Conestoga College

About Conestoga College

• Conestoga College is a publicly funded polytechnic college in Ontario, with multiple campuses across the Waterloo-region and surrounding cities.

• As a polytechnic institution, it emphasises career-focused programs, applied learning, co-ops/work placements and industry relevance.

• According to their overview: “More than 300 full-time, career-focused programs … including more than 20+ degree programs”.

• The college reports over 165,000 of its alumni live and work in Ontario, contributing significantly to the provincial economy.

Why choose Conestoga College?

Here are some of the key advantages for international students:

• Strong employment outcomes – On the international-student page they list “87% of graduates employed within six months of program completion”.

• Large program selection – With over 300 programs across certificates, diplomas, degrees and post-graduate, you’ll have many choices.

• Co-op/Work-integrated learning opportunities – Many programs include optional or mandatory work placements, giving you practical experience and an edge in the job market.

• International student supports – They provide resources for visas, housing, orientation and adjustment to Canada.

• Polytechnic model – If you’re seeking hands-on learning and a direct path into industry rather than purely academic/university research, this model is well suited.

Ranking / Reputation

• Conestoga is regarded among the stronger Ontario colleges for graduate employment outcomes and employer satisfaction.

• According to a profile, the college “now offers 23-25 degree programs … co-op terms in 70+ programs” and recently expanded campuses and residence offerings.

• Important caveat: While colleges in Ontario do not have the same global ranking frameworks as universities, you should check program accreditation, fit, and how employers view the credential in your home country or globally.

• Also: There's a recent major drop in international student enrolment at Conestoga. In 2025, the number of first-year international students dropped by ~59% compared to the prior year. This may affect class sizes, support services or program availability so it’s important to investigate for the program you are interested in.

Campus Locations

Conestoga has multiple locations across the Waterloo region (Ontario). Key points:

• The main campuses are in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Brantford.

• Many programs and residences are located within walking or transit distance in these urban centres. For example: “As of fall 2024, first-year students in Waterloo and Brantford are guaranteed college-run housing.”

• For international students, location specifics matter for housing, commute, cost of living, and access to co-op employers — check the particular program’s campus location.

Types of Courses (Study Levels)

• Certificates: Shorter programs (often 1 year) aimed at entry-level or skill upgrades.

• Diplomas / Advanced Diplomas: 2-3 year programs covering a field in more depth.

• Bachelor’s Degrees: Conestoga offers “more than 25 degrees” including honours and professional applied degrees.

• Graduate/Post-graduate Certificates: For students who already hold credentials and want specialist skills.

• Continuing Education / Micro-Credentials: They also offer courses and micro-credentials for skill development and flexible learning.

Mode of Learning (On-site, E-learning, Blended)

• Most full-time programs are on-campus (in-person) with labs, workshops and classroom time, especially given the applied nature of the college.

• For continuing education, the college clearly states delivery options: in-person, online asynchronous, online synchronous, and hybrid.

• For international full-time students, always check the program’s “delivery mode” for a given term (some modules may be moved online in response to external factors).

• Because co-op and practical labs are a major component, being on-site is usually beneficial.

Number of Programs Offered

• On the international student page: “Offers more than 250 certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate programs” for international students.

• On the full-time programs page: “More than 300 career-focused programs … including more than 25 degrees.”

• Therefore, expect ~250-300 full-time program options open to international students at any given time (varies by intake and program availability).

• Use their “Full-time programs” list and check for whether international seats are available.

Highlights & Strengths

• Strong applied-learning model with labs, workshops, co-op placements — this gives “learning by doing” advantage.

• Large selection of programs across many fields: business, IT, engineering, health sciences, trades, design, media. (For example, in the computer science/IT area they list a wide range of specialisations )

• Good residence and housing support: e.g., guarantee for first-year students at certain campuses as of 2024.

• International student support services: pre-arrival help, housing guidance, study permit advice

Practical Advice for International Students

• Before applying, use the Program Finder on the college website to check:

  • If the program you want accepts international students this intake.

  • Whether there are seats still available for international applicants.

• Check the English-language proficiency requirements for your level of study:

  • For diploma/certificate: IELTS 6.0 (no band <5.5) or TOEFL 80 (no skill <20) effective Jan 2024.

  • For degree/graduate certificate: IELTS 6.5 (no band <6.0) or TOEFL 88 (no skill <22) from Jan 2024.

• Understand the costs: tuition + living expenses (housing, transport, food) in the Waterloo/Kitchener area. Housing is decent but costs rise in urban areas.

• Co-op/work-placement opportunities are a major plus — check if your program includes or offers them as “optional” or “mandatory”.

• Residence/housing: If you’re a first-year student, check if you qualify for guaranteed housing (Waterloo/Brantford have guaranteed housing for first-years as of fall 2024)

• Apply early: Popular intakes fill up, and with international seats being more constrained now, earlier application increases your chance.

• Stay updated: Because of recent shifts (drop in international enrolments, policy changes), regularly check the college’s website and contact the International Admissions office.

Scholarship

Conestoga College offers several scholarships and awards specifically designed for international students. These awards generally fall into two categories: entrance scholarships for newly admitted students and in-program awards for students who are already enrolled. Most scholarships are merit-based, although some also consider community involvement or prior academic performance.

Entrance Scholarships

1. Entrance Excellence Scholarship
   This scholarship is aimed at newly admitted full-time international students who have achieved a high level of academic performance in their previous studies. The award amount is approximately CAD $1,500 per intake. To be eligible, you must have accepted your offer of admission and paid your deposit or required fees by the deadlines outlined in your acceptance letter. Maintaining full-time enrollment in an eligible program is mandatory.

2. English for Academic Studies → Post-Secondary Studies Scholarship
   If you complete Conestoga’s Level 4 English Language Studies program (“General Arts & Science: English Language Studies”) and continue into a diploma, degree, or graduate certificate program, you may be eligible for this CAD $1,500 scholarship. Full-time enrollment is required, and eligibility is determined by your academic performance in Level 4 of the program.

3. Second Program Scholarship
   This scholarship is for students who have already graduated from a Conestoga diploma, degree, or graduate certificate program and are applying to a second program within four months of completing their first program. The scholarship amount is CAD $1,500, and eligibility is based on your prior GPA. Note that certificate “C” programs are not eligible for this award.

4. Regional Entrance Scholarships
   These scholarships are available to new international students starting in Fall, Winter, or Spring terms. Degree program students can receive CAD $3,000, while diploma or graduate program students are typically awarded CAD $1,500. Eligibility is based on your past academic performance, and you must be enrolled full-time in an eligible program.

In-Program Awards

Once enrolled, international students can apply for various General Awards and Scholarships offered through Conestoga College’s Awards & Scholarships portal. These awards vary in value and may require students to submit essays, references, or demonstrate leadership or community involvement.

Eligibility requirements for in-program awards typically include:

• Full-time enrollment in a Conestoga College program (part-time students are generally not eligible).

• Meeting GPA thresholds as outlined for each award.

• Submitting the online General Awards Application (GAA) during the application period.

• Maintaining good academic standing in your program.

• Note: Students in co-op or Career Management (GCM) terms are generally not eligible to apply in that term.

• Some awards require proof of financial need. International students must typically provide evidence of their study permit funds, but may not be eligible for all need-based awards because they must already demonstrate sufficient funds to study in Canada.

Key Tips for International Students

• Aim for strong academic performance before admission to maximize your chances for merit-based entrance scholarships.

• Ensure that you meet full-time enrollment requirements and pay deposits/fees promptly.

• Keep track of deadlines for all awards and applications. Late submissions are generally not accepted.

• For in-program awards, actively participate in campus life and community service, as leadership and involvement can strengthen your application.

• Remember that most awards reduce tuition fees but do not cover full costs. Budget for living expenses, travel, and other costs.

• If you plan to enroll in a second program at Conestoga, check eligibility for the Second Program Scholarship.

Important Updates

• International tuition fees are subject to change for each academic year, so check the latest fee schedule for your intended intake.

• Major entrance scholarships (like the Entrance Excellence Scholarship and Regional Entrance Scholarships) are still active for 2025 and are awarded based on academic performance.

• English proficiency requirements must be met: for degree programs, IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) or TOEFL 88 (no skill less than 22); for diploma or certificate programs, IELTS 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) or TOEFL 80 (no skill less than 20).