- Level
- 1-Year Post Secondary Certificate
- CIP code
- 11.0101
- Duration
- 8 month college certificate (2 semesters)
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreJan 2027
- Field
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2027-01-01
Program overview
The computer foundations certificate is a two semester Ontario College Certificate covering programming logic, computer hardware, operating systems, networking basics, mathematics for computing and communication.
This two semester certificate prepares you for Durham’s computer programming and computer systems diplomas. It is a pathway, so plan the follow on diploma and a second permit from the start.
The computer foundations certificate is taught at Durham College’s Oshawa campus on Simcoe Street North, which it shares with Ontario Tech University, at a public Ontario college founded in 1967. Durham lists the computer foundations certificate on its PGWP list under CIP 11.0101, which meets the field of study rule for this credential. A programme under two years supports a permit matching its length, so the computer foundations certificate points to a work permit of about eight months unless you stack a second eligible programme. Ontario also requires a provincial attestation letter before the computer foundations certificate can support a study permit.
Entry to the computer foundations certificate needs Grade 12 or equivalent at 50 percent or above. The English requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and first year tuition for the computer foundations 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 computer foundations certificate are paid. The computer foundations certificate has two 2027 intakes for international students, the earliest in January 2027. Apply Study Visa handles the application for the computer foundations certificate, the first semester payment, 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 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 4 overall with no section below 4 on the new scale for tests taken from 21 January 2026; PTE Academic 53 with no section below 49; CAEL 60 with no section below 60; or the Duolingo English Test at 105.
- 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: Grade 12 English and Grade 12 mathematics are expected, and some streams list physics, chemistry or biology as required or recommended.
- Work rights: Durham lists this programme under CIP 11.0101, 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:
- IT Support Assistant: help desks
- Computer Technician Assistant: repair shops
- Data Entry Specialist: offices
- Technical Support Agent: call centres
- Programming Diploma Student: next step
- Systems Technician: after a diploma
Reality check: It is a pathway, so plan the follow on diploma and a second permit from the start.
About Durham College
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.6
- Established
- 1967
- Reference No.
- O19361081012
