Overview

Conestoga is one of the premier polytechnic colleges in Canada delivering a full range of career-focused education, training and applied research programs to prepare students for success. Conestoga was established in 1967. The college hosts over 31,000 registered students who thrive across eight different campuses and training centres. In addition, there are 30,000 part-time learners registering for continuing education across over 230 programs. Conestoga has built its reputation on a unique approach to learning excellence, embodied by its small class sizes and applied, project-focused learning.

　　Conestoga is a fantastic international community, with international students from 80 countries in attendance. These students are able to pursue a huge variety of programs, courses and certificates to meet their aspirations including bridging programs, university agreements that open up opportunities to secure multiple credentials.

　　The city of Waterloo and the surrounding region is a bustling hub of innovation and opportunity, just a short journey from the capital city, Toronto. The Waterloo region is widely regarded as Canada's technology capital and is the perfect home for students looking to immerse themselves in cutting-edge education, new ways of thinking, and emerging business.

　　Conestoga's School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology is situated on the college's Waterloo campus, offering students access to one of North America's fastest-growing technology sectors. The institution's forward-thinking programs provide a 21st-century education that readies graduates for exciting careers in the innovative realm of information and communications technology. With strong connections to the local industry, students engage in project-based and work-integrated learning, enabling them to address real-world problems and immerse themselves in cutting-edge technologies. This approach empowers students on their professional journey within this rapidly expanding sector.

　　

What's new

Two new campuses for Milton

　　Conestoga College is excited to announce the opening of two new campus locations, offering students a huge new range of educational opportunities and modern facilities.

　　The new Milton campus will open in 2024, providing 30,000 square feet of learning and socialising space. It'll support 2,000 students full-time, providing programs across areas including project management, business analysis, community services, supply chain management and more.

　　The Steeles Avenue location will also be opening in 2024, housing the Conestoga Centre of Excellence in Healthcare Education. Through the provision of high-quality experiential learning, excellent student support and new collaboration opportunities, students will be supported in achieving their goals. Available programs include nursing leadership and healthcare management, health and social systems navigation, enhanced practice for internationally educated nurses, and more.

　　

Expanding healthcare education for Milton

　　Conestoga College's School of Health and Life Sciences is broadening the reach of its healthcare program offerings, introducing new and exciting study options for Milton.

　　Made possible through the new Conestoga Centre of Excellence in Healthcare Education, opening in 2024, students will be able to undertake a range of hands-on qualifications in personal support worker (PSW) and nurse training.

　　Up to 800 full-time students will be able to study at the new centre, benefiting from an environment designed for collaboration, enhanced networking opportunities and a continuing dedication to high-quality learning experience.

　　

Teaching quality

Conestoga is a premier polytechnic college. It is a fast-growing college in Ontario, due to its future-focused range of programs and courses, as well as emphasis on career-focused training and applied research. Students at Conestoga can live and study with confidence that they are getting an excellent preparation for success in a fast-changing, competitive knowledge economy.

　　The faculty of Conestoga college are highly trained professionals in their chosen fields, with years of practical experience and business success under their belts. Students at the college are able to work with staff in small classrooms with lots of face-to-face, personalised learning and collaboration. The college also prides itself on its integration with the surrounding business community. Situated in Ontario's recognized tech capital, there is no shortage of exciting enterprises and established businesses which participate in knowledge exchange with the college.

　　The college also has a number of unique facilities and programmes including a number of Conestoga-run childcare centres across the Waterloo region that function as lab schools for programs in childcare related courses. Students working at these locations have a chance not only to make a real difference to lives of children, but to access well-equipped labs, project-based courses, applied clinical experience, and applied research opportunities. Students at Conestoga stand head and shoulders above the rest with the opportunity to link theory, research and practice and establish excellent educational foundations.

　　

Department structure

The college offers over 230 programs of study with a clear career focus and supports more degree offerings than any other college outside of the Greater Toronto Area. This includes the only fully college-delivered, accredited engineering degrees in the state of Ontario. Across the 230 plus certificates on offer, there are a wide range of diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate programs, including many with co-op options.

　　The college's wide range of programs are designed to ensure that every kind of student can get the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, with multiple points of entry and learning pathways to ensure that nobody in the community is left out. The college also holds a number of articulation agreements with universities and colleges around the world, ensuring that Conestoga students have direct access to further post-secondary opportunities. The college offers extensive programming in the following fields:

　　School of Applied Computer Science and Information Technology

　　School of Business

　　School of Community Services

　　School of Creative Industries

　　School of Engineering and Technology

　　School of Health and Life Sciences

　　School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts

　　School of Interdisciplinary Studies

　　School of Trades and Apprenticeship

　　School of Workforce Development

　　

Entry requirements

Entry into a program at Conestoga college requires the satisfaction of a number of entry criteria. These include meeting the admission requirements of the specific program being applied for. Applicants should check the admissions requirements page of the course or program they are applying for to note any additional requirements for successful application.

　　All applicants will need to provide evidence of English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

　　For a diploma or certificate: 6.0 IELTS (with no band less than 5.5), 80 TOEFL (excluding practical nursing, respiratory therapy, public relations, food processing technician, and journalism diploma programs) with no individual skill less than 20

　　For a degree program: 6.5 IELTS (with no band less than 6.0), 88 TOEFL with no individual skill less than 22 (including practical nursing, respiratory therapy, public relations, food processing technician, and journalism diploma programs)

　　For a graduate certificate: 6.5 IELTS (with no band less than 6.0), 88 TOEFL with no individual skill less than 22 (some IT and engineering programs may require other scores)

　　For students who do not meet the English language requirements for direct entry into a full-time program of post-secondary education, they may apply for the college's English for Academic Studies (EAS) course.

　　

Facilities

Conestoga college has a fantastic array of facilities for its students, as well as the general public, to make use of. The college is a great place to live and socialize, with a student-run restaurant, childcare centres, a recreation centre, and a bookstore on campus.

　　Conestoga has three resident locations: Brantford, Kitchener and Waterloo that provides comfortable living arrangements very close to its campuses in these locations, meaning that students can enjoy all the amenities of home and short travel times, including a dedicated shuttle service to the different campus sites. The facilities offered by all residences include:

　　Kitchenette with microwave

　　Fridge and freezer

　　Television with basic cable

　　Telephone and WiFi access

　　Secure access and 24-hour security

　　Common areas including study lounges

　　Laundry facilities

　　The college is also proud of its Athletics and Recreation Department, which offers a variety of sports, activities and facilities to help students meet people, get involved in their community, and improve their health and wellbeing.

　　

Scholarships & funding

The college offers a number of scholarships, bursaries or other funding opportunities to its students. Students are automatically considered for entrance and regional scholarships depending on a number of criteria which may include, but are not limited to, program of study, country of origin, or financial circumstances.

　　Both entrance and regional awards are accessible to new students only. Applicants for these scholarships will be ranked and selected according to their previous academic performance, with the highest scorers being successful. All applicants will need to be full-time students at Conestoga college. In addition, to be eligible, students must continue to pay their deposits and fees by the due dates indicated in their acceptance letters. All international students are eligible for a number of entrance scholarships:

　　Entrance Excellence Scholarship

　　English for Academic Studies to Post-Secondary Studies Scholarship

　　Continuing Canadian Education Scholarship

　　2nd Program Scholarship

　　International students are also eligible for regional scholarships:

　　Degree entrance scholarship

　　Diploma entrance scholarship

　　Graduate program entrance scholarship

　　Each award has its own application criteria which should be understood before applying for an award or scholarship. The college is committed to ensuring that its awards and scholarships are fairly awarded and enhance the learning potential of students, regardless of their background or origin.