- Level
- 1-Year Post Secondary Certificate
- CIP code
- 51.2602
- Duration
- 8 month college certificate (2 semesters)
- Open intakes
-
Off-shoreJan 2027, May 2027
- Field
- Nursing and Healthcare Management
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2027-01-01
Program overview
The personal support worker certificate is a two semester Ontario College Certificate covering personal care skills, safe mobility and transfers, dementia and palliative care, household support, documentation and clinical placements in long term care and the community.
This two semester certificate runs from Oshawa and follows the Ontario PSW programme standard used by long term care homes and home care agencies.
Durham College, a public Ontario college founded in 1967, delivers the personal support worker certificate at its main Oshawa campus, a site it shares with Ontario Tech University. Durham lists the personal support worker certificate on its PGWP list under CIP 51.2602, which meets the field of study rule for this credential. A programme under two years supports a permit matching its length, so the personal support worker certificate points to a work permit of about eight months unless you stack a second eligible programme. A provincial attestation letter from Ontario is needed before the personal support worker certificate can support a study permit application.
Applicants to the personal support worker certificate need Grade 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 50 percent. The English requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and first year tuition for the personal support worker certificate is recorded at CAD 15,489. Durham charges a CAD 100 application fee and issues the attestation letter once first semester fees for the personal support worker certificate are paid. In 2027 there are three international intakes for the personal support worker certificate including a May start, starting from January 2027. Apply Study Visa manages the application for the personal support worker certificate, the payment to Durham, the attestation letter and your study permit as one process.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: Grade 12 or equivalent from a recognised institution, at 50 percent or above.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5; TOEFL iBT 80 with no section below 20; or the Duolingo English Test at 105. PTE Academic is not listed for personal support worker, so confirm with Durham before booking it.
- Application and payment: Durham charges a non-refundable CAD 100 application fee. First semester fees must be paid before Durham releases the provincial attestation letter needed for the study permit.
- Scholarship: Durham’s global entrance scholarship credits CAD 2,000 to your student account when you accept the offer. It is confirmed for intakes up to January 2027, and Durham renews it each cycle, so check the terms for your intake.
- Additional requirement: A police record check with vulnerable sector screening, immunisations, mask fit testing and CPR are required before placement.
- Work rights: Durham lists this programme under CIP 51.2602, supporting a permit of about eight months. You can stack a second eligible programme of at least eight months, finished within two years, to extend the permit. A PGWP also requires a language test at CLB 5 in all four abilities for college credentials, taken within two years of applying. This is separate from the English test you need for admission. No open work permit for a spouse or partner, since IRCC now limits those to master, doctoral and select professional programmes.
- Study permit: Apply Study Visa prepares the attestation letter request, the financial evidence and the Canadian study permit submission with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Personal Support Worker: long term care homes
- Home Care Worker: home care agencies
- Health Care Aide: hospitals
- Retirement Home Aide: retirement residences
- Respite Worker: community services
- Practical Nurse: after the PSW-PN bridge
Reality check: PSW jobs are plentiful in Durham Region, but the short certificate supports only a short work permit.
About Durham College
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.6
- Established
- 1967
- Reference No.
- O19361081012
