Seneca College: How to Apply to Increase Your Chances in 2024


Seneca College is a Canadian multi-campus public college, offering world class polytechnic education to its students. Located mainly in the Greater Toronto Area and Peterborough, this college combines rigorous academics with practical training, preparing you with the knowledge and the experience to face real world challenges.

With over 290 full-time and part-time programmes, and 500 career options, Seneca offers a range of credentials that allow you the flexibility to chart out your education to suit your career path. By integrating theory and hands-on-training, both inside and outside the campus through specialised research and simulation labs, internships, placements and co-op opportunities, Seneca provides world class higher education that fulfils the needs of students from across the globe and the industry.

Fundamentally, there are four main reasons why international students choose Seneca. They choose it for the real world experiences, their applied research facilities, their student support services, and their entrepreneurship incubator. Knowledge, skill and a business mindset is what you will learn in this college of applied arts and technology.


Brief information on Seneca College


Founded in 1967, Seneca College began as an Ontario provincial initiative to provide career-oriented diploma and certificate courses along with continuing education programmes for those looking to up-skill themselves, grow in their profession or learn a new trade. In 2001, the college was assessed and granted the ability to offer undergraduate degrees as well. Since then, the college has built its reputation and educates about 45,000 students (acceptance rate of over 85%), out of which more than one third is made up of international students from over 150 different countries.

Source: Seneca

Besides the traditional teaching-learning process, the college is also one of the top colleges in Canada for applied research and entrepreneurship. It is one of Canada’s top colleges for innovative applied research, according to the rankings published by Research InfoSource Inc.

Built on the values of excellence, innovation, community and diversity, Seneca has established itself as one of the leading post-secondary institutions, giving its students a competitive advantage in today’s global economy.

Intake: September, January and May

Faculties and Courses

Seneca has 13 areas of study under which it offers all its courses. They are

  • Aviation
  • Business
  • Creative Arts, Animation and Design
  • Education, Community and Social Services
  • Engineering Technology
  • Fashion and Esthetics
  • Health and Wellness
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Information Technology
  • Law, Administration and Public Safety
  • Liberal Arts
  • Media and Communications
  • Science

Having completely embraced innovation, Seneca continues to offer courses in three formats – on campus, online and hybrid. Within the above-mentioned list of disciplines, you can earn one or more of the following credentials.

S.No Name of the Credential What is it Transfer Options Typical Duration When can you apply
1 Honours Degree An undergrad degree Can join the workforce or proceed to do a master’s level programme 4 years After OSSD/ Class XII or equivalent
2 Diploma and Advanced Diploma Preparation for entry-level employment or an undergrad degree Can either enter the workforce at the entry level or use it as a pathway for a bachelor’s programme. 2 – 3 years After OSSD/ Class XII or equivalent
3 Graduate Certificate Postgraduate diploma courses for specialisation Can enter the workforce at a higher level or transfer to a master’s programme. 8 months – 1 year After a bachelor’s or a master’s degree
4 Certificates Short courses to explore an industry or a career direction These credits do not transfer. They are additional professional certifications that can be done either at the introductory or at an up-skilling level. 1 year After OSSD/ Class XII or equivalent
5 Microcredential Short courses for upskilling/ reskilling/ boosting your CV These credits do not transfer. They are meant for boosting your resume and skills. 4 – 6 weeks At any point

In addition, there are the pathway programmes. At the undergraduate level, there are over 50 partner institutions, located both in Canada and abroad where you can transfer Seneca diploma credits. This list includes the prestigious Universities of Toronto, York and British Columbia to name a few.

It also offers more than 50 master’s degree pathways that offer comprehensive postgraduate opportunities. You can build either on the Seneca degree courses or the graduate certificate courses and gain a full-fledged master’s degree. These are the master’s degree pathway partnerships.

  • Boston University
  • Washington University (Graduate School of Political Management)
  • Griffith University
  • Niagara University
  • North Park University
  • Northeastern University, Toronto
  • Robert Gordon University
  • Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
  • University of the Arts, London

Another option for international students is the Bundled Graduate Certificates. It is basically where you apply for two consecutive graduate certificate courses with one application. If selected for both, then you can graduate with two credentials under one student visa. You will also be permitted to stay back for an extra year, should you choose to do so. Only select courses are allowed the bundling option. You can access the list at the college website, senecacollege.ca.

College, not University

While you can use college and university interchangeably to refer to higher education institutions in some countries, this is not the case in Canada. The highest degree a Canadian college can award is a bachelor’s. They also have full-time or part-time diploma and certificate courses. College courses are more practical, application and career-oriented when compared to a university.

In contrast, universities are much larger institutions that grant degrees. They confer Bachelor,
Masters or even Doctoral degrees. A university is typically more research and knowledge-oriented than career-based.

So, let there be no confusion, especially when you see Seneca@York. It is a name given to one of the campuses that is located on the grounds of York University. Beyond the proximity and a few pathway programmes, they are two independent institutions. Having said that, let us now look at the campuses and what they offer.

How is Campus life at Seneca College, Canada?


As a student, your life as a college student in Canada is about balancing academic rigour and socialising and networking amid the extracurricular activities that abound on campus.

As one of the top Canadian colleges, it should be no surprise that the academic requirements are quite demanding and require your complete involvement. Time management is the key to balance your assignments, research projects, lectures while also enjoying the campus for all its perks. Let us take a look at the 7 campuses and some of the facilities to enrich your campus life.

1. Newnham Campus


Source: Seneca Newnham

Location: 1750 Finch Avenue East Toronto, Ont. M2J 2X5

  • One of the largest college campuses in Canada
  • Home to over 15,000 full-time students
  • Offers over 100 different programmes, from Accounting to Visual Merchandising Arts
  • Seneca’s Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE) is located here
  • CITE also hosts HELIX, Seneca’s centre to promote entrepreneurship

2. King Campus


Source: Seneca King

Location: 13990 Dufferin St. King City, Ont. L7B 1B3

  • Located in King City, about 40 kilometres north of Toronto.
  • Offers around 30 programmes related to Applied Arts, Health Sciences and Community Services.
  • This includes Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Landscape Management and Veterinary Technician Studies.
  • Seneca Residence for over 200 students is available on campus.
  • Eaton Hall, a historical building constructed in 1938 is located here.

3. Markham Campus


Source: Wikimedia commons

Location: 8 The Seneca Way, Markham, Ont. L3R 5Y1

  • Located in Markham, about 30 kilometres northeast of Downtown Toronto
  • This campus has programmes primarily in the areas of business management, finance, and computer programming.
  • This campus is home to the Seneca International Academy where you can get world-class education that employers around the globe recognize.
  • The Confucius Institute to promote Mandarin, Chinese culture and facilitate cultural exchange is located here.

4. Peterborough Campus


Source: Seneca Peterborough

Location: 925-580 Airport Road Peterborough, Ont. K9J 0E7

  • It is Seneca’s aviation campus.
  • The practical aspects of the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology is taught at the Peterborough Airport.
  • The college owns a fleet of 21 aircraft to help teach the technological and human factors that affect the successful operation of an aircraft.

5. Seneca@York Campus


Source: Seneca@York

Location: 70 The Pond Road, Toronto, Ont. M3J 3M6
Sharing a campus with York University, Seneca offers courses in the following disciplines on this campus – Arts and Science, Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry, Community Services, Creative Arts and Animation, Marketing, Human Resources, Information and Communications Technology and Media.

6. Seneca Downtown


Source: Seneca Downtown

Location: 18 King St E., 17th floor. Toronto, ON, M5C 1C4

  • Located in Downtown Toronto
  • It is the Centre for Executive and Professional Learning
  • Designed for executive certificates, microcredentials and workshops
  • Courses are available during the day, in the evening, on weekends, online and in person, to suit the working professional.

7. Yorkgate Campus


Location: 1 York Gate Blvd North York, Ont. M3N 3A1
This campus began as an access and outreach centre. Today, it primarily offers courses of Academic Upgrading (to gain extra credits to apply for a college certificate, diploma program or an apprenticeship) and full time courses such as Social Service Worker, Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker.

Academic Support Services


Source: Seneca

  • Pathway programmes to continue your education, either at Seneca or in other institutions
  • Access to research specialisations and centres – Seneca Centre for Health and Social Innovation (SCHSI), Seneca Centre for Innovation in Artificial Intelligence Technology (CIAIT), Seneca Centre for Innovation in Life Sciences (SCILS), Open Source Technology for Emerging Platforms (OSTEP)
  • Accessible learning services for people with disabilities
  • International student services that include free airport pickup, housing and accommodation assistance, orientation, visa assistance, health insurance, and monthly trips and activities
  • Learning support centres for workshops, tutoring, one-on-one sessions and exam preparation
  • Personal Counselling services
  • Seneca Libraries
  • Career Guidance through SenecaWorks with a job bank of 16,000+ organisations posting 7,000+ jobs per year
  • Access to HELIX, an innovation and entrepreneurship incubator with over 19,000 participants
  • Dedicated student advisor for full-time students

Student Life at Seneca


Source: Seneca

  • A member of the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA), varsity and intramural games happen periodically. The college also has fitness programmes that run all year long.
  • Free peer mentoring programme
  • Numerous student clubs and associations and the freedom to found a new one to meet people with similar interests, network, build relationships and develop leadership skills
  • SSF – the Seneca Student Federation
  • Seneca Leadership Programme where you can work on personal development, organisational development and community development.
  • Dining services with an online pre-ordering platform wherein you can customise your meals on the go.
  • Campus accommodation with intercampus shuttle services.

Please note: this video reflects information from 2023

What are the most popular courses at Seneca College?


We break down the above here…

1. Honour Bachelor of Aviation technology


If flying has been your dream, then this course is for you. Designed in collaboration with industry partners, this course is the path to becoming a commercial pilot.

What is this course?

The only aviation technology-based degree programme in Canada, this undergraduate course has been designed to meet the demands of the growing commercial aviation industry in the post-pandemic world. It will teach you to operate multi-engine aircraft using manually prepared flight plans, automated flight systems, understand the technology and the human factors involved in the successful operation of an aircraft and learn the principles of business administration and management of airports and air carriers.

Why is this course good at this college?

  • It is the only aviation technology-based degree program in Canada.
  • The college has been a national leader in aviation education for more than 5 decades.
  • The curriculum is always updated to meet the latest developments in the field and balances theory and practice.
  • Mandatory degree work term of a minimum of 420 hours
  • Includes intensive flight training and is approved by Transport Canada, the governmental department of transportation.

 Eligibility and Duration

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) / Grade XII CBSE or CISCE equivalent with a minimum score of 65%
  • Required courses that you will have to take in your Grade XII are English, Calculus and Vectors, Advanced Functions and Physics.
  • English language proficiency minimum requirements: IELTS Academic – 6.5 with no band below 6.0 / TOEFL iBt – 84 with no score less than 21/ Duolingo – 115-120 or equivalent.

Duration: 8 semesters (4 years)
Location: Newnham, Peterborough
Format: Hybrid

Fees

The annual tuition fee for both domestic and international students is CA $18,007

2. Honours Bachelor of Data Science and Analytics


Across industries and organisations ranging from healthcare to retail fashion, data science has taken over business strategizing and decision-making. An interdisciplinary field that brings together maths, statistics, technology and specific domain knowledge, you will transform large amounts of data into an information goldmine.

What is this course?

Offered by the school of the School of Software Design & Data Science, this programme has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of today’s data-driven economy. Upon completing this course, you will be in a unique position, capable of combining an in-depth knowledge of computer science and statistics with business management strategies and principles. You will build problem solving and critical thinking skills to engage in decision-making.

Why is this course good at this college?

  • The course has a work-integrated learning model with a co-op work term. It requires a minimum of 420 hours of work to gather the required practical experience.
  • This course has the following affiliations/ accreditations
    • Business Technology Management Accreditation Council (BTMAC)
    • Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
    • Dell EMCDS
    • Systems Applications and Products (SAP)

Eligibility and Duration

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) / Grade XII CBSE or CISCE equivalent with a minimum score of 65%
  • Required courses that you will have to take in your Grade XII are English and Maths.
  • English language proficiency minimum requirements: IELTS Academic – 6.5 with no band below 6.0 / TOEFL iBt – 84 with no score less than 21/ Duolingo – 115-120 or equivalent.

Duration: 8 semesters (4 years)
Location: Newnham
Format: Hybrid

Fees

The annual tuition fee for international students is CA $19,937

3. Graduate Certificate in International Business Management


Irrespective of what your undergraduate degree is, if you want to set foot into the wide array of management careers, then this is a course to consider. This popular course gives you an insight into the practical aspects of global business management.

What is this course?

Emphasising on collaborative, project-based and case analysis mode of learning, this is a postgraduate diploma course wherein you will dive into the depths of the complex world of international business. You will learn to do global business research, marketing planning, supply chain management practices and the fundamentals of international finance and banking applications from experienced industry professionals. The course culminates with you developing an international export business plan.

Note: Graduates of the three-year Business Administration — International Business (BAB) program, or a similar program at an Ontario College, are not eligible for this graduate certificate program.

Why is this course good at this college?

  • Most of the applicants to this course come after a minimum of three years of work experience. This is a great resource for professional networking and learning from other’s experiences.
  •  This program is accredited by FITT (Forum for International Trade Training).
  • This pg diploma can also function as a stepping stone to pursue other industry designations such as the PMP (Project Management Professional) or the CITP (Certified International Trade Professional).

Eligibility and Duration

  • Ontario university or college degree or three-year college diploma or equivalent with a minimum overall average of 55% and no more than 4 backlogs.
  • Foreign students must provide a World Education Services (WES) or ICAS Canada credential evaluation.
  • While 3 – 5 years of work experience is not mandatory, it is recommended.
  • English language proficiency minimum requirements: IELTS Academic – 6.5 with no band below 6.0 / TOEFL iBt – 88 with no score less than 22 or equivalent.

Duration: 2 semesters (8 months – 1 year)
Campus: Newnham, Seneca International Academy (Markham)
Format: Hybrid

Fees

The tuition fee for two semesters together is CA $17,176.

4. Advanced Diploma in Animation


If you have been drawn into the world of cartoons, animated movies or the superhero ones, then this might just be the course for you. Enter the world of animation with this three year advanced diploma course.

What is this course?

It is an innovative programme that will help you gain skills and knowledge in both traditional and digital animation. After the first year of learning the foundational skills such as  animation, design, film language, life drawing and structural drawing, you get to choose a specialisation – 2D animation / 3D animation / game art and animation / visual development – for your second and third year. Through this program, you will develop the skill set required to produce animations for the web, television, games or film.

Why is this course good at this college?

  • It is one of the most sought after colleges in Canada for visual effects and animation.
  • The curriculum is designed based on a cross-disciplinary training that is essential to make your mark in today’s collaborative animation industry.
  • By intertwining specialisation streams, the Seneca Animation Model gives you a well-rounded experience.
  • The course is affiliated to the following organisations:
    • Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI)
    • Ottawa International Animation Festival
    • LightBox Expo
    • Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics & Interactive Techniques
    • Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO)
    • Toon Boom Center of Excellence program

Eligibility and Duration

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) / Class XII certificate  or equivalent
  • English language proficiency minimum requirements: IELTS Academic – 6.0 with no band below 5.5 / TOEFL iBt – 80 with no score less than 20 / Duolingo – 105 – 110 or equivalent.
  • Submitting an art portfolio at the time of application is mandatory.

Duration: 6 semesters
Location: Seneca@York
Format: Hybrid

Fees

The annual tuition fee for international students is $21,192.

5. Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology


The environment does play a major role in shaping our behaviour. The pressures of today’s world has resulted in a global mental health crisis. There is an increasing demand in Canada for mental health professionals, especially those who provide Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services or help with learning disabilities in children. With this course, you become eligible to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst Examination (BCaBA) and help those in need.

What is this course?

This course explores a range of subjects in psychology including behavioural intervention, behavioural techniques and the application of Applied Behaviour Analysis in clinical and non-clinical settings. You will gain the skills to understand and intervene to help those with developmental and intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder; understand the applications of mental health and neurological injury and design treatments and interventions.

Why is this course good at this college?

  • It is one of the first four-year undergraduate honours degrees in Canada that provides a comprehensive program of study in the rapidly growing field of Behavioural Psychology.
  • There is a mandatory work term with a minimum requirement of 420 hours.
  • The course is verified by The Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Eligibility and Duration

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with a minimum of 65% in all subjects
  • English language proficiency minimum requirements: IELTS Academic – 6.5 with no band below 6.0 / TOEFL iBt – 84 with no score less than 21/ Duolingo – 115-120 or equivalent.

Duration: 8 semester (4 years)
Location: King
Format: Hybrid

Fees

The annual tuition fee for overseas students is CA $19,487.

Based only on enrolment numbers, the top 5 programs in Seneca are:

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Accounting
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Police Foundations
  • Liberal Arts and Social Service Works

What are the Seneca College fees for Indian Students?


In order to give you a general idea for financial planning, the typical tuition fee ranges from about CA $14,900 – CA $23,829, depending on the course of your choosing. As an Indian student going to Canada, you should also account for ancillary fees such as book and supplies (CA $1,000 – $3,000), health insurance (~ CA $800), on campus or off campus housing (CA $700 – CA $1,200 per month) and the general cost of living.

Seneca has a number of scholarship options for international students.

  • 1. Entrance Awards: For the academically exceptional students who have been offered admission to Seneca.
  • 2. Alumni Pay-It-Forward Bursary
  • 3. Annie Wong Leung Kit Wah Award for International Students
  • 4. Bala and Karnika Krishnan Endowed Award
  • 5. Black Seneca Student Award
  • 6. Campaign for Students Bursary for International Students
  • 7. Consolidated Credit Financial Empowerment Award
  • 8. Daphne Fernando Memorial Award
  • 9. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Bursary
  • 10. Georgiana Trotman Memorial Award
  • 11. International Student Achievement Award
  • 12. TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Scholarship

While this is not an exhaustive list, it gives a sense that a number of financial aid options are available. Each of them has a separate application procedure and requires a lot of research and planning. The award amount typically ranges from CA $500 – CA $5,000.

What are the career opportunities after graduating from Seneca College?


Choosing to be an international student and pursuing your career goals abroad is an investment. So we must talk about the return on investment as well.

SenecaWorks

  • SenecaWorks is the college’s career portal that helps you find on-campus work, internships, or employment opportunities on graduation.
  • As a college it emphasises in hands-on, career focussed learning. The college has an employment rate of 76.7% and 95% employer satisfaction
  • They play a huge role in creating a work-integrated learning ecosystem.
  • Every year they bring in over 24,000 employers and over 7,000 job postings.
  • They organise career events and workshops that will aid you to sharpen job search strategies.

Some in-demand job roles in Canada

Among Seneca courses, Project Management graduates are some of the highest paid with an average salary of around CA $65,000. According to Global News Canada and Immigration Canada, these are some of the in-demand jobs. The numbers in brackets show estimated median annual salary.

  • Registered Nurses (CA $76,050)
  • Software Developer (CA $68,000 to $155,000)
  • Sales managers (CA $102,375)
  • Cloud Architects (CA $102,375)
  • Civil, electrical, electronic, and mechanical engineers (CA $66,000 to $131,000)
  • Healthcare professionals ($68,000 to $94,000)
  • Digital marketing specialists (CA $62,000 to $122,000)
  • HR roles (CA $75,000 to $156,000)

Top industries in Ontario

According to the provincial government’s website, Manufacturing (especially automobile), agriculture, forestry, mining and the services industry (76.9% of the province’s economy) are some of the biggest industries.

Cities with the most opportunities in Ontario: Toronto, Ottawa, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo and Hamilton.

Work Permit and Immigration

Let us now discuss the immigration legalities. Having completed your course, you must apply for a PWGP (post-graduation work permit).

Based on the latest rules, international students applying to Canada for a study permit must now have around CA $20,635 as available funds, in addition to the tuition fee and deposit to prove that they can afford Canada’s cost of living. The amount has more than doubled since the previous requirement of CA $10,000 due to inflation and the rising cost of living in Canada.

Having completed your course, you must apply for a PWGP (post-graduation work permit).

You are given up to 180 days after graduation to apply for your permit. The length of your permit is typically equal to the length of your course. It can range anywhere from 8 months to three years. It is important to note that after 31 December 2023, it will no longer be possible to extend your PGWP.

After having gained one year of professional experience under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of 0, A, or B, you can apply for the PR (Permanent Residence) programme

What are the General Admission Requirements?


At the undergraduate/ diploma level: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. This includes ISE, CBSE or International baccalaureate with a minimum score of 65%.

There are options for Academic upgrading. If you do not have the minimum credits or have not taken a required course, then you can choose this programme at the Yorkgate campus. It is typically 1 – 3 semesters long, after which you will be qualified to apply for a college-level course.

For postgraduate diplomas: An undergraduate degree with an average score of over 60%. Some subjects such as nursing, accounts, IT or any of the engineering courses will require above 70%. A backlog summary is compulsory.

English language requirements: While IELTS and TOEFL are the major tests that are accepted, you can also take the PTE, Cambridge assessments or the Duolingo test.

Proficiency Tests Certificate Programs Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas Degree Courses Ontario Graduate Certificate (PG Diplomas)
IELTS Academic Minimum 6.0 with no skill below 5.5 Minimum 6.0 with no skill below 5.5 Minimum 6.5 with no skill below 6.0 Minimum 6.5 with no skill below 6.0
TOEFL iBT Minimum 80 with no skill below 20 Minimum 80 with no skill below 20 Minimum 84 with no skill below 21 Minimum 88 with no skill below 22
PTE Minimum score 58 Minimum score 58 Minimum score 60 Minimum score 58

How to apply to Seneca College?


Here is the application process.

  • 1. Research thoroughly and select a programme and the right credential for you. Keep track of the dates. Whether your course begins in September, January or March, the application opens on October 1. Note that for January and March entry, the application begins on October 1 of two previous calendar years.
  • 2. Put together your proof of academic standing, with an ICAS or WES evaluation.
  • 3. Go through the programme pages carefully to ensure you have not missed out any of the additional requirements such as portfolios, essays or questionnaires.
  • 4. Review the fee payment schedule
  • 5. Fill in the application form and submit through ontariocolleges.ca. An application fee of CA $90 must be paid.
  • 6. Keep track of scholarship applications, their requirements and deadlines.
  • 7. On receiving a letter of acceptance, pay the first fee instalment and then begin the application process for your student visa.

Or, you can apply through TC Global’s super quick and easy student portal.

At TC Global, we simplify international education, learning, and mobility through connecting students, universities, and a global community on a single platform where there are over 1000+ education providers and over 80,000+ courses.

Our platform enables students to study anywhere in the world in just a few steps. From search and discovery and finding the right course fit for you, to applications, visas, and departure – we see you through it all.

To move forward with us, download our app or visit tcglobal.com and sign in to create an account on our student platform and onboard with us in quick, easy steps.! 🚀


Date added
13.12.2023

Filed under:

Global Ed

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