Written by Chet Raj Bhandari

About Durham College

Every fall, a wave of Nepali students lands in Oshawa, about an hour east of Toronto, and finds their way to Durham College (official site) – a public college chartered in 1967 that has grown from a single vocational school into one of Ontario’s larger career-focused colleges, spread across its Oshawa and Whitby campuses.

What draws international students in particular is Durham’s hands-on reputation – diploma and degree programs in business, health sciences, IT and skilled trades built around co-op placements and a direct line into the local job market, rather than purely academic study. For a Nepali student comparing Ontario colleges, Durham is a practical middle option: real work experience built into the program, on a mid-sized campus that’s easier to navigate than a big-city university.

Durham College Campuses

Durham College runs two campuses in Durham Region, both actively recruiting international students:

S.No	Campus Name	City	Province	Country
1.	Oshawa Campus	Oshawa	Ontario	Canada
2.	Whitby Campus	Whitby	Ontario	Canada

Number Of Courses And Course Level Offered By Durham College

Durham College offers programs across several levels – from certificates and diplomas through to advanced diplomas, graduate certificates and applied bachelor’s degrees. Check the official program listing for the current, full catalogue.

S.NO	PROGRAM LEVEL
1	Diploma
2	Post Graduate (Graduate Certificate)
3	Advanced Diploma
4	Certificate
5	Bachelors
6	Fast-Track

Campus Life

International students studying at Durham College can enjoy access to the following facilities on campus:

On-campus student residences at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses
Bookstore
Parking
Food services and meal plans
Athletics & Wellness Centre
Lockers

Notable Alumni

Some of the notable and popular alumni of Durham College are:

Sherwood Bassin – College professor
Brandon Nolan – Retired hockey player
Sheldon McIntosh – Drag Queen
Paul Vessey – COO of Visa USA
Fred Upshaw – President of OPSEU

Durham College Fees

You can find semester-wise tuition fee/tuition fee per annum for UG, PG, Diploma, and MBA courses here:

UG Tuition Fee	PG Tuition Fee	Diploma Tuition Fee	MBA Tuition Fee
CAD $18450	CAD $19500	CAD $15000	CAD $21000

Library

The Durham College Library operates on both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. Research help is available through the library’s Ask Us service, by phone at 905-721-3082 (Oshawa) or 905-721-2000 ext. 4218 (Whitby), or by email at library@durhamcollege.ca, alongside subject-specific research guides.

Career Support, Co-op and Part-Time Work

Durham College’s Career Development (Hired) portal runs one-on-one career coaching, job-search workshops and an online job board open to current students. Many business, IT and engineering technology programs also build a paid co-op work term directly into the curriculum, giving students real Canadian work experience before graduation. The Career Development Office can be reached at 905-721-3034.

International students on a valid study permit can generally work part-time off campus while classes are in session and full-time during scheduled breaks, under the same federal rules that apply across Canadian DLIs – Durham’s International Education office can confirm current hour limits and help match part-time roles to the local Oshawa/Whitby job market.

Top Companies Recruiting Durham College Students

Durham College’s Career Development team maintains employer relationships across Durham Region and the wider Greater Toronto Area, spanning automotive and advanced manufacturing (Oshawa is home to a major General Motors of Canada assembly plant), healthcare, IT and financial services. Current job postings and employer partners are listed through the Hired portal, and the Career Development Office can help tailor a job search to your program.

More Details About Durham College For Nepalese Students

Durham College is located in Oshawa, with a second campus in Whitby.
It has a strong visa success rate among Ontario colleges.
They accept backlogs for international students on a case-by-case basis.

Upcoming Intakes For Durham College

Durham College admits students three times a year – January, May and September – with the September intake carrying the widest range of open programs across the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. Because seats in popular business, health and IT programs can fill before the official deadline, it’s worth applying well ahead of your intended start date rather than waiting for the cut-off.

Top Courses

Top Degrees

Diploma
Post Graduate
Advanced Diploma
Certificate
Bachelors
Fast-Track

Eligibility Criteria

BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAM – ELIGIBILITY
Minimum 60% in 10th & 12th.	Minimum 5.5 IELTS reading score, 5.5 IELTS Writing score, Minimum 5.5 Listening score, Minimum 5.5 Speaking score. Overall 6.0 IELTS band score.	SOP, LOR, Transcript, Resume, Official score reporting, WES.

POST-SECONDARY DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM – ELIGIBILITY
Minimum 60% in 10th & 12th. Minimum 55% in diploma & Bachelor’s courses.	Minimum 6.0 IELTS reading score, 6.0 IELTS Writing score, Minimum 6.0 Listening score, Minimum 6.0 Speaking score. Overall 6.5 IELTS band score.	SOP, LOR, Transcript, Resume, Official score reporting, WES.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM – ELIGIBILITY
Minimum 60% in 10th & 12th.	Minimum 5.5 IELTS reading score, 5.5 IELTS Writing score, Minimum 5.5 Listening score, Minimum 5.5 Speaking score. Overall 6.0 IELTS band score.	SOP, LOR, Transcript, Resume, Official score reporting, WES.

Important Details About Durham College For Nepalese Students:

PG Work permit	Yes
Part-time jobs	Yes
Internship	Yes
Scholarship	Yes
Research	Yes
Credit transfer	Yes
Co Ops	Yes
Option for PR	Yes

Contact Information Of Durham College For International Students

Phone Number

905-721-2000

Website:

https://www.durhamcollege.ca/

Location (Oshawa Campus):

Address:

2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada – L1G 0C5

International Entrance Exams – Scores Required For Admission:

Program Level	IELTS	PTE	TOEFL	DUOLINGO
Post Graduate	6.5 not less than 6.0	60 no module less than 57	88 no module less than 22	–
Fast-Track	6.5 not less than 6.0	60 no module less than 57	88 no module less than 22	–
Diploma	6.0 not less than 5.5	53 no module less than 49	80 no module less than 20	105
Advanced Diploma	6.0 not less than 5.5	53 no module less than 49	80 no module less than 20	105
Bachelor Degree	6.5 not less than 6.0	60 no module less than 57	88 no module less than 22	–
Certificate	6.0 not less than 5.5	53 no module less than 49	80 no module less than 20	–

Admission Requirements For Durham College

Documents Required

Completed application form
Official transcripts & certificates (Grade 10, Grade 12, and diploma/bachelor’s if applicable)
Passport copy (photo and validity pages)
Official IELTS/TOEFL/PTE score report
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letter(s) of Recommendation
Proof of funds / bank statement

For the full, current checklist and formatting requirements, see Goreto’s study-abroad resources page.

Deadline For Admissions

Durham College reviews international applications on a rolling basis, so there’s no single fixed cut-off – but popular business, health and IT programs can fill before the official deadline. As a general rule, apply 6–9 months ahead of your intended intake (January, May or September) to leave enough time for a decision, a study permit application, and travel planning.

Program Details

Health, Wellness and Sciences

Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant

Durham College

Prog Code:

OTPA

Duration:

2 years

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

Two-year diploma preparing students to support physiotherapists and occupational therapists with hands-on rehabilitation techniques, part of Durham's Health Sciences programs.

Health, Wellness and Sciences

Personal Support Worker

Durham College

Prog Code:

OTPA

Duration:

1 year

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

One-year Ontario College Certificate preparing students to provide direct care to clients in long-term care, community and home-care settings across Durham Region.

Health, Wellness and Sciences

Biotechnology Advanced

Durham College

Prog Code:

BTYF

Duration:

1 year

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.5

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

Fees given in canadian dollars.

Computer & Information Technology

Computer Systems Technology

Durham College

Prog Code:

CSTY

Duration:

3 year

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

Fees given in canadian dollars.

Trade and Technology

Electromechanical Engineering Technology

Durham College

Prog Code:

ELMT

Duration:

3 year

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

Three-year advanced diploma combining electrical, mechanical and automation skills for careers in Ontario's manufacturing and automotive sectors.

Accommodation For Nepalese Students Studying At Durham College

On – Campus Accommodation

Durham College operates on-campus residences at both its Oshawa and Whitby campuses, offering traditional and suite-style rooms a short walk from classes. Applications and current rates are available through Housing and Residence Services, and spots for new students are limited, so it’s worth applying as early as possible after receiving an offer.

Off – Campus Accommodation

For students who prefer off-campus living, Durham College’s International Education office can point students toward vetted off-campus listings and homestay options around Oshawa and Whitby. New students are encouraged to arrange a short-term stay for their first few weeks before committing to a longer-term rental.