Admission Requirements
and Q&A

Columbia International College accepts students into Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. (In Canada, high school begins at Grade 9.) 

We offer four intakes throughout the year, providing flexibility for students from various academic calendars. 

August, October, January, and May Intakes 

• Designed to accommodate different school systems worldwide 

• Support students who wish to progress faster 

• Students can earn up to 10 credits per year, allowing for a faster path to graduation 

• When you apply to Columbia International College, we carefully review your academic transcripts from your home country and assess equivalent credits based on your previous studies. 

• Your length of study at CIC depends on two main factors: 

• The number of credits you still need to complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 

• Your Math and English placement test results, which determine your starting level 

• For detailed information on credit recognition, please refer to our conversion chart

All new students take English & Math (and possibly Science) placement assessments during Orientation/Registration. Based on these results, students are placed in the appropriate classes best suited for their success. Students with valid IELTS or TOEFL results are exempt from the English assessment. 

All awards and scholarships are provided by Columbia International College. To qualify, all credits must be completed within 12 consecutive months. Scholarship details and https://cisef.ca/ 

Yes, Columbia International College offers several types of scholarships: 

• Entrance Scholarships – based on a student’s academic performance (merit) at the time of application. 

• Subject Awards & Graduation Scholarships  – awarded to top-performing students in specific subjects and at graduation. 

To qualify, all required credits must be completed within 12 consecutive months. For full details and eligibility criteria, please contact our Admissions Office:  admissions@cic-totalcare.com 

Sibling/Family Discount 

• At Columbia International College, we believe in the power of family support. Our Sibling-Bond Discount Program encourages siblings to study together and support one another throughout their educational journey. It also makes it easier for parents to care for their children in one location. 

• Sibling Discount 

• 25% tuition discount for the second child when both siblings are enrolled at CIC simultaneously. 

• Family Discount 

• 10% tuition discount for the second sibling if the first sibling has already graduated from CIC. 

Canadian Student Discount 

• 25% tuition discount for students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. 

These discounts cannot be combined. 

CIC has established strong partnerships with many of Canada’s top universities, including the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and the University of Waterloo. CIC is proudly recognized by the University of Toronto as a “Global Partner School,” and more CIC graduates are admitted to the University of Toronto than from any other secondary school worldwide. 

Our partner universities and colleges offer exclusive admission advantages to CIC graduates, such as: 

• Reserved admission seats 

• IELTS/TOEFL exemptions based on CIC English course results 

• Designated scholarship opportunities 

• Guaranteed admissions 

CIC’s experienced Guidance & University Placement team provides full support—from course selection to university applications—ensuring students gain admission to their dream schools. 

Over the years, CIC graduates have been accepted to top universities around the world, including in Canada, the U.S., UK, and Australia—proving the strength of our university pathway programs. 

Read more about our students’ university achievements

Yes, you need a study permit to study in Canada if your program is longer than six months and you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You may be exempt if your course is short-term or if you fall under special categories (e.g., certain minors, foreign representatives, or military personnel). For full details, visit the IRCC website on study permits: Study permit – Canada.ca 

You must prove you have sufficient funds to cover the first year of study, including tuition, travel costs, and a minimum of CAD 20,635 for living expenses for a single student. For full details, visit the IRCC proof of financial support page: Study permit: Get the right documents – Proof of financial support – Canada.ca 

Columbia International College offers international students and parents multiple convenient payment options including CIBC International Student Pay, Convera, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Money Order, and Bank Wire. Please visit the Fee Summary page for details.