Durham College: Comprehensive Guide to Programs, Admissions, and Student Life

Durham College, a leading Canadian institution renowned for its hands-on, career-focused programs, offers a wealth of opportunities for students seeking practical training and academic excellence. Located in the Durham Region of Ontario, with main campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College provides a supportive and stimulating learning environment designed to prepare students for successful careers in their chosen fields. With an impressive placement rate of 84%, Durham College serves as a launchpad for future careers, offering a diverse range of programs and services to support student success.

About Durham College

Established on September 18, 1967, in Oshawa, Durham College has grown from 16 portable classrooms, 14 staff members, and 205 students to a comprehensive institution with modern facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and experienced faculty members. Originally offering courses in applied arts, business, and technology, the college soon expanded to include health sciences and adult training. In 1993, a secondary campus was opened in Whitby, Ontario.

The college has established partnerships with York and Trent Universities, allowing students to access university courses from the Durham College Oshawa campus, and a similar partnership was formed with Ontario Tech University in 2003. Durham College now offers over 100 full-time programs. In 2018, the Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) was completed, housing classrooms for health programs and the Suswaaning Endaajig: First Peoples Indigenous Centre. The Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology (CSTT) at the Whitby campus opened in 2022.

Campus and Facilities

Durham College features a 73,000-square-foot campus library with four floors of learning space and a rotunda housing a periodicals collection. The Oshawa campus is shared with Ontario Tech University, providing access to facilities like the library and athletic amenities.

Academic Programs

Durham College offers a wide range of programs in various disciplines, including:

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Business
Information Technology
Media
Art and Design
Science
Skilled Trades
Criminal Justice
Emergency Services
Health
Social and Community Services
Engineering Technology

Durham College programs are known for their hands-on, experiential learning approach, combining theory and practical training. The college also has various partnerships with industries and organizations, offering students opportunities to gain real-world experience through internships, co-op programs, and work placements.

Featured Programs

Construction Management - Honours Bachelor: This program prepares students for careers in the construction industry, covering construction project management, building systems, construction law, and contract administration. Students work on real-world projects, develop communication and leadership skills, and learn to manage stakeholders effectively.
Mechanical Engineering Technician Diploma: This program provides practical and theoretical knowledge in mechanical engineering. Students learn to analyze and solve technical problems, apply mathematical and scientific principles, use CAD software, and operate and maintain equipment and machinery. The curriculum includes engineering design, materials science, thermodynamics, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
Human Resources Management: The program focuses on developing critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and knowledge of human resources principles and practices. It covers employment law, labour relations, recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and benefits, and human resources planning.
Registered Nurse Critical Care Nursing Graduate Certificate: Designed for registered nurses, this program enhances knowledge and skills in critical care, offering an in-depth understanding of critical care nursing theory and practice. The curriculum covers advanced cardiac and respiratory assessment, hemodynamic monitoring, pharmacology, and emergency management. Clinical placements provide hands-on experience in critical care units.
Web Design and Development: Students learn programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress and Drupal. The program also includes courses on web design principles, user experience (UX) design, multimedia, and digital marketing.

List of available programs with exam scores

Law:
- Paralegal
  - Exam scores: TOEFL iBT - 80
Hospitality, Leisure & Sports:
- Culinary Management
  - Study field Economics & Business Management, Applied Sciences & Professions, Hospitality, Leisure & Sports
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
Culinary Skills:
- Study degree Short Course Certificate
  - Study field Medicine, Applied Sciences & Professions, Hospitality, Leisure & Sports
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
Education & Training:
- Developmental Services Worker
  - Study field Applied Sciences & Professions, Social Sciences & Management, Education & Training
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
Medicine:
- Biomedical Engineering Technology
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Medicine, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Biotechnology - Advanced
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Medicine, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Community Mental Health
  - Exam scores: TOEFL iBT - 80
- Culinary Skills
  - Study degree Short Course Certificate
  - Study field Medicine, Applied Sciences & Professions, Hospitality, Leisure & Sports
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Dental Assisting (Levels I and II)
  - Study degree Short Course Certificate
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
Natural Sciences & Mathematics:
- Biomedical Engineering Technology
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Medicine, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Biotechnology - Advanced
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Medicine, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Chemical Engineering Technology
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Chemical Laboratory Technician
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
Applied Sciences & Professions:
- Behavioural Science (Honours)
  - Study field Applied Sciences & Professions, Social Sciences & Management
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Culinary Management
  - Study field Economics & Business Management, Applied Sciences & Professions, Hospitality, Leisure & Sports
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Culinary Skills
  - Study degree Short Course Certificate
  - Study field Medicine, Applied Sciences & Professions, Hospitality, Leisure & Sports
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Dental Reception and Administration
  - Study degree Short Course Certificate
  - Study field Applied Sciences & Professions, Medicine
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.5, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Developmental Services Worker
  - Study field Applied Sciences & Professions, Social Sciences & Management, Education & Training
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
Social Sciences & Management:
- Behavioural Science (Honours)
  - Study field Applied Sciences & Professions, Social Sciences & Management
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Developmental Services Worker
  - Study field Applied Sciences & Professions, Social Sciences & Management, Education & Training
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
Engineering & Technology:
- Architectural Technology
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Biomedical Engineering Technology
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Medicine, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Biotechnology - Advanced
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Medicine, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Broadcasting - Radio and Contemporary Media
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Journalism & Media
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Building Construction Technician
  - Study field Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
Computer Science & IT:
- Animation - Digital Production
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Arts & Humanities, Computer Science & IT
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Artificial Intelligence (Honours)
  - Study field Computer Science & IT
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Computer Programming
  - Study field Computer Science & IT
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Computer Programming and Analysis
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Computer Science & IT
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Computer Systems Technician
  - Study field Computer Science & IT
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
Arts & Humanities:
- Animation - Digital Production
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Arts & Humanities, Computer Science & IT
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Architectural Technology
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Building Construction Technician
  - Study field Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Game - Art
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Arts & Humanities, Computer Science & IT
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 53, TOEFL iBT - 80
Journalism & Media:
- Advertising and Marketing Communications
  - Study field Economics & Business Management, Journalism & Media
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Broadcasting - Radio and Contemporary Media
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Journalism & Media
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
Economics & Business Management:
- Accounting - Business
  - Study field Economics & Business Management
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Accounting - Business Administration
  - Study degree Advanced Diploma
  - Study field Economics & Business Management
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Advertising and Marketing Communications
  - Study field Economics & Business Management, Journalism & Media
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Business Fundamentals
  - Study degree Short Course Certificate
  - Study field Economics & Business Management
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.0, PTE - 50, TOEFL iBT - 80
- Construction Management (Honours)
  - Study field Engineering & Technology, Economics & Business Management
  - Exam scores: IELTS - 6.5, TOEFL iBT - 88

Admission Requirements

Durham College has an acceptance rate of approximately 41%, making it a moderately selective institution.

International Students

Durham College provides a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, including international students. A variety of services and resources are available to support students in succeeding academically and personally. The International Office provides support for students with immigration and visa-related issues, as well as cultural transition and academic advising.

International students often enroll in programs such as Business Administration, Computer Programming, Nursing, and Culinary Management.

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through standardized tests such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score is 6.0, and the TOEFL score should be no lower than 80.

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees at Durham College vary for domestic and international students. Canadian citizens pay approximately 1,951 USD per year, while international students pay a minimum of 9,931 USD per year. Additional costs for accommodation, transportation, study materials, meals, and personal expenses should also be considered.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Durham College is committed to supporting students through a comprehensive range of scholarships and bursaries. The institution offers merit-based, need-based, and program-specific scholarships, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to financial aid. Eligible students are automatically considered upon admission or during their studies, with many awards not requiring a separate application.

Student Life

Durham College provides a supportive environment with various services and resources to help students succeed academically and personally. The college offers first-year information, academic support resources, career services, student testing/in-class accommodations through the Access & Support Centre (ASC), and Student Academic Learning Services (SALS). The student life office and Student Association offer events and programs for students of all years. Student-run media includes The Chronicle online student newspaper and Riot student radio.

Apart from academic support, the College also has a range of extracurricular activities that the students can participate in, including sports, clubs, and cultural events.

Accommodation

Finding a comfortable and convenient place to live is a crucial part of the college experience. Durham College offers diverse living options to cater to every student’s needs, including on-campus residences and off-campus housing. On-campus housing provides a secure and immersive student environment with fully furnished rooms, meal plans, and support services. Off-campus housing options range from private rentals to homestay experiences, giving students more flexibility and control over their living arrangements.

After Graduation

After graduation, international students can stay in Canada for a period of 1 to 3 years by applying for a special visa, which allows them to work even without an official job offer.

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