- Level
- 2-Year UG Diploma
- CIP code
- 51.3901
- Duration
- 75 week weekend college diploma (5 semesters)
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreMay 2027
- Field
- Nursing and Healthcare Management
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2027-05-01
Program overview
The weekend practical nursing diploma is a weekend Ontario College Diploma of five consecutive semesters covering nursing theory, pharmacology, health assessment and clinical practice taught on Friday evenings and weekends with six hours of online work each week.
The weekend stream runs five consecutive semesters over about 75 weeks, so the likely PGWP is about as long as the programme, not three years.
Durham College, a public Ontario college founded in 1967, delivers the weekend practical nursing diploma at its main Oshawa campus, a site it shares with Ontario Tech University. Durham lists the weekend practical nursing diploma on its PGWP list under CIP 51.3901. At about 75 weeks, the weekend practical nursing diploma is shorter than two years, so the likely permit is about seventeen months rather than three years. A provincial attestation letter from Ontario is needed before the weekend practical nursing diploma can support a study permit application.
Applicants to the weekend practical nursing diploma need Grade 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 60 percent. The English requirement is IELTS 7.0 with no band below 6.5, and first year tuition for the weekend practical nursing diploma is recorded at CAD 16,571. Durham charges a CAD 100 application fee and issues the attestation letter once first semester fees for the weekend practical nursing diploma are paid. In 2027 there are two international intakes for the weekend practical nursing diploma including a May start, starting from May 2027. Apply Study Visa manages the application for the weekend practical nursing diploma, 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 60 percent or above.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5; or TOEFL iBT 94 with no section below 23, or 5 overall with no section below 5 on the new scale for tests taken from 21 January 2026. Durham does not accept PTE Academic, CAEL or Duolingo for this programme.
- 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, with a further CAD 1,000 in year two for programmes of two years or more. 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. 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 51.3901. At about 75 weeks it supports a permit of roughly the same length, not three years. 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
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- 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:
- Registered Practical Nurse: after registration
- Long Term Care Nurse: residential care
- Hospital Nurse: acute care
- Community Nurse: home care
- Clinic Nurse: physician practices
- Registered Nurse: after further study
Reality check: Weekend delivery is intense, with twelve hour weekend days, so it suits disciplined learners.
About Durham College
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.6
- Established
- 1967
- Reference No.
- O19361081012
