Canada is not only known as a popular place for international students to study abroad but also for its world-class healthcare system. Many international students choose to study in Canada specifically to take advantage of impressive healthcare industry and learn from top industry professionals.

Whether you're interested in studying practical nursing, pharmacy, public health, or mental health support, there is a healthcare course in Canada tailored to your goals.

Below, you'll find the most popular healthcare programs and how Passage can help you finance.

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* 2025-26 posted rates; verify at application.

† PGWP duration equals program length (max 3 years for programs ≥ 2 years).

Why choose Canada for healthcare studies?

The Canadian healthcare system is one of the most respected globally, and healthcare professionals trained in Canada are highly valued both domestically and abroad. International students benefit from Canada's emphasis on hands-on education, inclusive health sciences curricula, and clear post-graduation pathways to employment or permanent residency.

Students who graduate from a well-respected Canadian school are given the problem-solving techniques and decision-making skills needed to be effective and responsible healthcare professionals.

With a Passage loan, international students can show IRCC-accepted proof of funds—a critical part of the study permit process. Check your eligibility here.

Program types & credentials (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate, etc.)

Students can choose from a wide variety of Canadian healthcare programs that differ in length and difficulty. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right path based on your education level and career goals.

• Diploma: Typically requires 1 to 2 years of full-time study. Diplomas are great for entry-level careers in fields like practical nursing or medical office administration.

• Advanced Diploma: Requires typically 2 to 3 years of full-time study and offers deeper training and more hands-on experience than regular diplomas. These programs are common in Ontario colleges for fields like dental hygiene and health sciences.

• Graduate Certificate: These require a shorter study time (often 8 months to 1 year) and build on a prior degree. Graduate certificates are ideal for healthcare professionals looking to specialize in one area (e.g., healthcare administration or mental health support).

To determine which program type is best for you, consider your past educational experience, what degrees or diplomas you may already have, how long you are willing to study abroad, and what your future career goals are.

Understanding your goals as a future healthcare professional will help you choose the best program for you. Each credential opens different doors in the healthcare industry, depending on whether you want to work in clinical care, health systems, or community services.

Top healthcare program spotlight

There are many popular healthcare programs in Canada that students can finance through Passage. These are in high demand because they offer students join Canadian workforce with ease because of job market demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

All tuition fees are estimates and can be subject to change. You can discover more healthcare courses on our platform.

1/ Practical Nursing — George Brown College, Toronto (2 years, ≈ C$36 000)

Ontario’s health-system expansion and aging population are creating sustained demand for nursing professionals; vacancies remain high across acute-care and long-term-care employers. George Brown’s 24,000 sq ft simulation centre and GTA clinical network offer hands-on training that consistently beats provincial exam pass averages.

Toronto location boosts earning potential (upper wage band ≥ C$35 / hr) and provides a direct bridge pathway to BScN for graduates aiming to upskill.

Meets the College of Nurses of Ontario entry-to-practice standard; graduates sit the CPRNE within weeks of finishing.

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2/ Autism & Behavioural Science — George Brown College, Toronto (1-year, ≈ C$18,850 total)

Demand for Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) practitioners keeps climbing as autism diagnoses rise; BCBA job growth projected +22 % (2016-26). Toronto location offers abundant placement sites and post-grad employment with school boards, private clinics and community agencies. One-year format lets degree/diploma holders pivot quickly into a regulated, high-impact field and qualify for a post-grad work permit.

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3/ Community Mental Health — Multidiscipline, Niagara College (1 year, ≈ C$19 000)

Builds advanced counselling & crisis-intervention skills for those with college diploma or university degree in Nursing. Job outlook: good for social & community service workers; wages ≈ C$19–38/hr.

4/ Health Care Aide — Bow Valley College, Calgary (1 year, ≈ C$20 264)

Alberta expects a good outlook for nurse aides. Due to aging-population demand is rising. Typical wage band: C$19–24/hr.

Passage tip – Combine this certificate with a 1-year Alberta LPN bridging diploma to qualify for a 3-year PGWP.

5/ Palliative Care — Multidiscipline, Niagara College (1 year, ≈ C$19 786)

Designed for nurses & allied-health grads seeking specialised end-of-life expertise. RN/RPN labour market in Ontario remains “very good” through 2026.

Key features: 240-hr hospice practicum · holistic symptom-management modules · grads work in hospices, home-care agencies, oncology units.

Passage can cover full tuition; typical repayment ≈ C$418/mo (tuition-only scenario, 48-month tenure).

6/ Community Pharmacy Assistant — Niagara College (1 year, ≈ C$18 312)

Simulated retail pharmacy along with concurrent field placement. Job outlook: good; median wage ≈ C$19.6/hr in Ontario; demand tied to expanded pharmacist scope of practice.

Graduate roles: pharmacy assistant, inventory coordinator, vaccination clinic aide.

7/ Gerontology — Niagara College (1 year, ≈ C$19 822)

Equips students with college diploma or university degree in Nursing for leadership roles in seniors’ care. Canada’s population with 85+ age will triple by 2050, fuelling sustained demand. Ontario RN gerontology outlook: very good. Courses cover dementia, advanced communication, policy advocacy; 200-hr practicum in LTC & community settings.

All of these are full-time programs offered by public Canadian colleges, making them eligible for PGWP and Passage financing. To determine your eligibility for financing with Passage, check our loan eligibility tool.

Admission & study-permit essentials

To be accepted into a healthcare program in Canada, international students will have to meet the admission requirements for their program. These vary from school to school and program to program, but there are a few general requirements that are common across the board.

• Previous Academic transcripts (high school diploma or postsecondary degree): All of the schools will see your previous academic transcripts to confirm your current level of education. Some higher-level programs may require certain grades or the completion of a bachelor's degree to be accepted into the program.

• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL): Some of healthcare programs in Canada are regulated. In order for students to be able to participate in the classroom, complete the necessary homework, and do well on exams, they will need to have a high-level understanding of English. Each school has its own requirements for English proficiency, and they may use different tests to confirm the English proficiency of each student. A score of 6.5 on the IELTS exam is commonly accepted as a standard passing rate.

• Letter of intent or Statement of Purpose (SOP): Many Canadian schools require students to write an essay saying why they want to attend the school. This letter should be formal but also heartfelt. It's a way for students to show that they are serious about their studies and have a plan for pursuing a healthcare career after graduation.

• Proof of Funds: To be accepted for a permit to study in Canada, you will be asked by the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) to show proof that you have the necessary funds to live and study in Canada. The IRCC sets a minimum amount of money you will need, depending on how many dependent family members you have, to immigrate to Canada.

Passage loans are considered "proof of funds" that students can use to apply for a study permit. Some students use the Passage loan and GIC combination after receiving their letter of acceptance to apply for a study permit and begin studying in Canada. Use the loan calculator to see how Passage finanicng works.

How to finance your tuition for healthcare programs

For international students looking to study in Canada, there are a few different ways that they can finance their education. One of the most common ways that international student finance their studies is through private loans, but it's important to understand other options as well.

Scholarships and bursaries

Many Canadian colleges offer needs-based bursaries and entrance scholarships for international students. These can reduce tuition but are limited and competitive. Students can apply for a bursary or entrance scholarship directly from their school. Be sure to check for deadlines early, as some schools require early and fast applications.

Government loans

Federal and provincial government loans are rarely available to international students unless you are a permanent resident or refugee. The Canadian government partners with some countries to provide government support to specific students. These programs are very competitive and only apply to specific programs. You can talk to your school about any government programs that may apply to you, or check out the three most common programs below:

1. Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP)

Partner regions: Latin America and the Caribbean

Level: Undergraduate and graduate students

Purpose: Short-term exchange (4–6 months) at a Canadian postsecondary institution

Funding: CAD $7,200–$9,7003.

2. Canada–ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

Partner regions: ASEAN member countries

Level: College, undergraduate, and graduate

Purpose: Short-term exchange at Canadian institutions

Funding: CAD $10,200–$12,700‍

3. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Partner countries: Global

Level: Doctoral (PhD)

Purpose: Attract top-tier PhD candidates in STEM, social sciences, and health research

Funding: CAD $50,000 per year for 3 years

Passage education loan (co-signer not mandatory)

Passage offers education financing designed specifically for international students. With Passage, you can:

• Check your loan eligibility in minutes.
• Receive funding for both tuition and living expenses.
• Receive monthly disbursements of loan money timed to your academic schedule, making it easier to budget your money.
• Use your loan approval letter as IRCC-accepted proof of funds to file for a Canadian study permit.
• Study permit filing with a licensed immigration lawyer (cost varies).

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Passage simplifies one of the most challenging parts of studying abroad, financing, to support international students looking to study in Canada. You can learn more about Passage student loans by using the loan eligibility tool to see what loan you qualify for.

Step-by-step funding timeline

Here's a simple step-by-step breakdown of how you can receive funding to study in a healthcare program in Canada.

1. Choose your program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
2. Apply for loan and admission through Passage to receive your Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
3. Get your financing approved
4. Use your Passage Pass to apply for a Canadian study permit
5. Receive monthly disbursements after you arrive in Canada if your loan covers living costs

Estimate your financing in here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Passage finance living expenses as well as tuition?

Yes! If approved, Passage will disburse your loan in monthly instalments to cover living costs such as housing, food, and other costs.

Is a healthcare diploma eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

The programs approved by Passage for financing are eligible for PGWP. You can get the full list from the Government of Canada offical website.

Do I need a co-signer for a Passage loan?

Co-signer is not mandatory to get approved for Passage loan. However, having a co-signer improves the chances of getting approved.

Which healthcare fields are in high demand in Canada?

There are a wide number of healthcare programs that are in high demand in Canada, including practical nursing, personal support worker, occupational therapist assistant, physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, kinesiology, health informatics, and pharmacy technician.

Check your eligibility in 2 minutes to get started.