If you want to pursue your post-secondary education in Canada, Conestoga College in Ontario is definitely worth checking out. The school’s campuses has everything you need to get started on your undergraduate and postgraduate studies including state of the art labs and classrooms as well as residence halls.
You can choose from over 100 different programs that range from business to engineering and everything in between!
- About Conestoga College, Ontario, Canada
- Conestoga College Recent Updates & Developments
- Conestoga College Canada at a Glance
- College Campus
- Conestoga College Courses
- Admission Requirements
- Tuition
- Living Expenses
- Conestoga College Accommodation
- Conestoga College Student Financial Aids
- Conestoga College Placements
- Graduate Outcomes
- FAQs on Conestoga College, Ontario, Canada
- Learn More About Studying in Canada
About Conestoga College, Ontario, Canada
Conestoga college is one of the fastest-growing colleges in Ontario and a leader in polytechnic education in Canada. It was established in 1967, and it currently hosts 23,000+ students across its campuses and training centers in:
- Kitchener,
- Brantford,
- Waterloo,
- Stratford,
- Ingersoll,
- Cambridge, and
- Guelph.
The college has a reputation for delivering career-focused education, apprenticeship training, and applied research programs that build students for success in the economy. Its continuing education programs attract over 30,000 enrolments every year.
Conestoga college is a bedrock of the community. 65% of Conestoga graduates remain in the area after graduation, contributing over 2.3 billion yearly to the local economy. The college’s focus on technology-enhanced learning through mobile and online channels prepares students for excellence in the increasingly digital world.
Conestoga has an incredible international community, with more than 10,000 international students attending from 80 countries. The college is committed to students’ success, which is evident in the wide range of career advising services and students’ support throughout their studies.
Conestoga College Recent Updates & Developments
COVID-19 Update
With the current Covid-19 emergency ravaging the world and the college community, Conestoga college is focused on putting students’ and staff’s safety first. To ensure this, the college plans by working closely with the federal government, local government, and local public health authority.
This ensures that all students in Conestoga can continue their education without compromising on their health and safety.
In addition, the college has the COVID-19 readiness plan in place, so the provincial government has approved them to welcome international students to the university.
Recent Investment
Conestoga College has made a recent investment to buy a 250,000 square foot facility and 41 acres of land in Cambridge town for over CAD 33 million. The college plans to use this fantastic facility to combine its several professional trade schools into one comprehensive, ultra-modern training and learning facility.
The planning has commenced, and the facility is expected to be open to students by September 2021. Students learning trade and apprenticeship courses at the Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph campuses will come together in this new facility.
Overall, this new method will provide new excellent facilities, reduce duplication in program learning, and increase Conestoga’s trade students’ professional potential.
Conestoga College Canada at a Glance
No. of Campuses | 9 |
National Ranking | #12th out of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges. |
Popular Programs | Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, Healthcare |
International Students Admission Portal | https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply/international-applicants |
Canadian Students Admission Portal | https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply |
Application Fee | 100 CAD |
Admission Season | January, May, and September |
Acceptance Rate | 60-70% |
Tuition Fee | 6,900-33,630 CAD per year |
Total International Students | 9,000 |
Graduate Employment Rate | 85% (within six months of graduation). |
Employer Satisfaction Rate | 94.4% |
Popular Graduate Jobs | Business Analysts, Healthcare Professional, Marketing Specialists, IT experts. |
International Students Website | https://international.conestogac.on.ca/ |
College Campus
Conestoga College has nine campuses and training centers.
- The main campus is located in Doon Valley, Kitchener, Ontario. Students are provided accommodations at the main campus, and they teach most of the courses the institute offers.
- Brantford campus offers certificate, diploma, and graduate degree programs in liberal studies, business, community services, and trades. Conestoga college also administers specific trade certificates at the Brantford Municipal Airport.
- Ingersoll Training Center provides training programs in electrical utilities and other power-related programs and skilled trades programs.
- Stratford campus offers career-focused programs, academic upgrading, and continuing education opportunities. The campus also has a Career Centre that assists in job search, career advising, education, training, and job postings.
- The John W. Tibbits campus in Waterloo offers several programs related to information and communications technology, skilled trades, hospitality, culinary arts training, academic upgrading, English Language Studies, and career-focused programs. This campus has a special Masonry Center, HRAC Training Center, Roofing Skill Training Center, and a full-service restaurant.
Conestoga College Courses
Conestoga College offers over 200 career-focused programs and project-based courses.
Students can also d]select from the college’s 66+ Co-op courses. The programs are available as a range of degrees, diplomas, and certificate courses. A detailed list of the college’s popular courses are in the table below:
Popular Courses
Programs | Fees Per Annum(Canadian) | Fees Per Annum(International Students) |
Diploma in Business | $2469.53 | $7911.53 |
Diploma in Business Administration-Accounting | $4580.16 | $15634.16 |
Diploma in Business Administration-Marketing | $4057.16 | $15111.16 |
Graduate Certificate in Business Development and Sales | $2178.70 | $13745.70 |
Diploma in Biotechnology Technician | $3882.16 | $14936.16 |
Diploma in Graphic Design | $3882.16 | $15236.16 |
Information Technology Infrastructure | $3681.01 | $7679.95 |
Human Resources Management | $4157.53 | $8339.53 |
Bachelor of Computer Science | $8052.08 | $16595.76 |
B.Eng Mechanical System Engineering | $8542.92 | $16653.92 |
Bachelor of Design | $8214.66 | $16814.66 |
Diploma in Journalism | $3728.00 | $14782.00 |
B.Eng Electronic Systems Engineering | $8542.92 | $16653.92 |
Admission Requirements
To be accepted to a Conestoga College program, you have to meet the program’s admission requirements and provide English proficiency evidence.
Eligibility Requirement | Details |
Statement of purpose (SOP) | Between 500 to 1000 words |
Work Portfolio | Up to 10 a compilation of 10 works |
Recommendation Letters | 2 to 3 |
English Proficiency test scores | Take tests like IELTS; TOEFL; CanTest |
Personal Interview | 30 to 45 minutes skype interview |
Language Requirements for International Students
International students have to prove their English language proficiency by appearing in some entrance exams for studying in Canada. The minimum scores required for these exams are in the tables below:
For Degree Programs:
Tests | Minimum Score |
IELTS | 6.5, with no band below 6.0 |
TOEFL | 88- Internet-Based. No part should be less than 20. |
CAEL | 70, with a subset below 60 |
CanTEST | 4.5, with no component score less than 4.0 |
Conestoga English Language Test (CELT) Band 6 | Band 6 |
PTE | 58-60 |
For Diploma/Certificate Programs
Tests | Minimum Score |
IELTS | 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 |
TOEFL | 80 |
PTE | 53-57 |
For Graduate Programs
Tests | Minimum Score |
IELTS | 6.5 with no band below 6.0 |
TOEFL | 88 |
PTE | 58-60 |
RELATED -> Best IELTS Preparation Books
How to Apply
Steps:
- Visit the official college website, www.conestogac.on.ca, and select the program of your choice.
- Submit your application through ontariocolleges.ca
- Forward all your documents to ontariocolleges.ca.
Tuition
Programs | Domestic Candidates (in CAD) | International Candidates (in CAD) |
Diplomas (2-year program) | 2150- 7541 | 13997- 21491 |
Advanced Diplomas (3-year program) | 4358- 6375 | 13999 – 21491 |
Graduate Certificate (1-year and 2-year programs) | 3204- 20974 | 7481- 22585 |
Certificate Programs (8 weeks to 1 Year) | 1627- 17246 | 5497- 17732 |
Degrees (4-year program) | 8298- 10121 | 15727- 17156 |
Living Expenses
The overall living expenses in Conestoga college vary from student to student. However, making an approximation of the amount of money you might spend on housing, food, and other essentials will enable you to plan and generate enough funds to support yourself with the cost of living in Canada.
Items | Monthly Cost (CAD) |
Food | 150-300 |
Housing | 500+ |
Academic Materials | 500 per semester |
Transit | 80+ |
Personal Items | 100-200 |
Phone | 50-100 |
Conestoga College Accommodation
On-campus Accommodation
Conestoga College Residence is located close to the Kitchener (Doon) campus. This residence offers you all the standard home amenities, including:
- Kitchen with microwave
- Television with basic cable
- Fridge and freezer
- Telephone and WiFi access
The building offers secure access to living areas, 24-hour security, laundry facilities, and common study lounges. The residence is located within walking distance to the Cambridge and Doon campuses, and there’s a dedicated shuttle service to reach the campuses.
Off-Campus Accommodation
- The average rent for a decent residence off-campus is 500 to 600 CAD per month.
- The residence type includes shared apartments, studio apartments, three-bedroom apartments, and four-bedroom apartments.
- The apartments are usually well-furnished with a central air-conditioning facility and free Hi-speed WIFI.
- Student residences off-campus comprise individual thermostats, the secured entrance, and video surveillance.
Conestoga College Student Financial Aids
Scholarships and Awards
Conestoga College offers over 400 awards, scholarships, and bursaries worth more than $3.8 million and $1.3 million in donor-funded awards every year through the Student Financial Services. The college also reserves some scholarships for international students to study in Canada.
All international students are eligible for several entrance scholarships like :
- English for Academic Studies to Post-Secondary Studies Scholarship
- Entrance Excellence Scholarship
- 2nd Program Scholarship
- Continuing Canadian Education Scholarship
All International students are also eligible for these regional scholarships:
- Diploma entrance scholarship
- Degree entrance scholarship
- Graduate program entrance scholarship
Every scholarship award has its application requirement, which you have to understand and meet before applying for work-study for any of them. The awards directory below lists all the awards available to students at Conestoga through Student Financial Services.
Award | Value |
Arnold Rose Academic Grant | $500 |
Campus Living Centres Award | $500 |
Canadian Federation of University Women (Cambridge) Award | $1,000 |
Canadian Federation of University Women (Guelph) Bursary | $500 |
Carol Gregory Student Leadership Award | $250 |
Conestoga College Athletic Award | It varies |
Conestoga Co-op Student of the Year Award | $400 |
Conestoga Students Inc. Academic Excellence Award | $500 |
Conestoga Students Inc. Athletic Scholarship | $1,000 |
Conestoga Students Inc. Community Achievement Award | $2,500 |
Conestoga Students Inc. Student Service Award | $1,000 |
Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County Bursary | $600 |
First Generation Bursary | It varies |
Francis Pegahmagabow Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 |
G. Al Logan Memorial Award | $250 |
Gladys & Norman Raiter Bursary | $100 |
Indigenous Student Bursary | It varies |
J. David Stewart Memorial Award | $500 |
Jackie Mattson Memorial Award | It varies |
James W. Church Award | $1,000 |
Masonic Foundation of Ontario Endowed Bursary | It varies |
Metis Nation of Ontario Bursary | $500 |
Narhari Sharma Memorial Award | $1,000 |
Neil Aitchison Conestoga Students Inc. Scholarship | $3,000 |
Rick Casey Courage to Cope Award | $250 |
Ross and Doris Dixon Charitable Foundation Students with Disabilities Award | It varies |
Scotiabank Global Citizenship Award | $3,000 |
Tahani Aburaneh Premier’s Award | $1,000 |
The President’s Award of Excellence in Student Leadership | Non-monetary |
The Rebellion ‘Carve Your Path’ Award | $2800 |
Work-Integrated Learning Student of the Year Award | $500 |
RELATED -> Scholarships in Canada for International Students
Work-Study Program
Conestoga College offers a work-study program in Canada that allows its students to pay for their college education. Many international students benefit from this program, and it allows them to study in Canada with ease. Students who intend to utilize this program will have to show the Student Financial Services that they need financial aid.
Some of the work-study positions n funded by Conestoga college are:
- Bookstore – Sales/Operations Clerk.
- Accessibility Services – Peer Educator.
- Learning Commons – Peer Tutors, Marketing Intern, Office Technology Assistant, Math Mentors.
- IT Services – Software/Hardware Support, Help Desk, Lab Monitor.
- Student Engagement Department – Student Engagement, Student Life Centre Information Desk.
- Trades and Apprenticeship – Technicians.
- Promotions Assistant, Orientation Interns, Respect Leaders.
OSAP and Aid
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a combination of provincial and federal loans and grants that can help students in need of financial aid by meeting the costs of their post-secondary education.
The OSAP does not replace the basic financial resources you and your family contribute to your education costs. Instead, it supplements your resources. You’ll fill and submit an OSAP application form. Then the federal and provincial governments would assess it and determine if you need financial aid.
Conestoga College Placements
Conestoga is a career-focused school. There are a dedicated career service and employment portal for students that can help them land high-paying jobs in Canada.
Over 88% of the graduates get placement within six months of completing their graduation.
Graduate Outcomes
In terms of graduate employment success and employer satisfaction, Conestoga college is rated among the best. This feat is due to the college’s career-focused education and practical, hands-on training.
The college’s track record of success is undefeated, with over 90 percent employers satisfaction rate. The table below shows the performance of graduates of the institute according to the 2019-2020 annual report.
Factors | Conestoga (%) |
Employment Rate | 85.1 |
Employer Satisfaction | 87.5 |
Student Satisfaction | 74.1 |
Graduate Satisfaction | 81.7 |
Overall KPI | 82.1 |
Now let’s look at a salary comparison of some of the job profiles open to Conestoga college graduates.
Job Profiles | Annual Salary (CAD) |
Architects | 61,726 |
Civil Engineers | 63,743 |
Electrical & Electronic Technicians | 68,749 |
Lawyers | 73,305 |
Marketing Manager | 62,886 |
IT Manager | 85,075 |
Mechanical Engineers | 64,911 |
Surgeon | 207,318 |
FAQs on Conestoga College, Ontario, Canada
Learn More About Studying in Canada
Sure, you want your transition into your favorite Canadian College to be as seamless as possible. To get started, check our free student study in Canada guides that have helped hundreds of students.
SEE ALSO:
-> Vancouver Island University (VIU), Nanaimo, British Columbia (BC)
-> University Canada West (UCW), Vancouver, British Columbia (BC)
AUTHOR

Charee Oisamoje is the founder of CanadaWiz. She leads the editorial team, which is comprised of subject matter experts that aim to create well-researched, highly detailed content related to studying, working, immigrating, and settling/living in Canada as a newcomer.
Charee's personal experiences as a Canadian immigrant and her professional competencies make her uniquely qualified on the subject matter.
With extensive educational credentials, she is an expert at collecting details, verifying facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand. MBA in Finance
MScIB
CCEA (#CCG 271)
CPA Candidate ✔️CIP ✔️BSc Accounting
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