Based in Toronto, students can use the campuses and the spectacular student accommodation, Centennial Place, as a base from which to explore the largest city in Canada. If students are struggling to adapt to their new surroundings, international advisors are on hand to ease any concerns they may have on their study abroad adventure.
Centennial prides itself on getting its students ready for the working world as soon as they graduate. Using co-op work placements, lab instruction, and various interactive teaching methods, it is a champion in experiential learning and works directly with employers to make sure students can network effectively.
Many Centennial programmes provide eligibility for designations from Canadian professional associations, and Programme Advisory Committees made up of over 800 industry leaders help shape the curriculum. Centennial's industry partners include Air Canada, IBM, Microsoft, Samsung, Facebook, Canadian Press, Bombardier Aerospace, and Sun Life Financial Inc.
It is no surprise that Centennial is the number one college choice for international students in Canada for the last six years in a row. Centennial supported 27,000 full-time students in the last year, including over 14,000 international students from 126 countries. With a huge international community and over 80 languages spoken on campus, it is seen as one of the most multicultural higher education institutions in Canada. There are over 170,000 proud Centennial College alumni around the world!
Whether students want to study a four-year degree, a diploma programme of two or three years, or a Graduate programme designed to get them job ready in as little as eight months, there are many options available for them to find their perfect course at Centennial.
As the global demand continues to grow, The Bombardier Centre for Aerospace and Aviation will prepare the next generation of aerospace technicians and technologists, like Arnold Malunda, Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering Technology student from Tanzania. ''I chose this program because ever since I was young, I have always been fascinated with aircraft and how they work. I chose Centennial College because the new Downsview campus is really out of this world. It's amazing and has all the equipment you need for successful graduation,'' he says.
Centennial students gain experience working on the most advanced technology in the industry. With a new Bombardier Global 7500 business jet donation, students get hands-on training on the prototype of the world's largest and longest-range purpose-built business jet with the industry's most advanced avionics and airframe features, including high-performance wings.
Centennial is the top college in Toronto for student satisfaction. International students at Centennial College report high satisfaction, with Expertise of Faculty: 91% and Campus Environment: 94%. Not surprisingly, 96% of Centennial international students surveyed feel engaged with their studies!
''The professors not only taught about things related to the field but also taught in context with the current industry. The Canadian college teaching style involves hands-on projects with opportunities to learn from your mistakes,'' says Mara Antonela, an Interactive Media Management student from Italy.
Centennial students receive cutting-edge education and learn from experts in their field. For example, in-demand knowledge and skills needed to start a career in Canada's booming Big Data analytics industry are taught by a Centennial College professor with over 20 years of analytics experience at companies like Capital One, in roles such as the Director of Data Analysis, Risk Capital and Analytics.
The faculty have been working with the Centre for Global Citizenship, Education & Inclusion to integrate Global Citizenship and Equity learning outcomes into the curriculum, designed for specific programmes and industries. Students will learn valuable leadership skills such as global citizenship, personal and social responsibility, intercultural intelligence and strategic communication. The Leadership Passport programme even allows Centennial students to gain a distinction in Leadership to further enhance their employability prospects.
Centennial students are exposed to world-class opportunities to work on research projects through Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Services (ARIES). These projects are funded through federal and provincial research grants, investment by industry partners and the college itself. In the last year, over CAD 7 million was provided to support the excellent research experience at Centennial. Students can work in paid research positions in fields such as environmental sciences, sustainable energy, animation and gaming, wireless networking, digital media, hospitality, aviation and automation and global citizenship. Of the over 125 community colleges in Canada, Centennial ranked 2nd in 2018 for the number of college students employed and paid for conducting applied research activities. Areas of strength include Centennial's Wearable Interactive Mobile Technology Access Centre in Health, and aerospace and advanced manufacturing research activity.
Global experience opportunities offer funding and support for experiences abroad, including international internships, semester exchanges, faculty lead international programs, short-term service-learning projects, language and culture learning, and international conferences and competitions.
Skills competitions are unique opportunities for top students to demonstrate that they are the best in their field. Centennial has earned the coveted Skills 2018 College of Distinction Trophy. At the 2019 Skills Ontario Competition, Centennial students competed in 26 categories and won 16 medals in areas such as baking, IT &network support, web design & development, computer aided manufacturing, and coding. Team Centennial went on to win two gold and one silver medal at the 2019 Skills Canada National Competition!
Furthermore, Centennial's academic programmes and credentials are globally recognized, securing 313 Degree Pathways and 31 Master's Degree Pathways. Established university pathways include:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Bachelor of Science (BSc) Master Programmes (MBA) Master in International Business Development (MAIB) Master of Science Technology Management, and more...As an internationally recognized institution, Centennial has partnerships with 120 institutions across 28 countries. Centennial's university partners in Canada include the University of Toronto, Brock University, Trent University, Carleton University, Ryerson University, Vancouver Island University, and more.
Of the students who pursue pathways to further study after graduating from Centennial College, the percentage of students who believe Centennial College prepared them for their next programme is over 90% for most of Centennial's academic schools.