International Applicants

Thank you for choosing Northern! We are thrilled you’d like to pursue your studies with us.

Here you will find more information on programs, how to apply, and what to expect for your studies at Northern College.

Admission requirements, including English proficiency, and other important information for each program, can be found on specific program pages.

When you are ready to apply, go to OCAS International to submit your documentation so we can review your application.

Browse Program Availability

How to Apply

Apply through OCAS International.

A non-refundable application fee of $100 will apply.

Submit the following documents with your OCAS application:

Official transcripts for any education completed (or in-progress) outside and/or in Canada.
An official copy of your valid passport and study permit (if you already have these documents).
Proof of English Proficiency test results from IELTS (academic), TOEFL or PTE required by the specific program.

Note: Documents submitted to OCAS for education completed outside of Canada must be notarized copies. A certified English translation must be accompanied if the original documents are not in English.

If you have any questions about applying, please contact admissions@northern.on.ca.

Apply on OCAS

Accepting Your Offer

Offer of Admission letters are sent directly to accepted students through international Application Service of Ontario College Admission System (where you submitted your application).

Please ensure you accept your offer and pay your deposit by the deadline to ensure the further processing of your registration.

Registration deadlines and tuition information can be found on your Offer of Admission letter under the Fee Structure section for the first payment due information.

Registration Tuition Payments

Programs Available

Learn more about the programs available for international students and familiarize yourself with the admissions requirements.

Program Available

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to a Post-Secondary Diploma or Certificate Program you must possess the equivalent of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and required courses as noted on specific program pages.

Equivalencies:

Upper Secondary School Certificate with a minimum grade of 6.5 in relevant subjects
English Proficiency requirements as outlined below.
Students must submit scanned copies of the original certified secondary school transcripts for diploma programs and college or university transcripts for postgraduate programs.
All documents must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Codes & Post-Graduation Work Permits

Northern College is making it easier to choose your new program by adding Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes to the program information on the college website. These CIP codes are listed on the specific programs under Programs & Courses.

Please note that not all CIP codes associated with Northern’s programs are included on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility CIP code list. Additionally, IRCC’s list of eligible programs may be updated occasionally without notice.

Students and agents are encouraged to look up the CIP code for their chosen Northern College program on our website and then search this code under the “Field of Study Requirements” section on IRCC’s website to verify PGWP eligibility.

For international students who submitted their study permit application before November 1, 2024, there are no field of study requirements, but they must meet the English proficiency requirement.

For applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, students must meet both the English proficiency requirement and graduate from an eligible field of study to qualify for PGWP.

English Proficiency Requirments

English Proficiency Tests for International applicants for whom English is a second language must demonstrate proficiency in both spoken and written English by taking the following:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTs Academic – Issued within the past 2 years

Certificate and Diploma programs: Overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual Band score under 6.0; however, we will accept one band at 5.5.

Be advised that the following programs require an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual Band score under 6.0

Post-graduate or Degree programs: Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual Band score under 6.0
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

Diploma or Certificate programs: 58+
Post-Graduate Certificate or Diploma programs: 60+
Advanced Standings: 60+

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
A score of 550 paper and 213 computer-based; 79-IBT.

For additional details, see: Test of English as a Foreign Language

English Language Proficiency Programs at Northern College

Our English Language Proficiency programs include English As A Second Language (ESL) and English Academic Program (GAS EAP) for international students. Please note that the ESL and GAS EAP program are not available to students from India.

Students from the following countries and meeting the criteria are exempt from English Proficiency admission requirements:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon (with GCE O and A level English courses), Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland (English curriculum), Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritius (with GCE O and A-level English courses), New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines (MOI*), Republic of Rwanda (MOI*), Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Sierra Leone, South Africa (English curriculum), Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe

*MOI means the “Medium of Instruction”. International students from countries with (MOI*) are required to provide an official MOI letter from their senior high schools and/or post-secondary institutions to prove English was the medium of instructions when they their courses in school.

International Credential Assessments

An Assessment Report is required, describing your level of education completed internationally for Comparable Canadian Standards. Northern College would prefer ICAS Assessment Reports as all levels of education – secondary, post-secondary and technical – can be assessed. Northern College will recognize and accept Assessment Reports from the following Service Providers: