Most colleges and technical institutes offer diplomas and certificates rather than degrees. The emphasis at career colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of programmes . They specialise in such areas as business, computers and secretarial skills. Although privately owned, these institutes are provincially approved and regulated, ensuring that programme standard and quality are maintained. The academic year usually starts in September and ends in May, and is normally divided into two semesters.
Many institutes offer a limited number of courses and special programmes during the summer session.
A certificate is a qualification awarded upon successful completion of a programme usually one year in length, and is offered at colleges. The qualification awarded on the basis of one or two year's successful study is a diploma , and is offered at colleges. Master's programmes generally require two years and usually require a combination of course work and thesis. A doctorate or Ph.D . is a degree ranking above a master's degree, and generally requires four to seven years to complete full time. A combination of course work, original research, and a thesis is required.