Applying to Nova Scotia Career Colleges

There are almost as many career college programs in Nova Scotia as there are student interests. This variety of options means a variety of application requirements, since career colleges are generally private, independent institutions. Some have limited-enrolment programs with competitive admission, while others offer open admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, minimum entrance requirements can vary greatly depending on the school and the program. Admission requirements for Nova Scotia career colleges typically include a Grade 12 Secondary School Diploma or its equivalent. Some vocational programs have additional course pre-requisites, and others may require a lower grade of educational completion (Grade 8 or 10, for example). Other potential requirements include reference letters, current résumé, criminal record check, CPR certification, health and immunization record, proof of English proficiency, personal essay or letter of intent. You may be asked to participate in an interview or meet with an admissions counsellor, and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may be recognized by some schools. At some career colleges, an aptitude test or questionnaire may be requested, and media schools or programs may request an audition or demo. Because the programs are so different--from truck driving to hair styling, hydraulics to hydrotherapy--program duration and start dates also vary. Some Nova Scotia career colleges offer continuous enrolment with programs starting every month, week or even every day; others operate on a more traditional semester system with a fall and/ or winter intake. Many career colleges therefore have no cut-off dates for admission and instead process applications all year round. Others have specific deadlines after which applications are no longer considered. Nova Scotia career colleges with internal scholarships and bursaries may encourage early application in order to qualify for these awards. The career college applications themselves generally consist of a downloaded form or a form completed and submitted electronically on the school's website. Some schools may specify that local students use a printed application while regional and national students use the online form. The application also usually includes a non-refundable application fee of anywhere between $25-$100, as specified by the institution. School transcripts can be asked for in two ways: you may be asked for official transcripts from your high school to be sent directly to the college, or you may simply be allowed to provide a photocopy. All students considering applying to a Nova Scotia career college should check out the specific school website, or contact the school's Admissions or Registrar's Office, for all the details on application and admission.

To learn more about specific Career Colleges or Career College programs, search Campus Starter’s comprehensive database of Career Colleges.