- Level
- 1-Year Post Secondary Certificate
- Duration
- 1 year college certificate including a field place
- Open intakes
-
Off-shoreJan 2027, May 2027, Sep 2027
- Field
- Health and Medical Sciences
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2027-01-01
Program overview
A one year college certificate in personal care, covering personal support skills, safety and infection control, cognitive and mental health support, and supervised clinical placement.
This carries IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in every band, the strictest English requirement in the entire Conestoga Waterloo catalogue, and it accepts neither PTE nor Duolingo.
College Certificate in Personal Support Worker, International is taught at Conestoga College, a public Ontario college on the post-secondary institution list. The personal support worker certificate sits below degree level, so its post-graduation work permit depends on appearing on the IRCC eligible field of study list. The personal support worker certificate falls inside an eligible sector, which is a good sign, but confirm its CIP code with Conestoga in writing before you pay. If eligible, the personal support worker certificate supports a work permit of up to one year. Ontario also requires a provincial attestation letter before the personal support worker certificate can support a study permit application.
Entry to College Certificate in Personal Support Worker, International is Grade 12 or equivalent at 50 percent or above. The English requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and tuition for the personal support worker certificate is recorded at CAD 14,588. Conestoga charges a CAD 100 application fee, and no scholarship is recorded against the personal support worker certificate. The personal support worker certificate lists seven entry windows, spanning September, January and May starts. Apply Study Visa manages your the personal support worker certificate application, the deposit, the offer, the attestation letter and the Canadian 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 at the percentage stated for this programme.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5; TOEFL iBT 80 with 20 in every section; PTE Academic 53 with no component below 10; or the Duolingo English Test at 110.
- Application and deposit: Conestoga charges a CAD 100 application fee. Confirm the tuition deposit and its refundability in writing before any money is transferred.
- Scholarship: No scholarship is recorded against this programme. Budget the full tuition.
- Additional requirement: PTE Academic and the Duolingo English Test are NOT accepted for this programme. A vulnerable sector police check, immunisation records and clinical placement clearance apply. Confirm Ontario PSW registry requirements before enrolling.
- Work rights: A post-graduation work permit of up to one year is possible if the CIP code for the personal support worker certificate is on the IRCC eligible field of study list. Confirm it in writing. No dependant work permit.
- 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: community care agencies
- Health Care Aide: hospitals and clinics
- Residential Care Aide: supported living settings
- Respite Worker: family support services
- Further Study: practical nursing pathways
Reality check: the English bar reflects patient safety in a hands on care role, so treat 7.0 in every band as non-negotiable rather than a target to approach.
About Conestoga College - Waterloo
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.7
- World rank
- #3421
- Established
- 1967
- Reference No.
- O19376158572
