durham College

Durham College offers over 145 programmes across its Oshawa and Whitby campuses. Below is an overview by faculty area.

Engineering and Technology

• Electrical Engineering Technician
• Mechanical Technician (Millwright)
• Electromechanical Engineering Technician
• Fast-Track options are available in this faculty for students who already hold a related diploma or degree

Business

• Accounting
• Human Resources Management
• Marketing
• Fast-Track versions of several business programmes are available for qualified applicants

Health and Community Services

• Practical Nursing (one of the most competitive and in-demand programmes at DC)
• Social Service Worker
• Addictions and Mental Health (Graduate Certificate)
• Dental Hygiene (highly competitive, fills quickly)

Digital and Information Technology

• Artificial Intelligence (Honours Bachelor’s Degree)
• Cybersecurity
• Computer Programming and Analysis

Fast-Track Programmes

Many Durham College programmes offer accelerated Fast-Track versions designed for students who already hold a diploma or degree in a related field. These condense the standard programme timeline and allow qualified Nigerian applicants with HNDs or prior degrees to move into the workforce faster.

Postgraduate and Graduate Certificates

Durham College does not offer traditional Master’s or PhD programmes. Its postgraduate offering consists of Graduate Certificate programmes, which are one or two-semester post-diploma or post-degree specialisations. These are designed for graduates who want to upskill or pivot into a new field quickly. Popular options include Addictions and Mental Health, Supply Chain Management, and Project Management.

Tuition Fees, Deposits & Scholarships

Post-Secondary Diplomas and Certificates

Tuition for diploma and certificate programmes runs from approximately $7,700 to $8,300 CAD per semester. Over a standard two-semester academic year, the annual total lands between $15,400 and $16,600 CAD.

Honours Bachelor’s Degrees

Degree-level programmes carry a higher fee. Tuition runs from approximately $9,300 to $9,600 CAD per semester, bringing the annual total to between $18,600 and $19,200 CAD.

Graduate Certificates

Graduate certificate programmes cost between $7,700 and $8,800 CAD per semester, with an annual total of $15,400 to $17,600 CAD depending on the programme.

Mandatory Ancillary Fees

Beyond tuition, every student pays mandatory ancillary fees covering University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), a U-Pass for local transit, and student services. Budget an additional $2,000 to $2,500 CAD per year for these costs. They are not optional.

The Global Entrance Scholarship

Every new international student who accepts an offer and pays their deposit by the deadline is automatically considered for the Global Entrance Scholarship. No separate application is needed.

For one-year programmes, the award is $2,000 CAD applied at enrolment. For multi-year programmes, it is $2,000 CAD in Year 1 and a further $1,000 CAD in Year 2, totalling $3,000 CAD across the programme. This comes off your tuition directly and is one of the most straightforward scholarship mechanisms available at any Canadian institution.

The Degree Entrance Award

Students entering an Honours Bachelor’s degree programme at Durham College may be eligible for an additional merit-based award of $500 to $3,000 CAD, assessed on the basis of your academic record. Like the Global Entrance Scholarship, this does not involve a separate application process.

Application Fee

The standard Ontario college application fee is $150 CAD. This fee is non-refundable.

Application Requirements

Diplomas and Certificates (Undergraduate Level)

• WAEC or NECO results with a minimum of 5 credits, including English Language and Mathematics
• Subject-specific credits relevant to your chosen programme may also be assessed

Honours Bachelor’s Degrees

• WAEC or NECO results with a minimum of 5 credits
• A minimum of B3 or above in core subjects relevant to the degree programme
• The AI and technology degree programmes may assess additional subject-specific criteria

Graduate Certificates (Postgraduate Level)

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Nigerian university, or
• A Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognised Nigerian polytechnic
• Official transcripts from your institution

English Language Proficiency

Nigerian students with a C6 or above in WAEC or NECO English are generally exempt from submitting an IELTS or TOEFL score. This waiver covers the vast majority of Nigerian applicants and removes one of the most time-consuming and costly steps in the process.

For applicants who do need a formal English test, the score benchmarks are as follows. Diploma programmes accept an IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band below 5.5. Graduate certificate and degree programmes accept an IELTS score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. The Practical Nursing programme has a stricter standard, accepting nothing below IELTS 7.0 with no band below 6.5. If Practical Nursing is your goal, factor this into your preparation timeline.

Admissions Timeline

Durham College accepts applications across three intakes each year. The September intake, which is the largest and most popular, has an equal consideration deadline of February 1st. The January intake closes on October 1st. The May intake also closes on February 1st.

Rolling admissions means that competitive programmes such as Practical Nursing and Dental Hygiene can reach capacity within days of the application window opening. For these programmes especially, applying on the first available day is not an exaggeration as a recommendation. It is a necessity.

Canadian Study Permit

Durham College students apply for a Canadian Study Permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), submitted online or at the Canadian High Commission.

Documents you will need include a valid Nigerian passport, your official acceptance letter from Durham College, proof of financial capacity to cover tuition and living expenses, biometric enrolment, and a statement of purpose explaining your study intentions. Canada does not use a blocked account system. Instead, you present bank statements and financial documents showing access to funds covering your first year of tuition plus living costs. A practical figure to work toward is demonstrating at least $20,000 to $25,000 CAD in accessible funds beyond your tuition.

Cost of Living in Oshawa

Oshawa is one of the most affordable cities in Ontario for students. The cost of living here is meaningfully lower than Toronto, Hamilton, or Ottawa, and the city has a well-developed student infrastructure given its large college and university population.

Accommodation (shared housing or student residence): $700 – $1,100 CAD per month
Shared housing is the most common option for international students in Oshawa. On-campus residence is available but limited, so off-campus housing searches should begin as early as possible after you receive your offer.

Food and Groceries: $250 – $400 CAD per month
Oshawa has a full range of supermarkets including No Frills, Food Basics, and Walmart, all of which offer budget-friendly grocery shopping.

Public Transport: Covered by U-Pass
The mandatory U-Pass included in your ancillary fees gives you unlimited access to Durham Region Transit during your enrolment period. This effectively eliminates your regular transport cost.

Health Insurance (UHIP): Covered by ancillary fees
The University Health Insurance Plan is included in your mandatory fees and covers basic medical care during your studies.

Books and Supplies: $100 – $200 CAD per semester

Personal and Miscellaneous: $150 – $250 CAD per month

Estimated Monthly Total (excluding tuition): $1,200 – $1,950 CAD

Work and Study Opportunities

Legal Work Rights in Canada

As an international student holding a valid Canadian Study Permit, you are permitted to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during term time and full-time during scheduled academic breaks including summer and winter holidays. No separate work permit is needed.

On-Campus Opportunities at Durham College

• Research and applied learning assistant positions within academic departments.
• Student ambassador and peer support roles.
• Campus events, administration, and IT support positions.
• Library and learning resource centre roles.

Working in Oshawa and the Durham Region

Oshawa’s economy is anchored in manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail. General Motors has a significant presence in the city and the broader Durham Region has a growing technology and logistics sector. Part-time opportunities readily available to DC students include:

• Retail and customer service positions across Oshawa’s commercial areas.
• Healthcare support and personal support worker roles for health programme students.
• Warehouse and logistics positions with major employers in the region.
• Tech support and data entry roles for IT and computing students.

Co-op and Work Placements

Many Durham College programmes incorporate mandatory or optional co-op semesters and field placements. These are structured work periods built into the programme timeline, giving students supervised Canadian work experience that counts toward both their credential and their future PGWP employment history.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

After completing an eligible programme at Durham College, you can apply for the Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit. The duration of this permit is tied to the length of your programme, up to a maximum of three years. During this period you can work anywhere in Canada in any field, building the work history you need to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry or the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme.

Your Durham College Journey Starts with StudyAbroadly

Canada’s college application system, study permit process, and financial documentation can be confusing to handle from Nigeria without the right support. Studyabroadly is a study abroad agency built specifically to help Nigerian students access quality education abroad without the guesswork.

Here is what we do for you:

• Programme and Institution Matching: We assess your qualifications, budget, timeline, and career goals to identify the right programme and intake at Durham College or any other institution that fits your profile.
• Full Application Management: We handle your application from start to finish, including document preparation, submission through the Ontario Colleges portal, and follow-up communication with the admissions office.
• Scholarship Access: We make sure your application is positioned and submitted on time to access the Global Entrance Scholarship and Degree Entrance Award automatically.
• IELTS Waiver Guidance: We help you pull together the right WAEC or NECO documentation to support your English proficiency waiver request.
• Proof of Funds Preparation: We guide you on structuring your bank statements and financial documents to meet Canadian immigration standards.
• Study Permit Application Support: We prepare your complete study permit document pack and walk you through the process.
• Pre-Departure Orientation: We prepare you for life in Ontario, covering banking, health insurance registration, transit, weather, and what to expect in your first weeks on campus.
• Post-Arrival Check-ins: Our support continues after you land. We stay in touch to make sure your transition into Durham College and into Canadian life goes smoothly.

If Durham College is where you want to build your future in Canada, reach out to Studyabroadly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get into Durham College with my WAEC result?
Yes. Five credits in WAEC or NECO including English and Mathematics meet the standard academic floor for diploma and certificate programmes. Bachelor’s degree programmes look for B3 or above in core subjects relevant to the degree.

Do I need IELTS?
Not if you have a C6 or above in WAEC or NECO English. This waiver applies to the vast majority of Nigerian applicants. If your English grade falls below C6, IELTS scores of 6.0, 6.5, or 7.0 apply depending on the programme level.

Is a Durham College diploma the same as a university degree?
No. Durham College awards diplomas, graduate certificates, and in some cases Honours Bachelor’s degrees. Diplomas and certificates are college-level credentials, not university degrees. They are, however, highly valued by Canadian employers in technical and applied fields and serve as a legitimate pathway to the PGWP and permanent residency.

Can an HND holder from Nigeria apply for a Graduate Certificate?
Yes. Durham College accepts HND holders from recognised Nigerian polytechnics for entry into Graduate Certificate programmes alongside applicants holding Bachelor’s degrees.

How competitive is Practical Nursing?
Extremely. Practical Nursing and Dental Hygiene are among the most competitive programmes at Durham College and regularly fill within days of the application window opening. If either of these is your target, submit your application on the first available day and ensure all your documents are ready in advance.

How does the Global Entrance Scholarship work?
It is automatic. Once you accept your offer and pay your deposit by the stated deadline, the scholarship is applied to your tuition without any additional paperwork. One-year programmes receive $2,000 CAD. Multi-year programmes receive $2,000 in Year 1 and $1,000 in Year 2.

What is the PGWP and how long does it last?
The Post-Graduation Work Permit allows Durham College graduates to work anywhere in Canada after completing an eligible programme. The duration matches the length of your programme up to a maximum of three years. It is one of the most direct routes from student status to Canadian permanent residency for Nigerian graduates.