Adult and Continuing Education Programs (Opportunity for High School Credits)
For those who were unable to finish secondary education (high school), London offers an alternative program where adult students can complete class credits towards their high school diploma at G. A. Wheable Centre for Adult Education. These courses are offered both in-person and online, depending on course requirements and method of instruction. For example, the hair styling or art course likely would be completed onsite, while a math course may be completed online. Secondary school courses in Ontario are typically completed in one semester (taking four classes about an hour a day each), for approximately four months. However, courses can be accelerated when taking only one course at a time.
The TVDSB Adult and Continuing Education Program also serves as a similar gateway to learning. This institution can assists you to upgrade your literacy, numeracy and basic computer skills, as well as enroll in English as a Second Language classes, high school credit courses through Adult Day School, and self-study credit courses.
The St. Patrick Adult and Continuing Education Centre by the Catholic School Board offers literacy and basic skills training to help learners prepare for employment, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, post-secondary education and greater independence.
Post-Secondary / Higher Education
London is a great place for learning at the post-secondary level, with a fast-growing population of international students.
Western University
Western University is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities. Western University consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the country, and in the top 250 universities in the world. Western’s commitment to diversity encourages international students from over 129 countries. As of 2023, more than 4,700 of Western’s nearly 35,000 full-time students are international students. The university is renowned for its research efforts and publications, more than 60% of which involve international collaborators.
Western University has three affiliate university-colleges, Brescia, King’s, and Huron, which each offer unique higher education programs and a more intimate atmosphere with fewer students. Many students at each of those colleges also take classes at Western’s large main campus - all easily accessed by the university’s on-campus buses, as well as public transportation.
The Ivey Business School at Western University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs with a strong global focus.
Western also offers its own International and Exchange Student Centre, as well as a English Language Centre (WELC).
Brescia University College (a Western University Affiliate)
Brescia University College, Canada’s only women’s university, educates women to think critically and participate actively in society. Brescia offers undergraduate degree programs in the Arts, Social Sciences, and Management and Organizational Studies, and undergraduate and master’s degree programs in Food and Nutrition.
Huron University College (a Western University Affiliate)
Huron University College, the founding college of Western University, opened its doors in 1863, making it one of the oldest universities in Canada. Originally founded as an Anglican theological college, Huron now offers programs in Liberal Arts, Management and Organizational Studies, Social Sciences, and Theology.
King’s University College (a Western University Affiliate)
King’s University College is a Catholic, liberal arts college that provides undergraduate degree programs in the Arts, Management and Organizational Studies, and the Social Sciences as well as undergraduate and master’s programs in Social Work.
Fanshawe College
Fanshawe is a comprehensive college serving the greater London region by providing flexible learning arrangements and experiential education opportunities developed in response to labour market needs. As one of Ontario’s largest colleges with four campuses in London, Simcoe, St. Thomas and Woodstock, Fanshawe serves close to half a million people with a promise to educate, engage, empower and excite.
Fanshawe offers more than 200 degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs to 43,000 students each year, including over 7,500 international students from more than 100 countries around the world. It offers high quality education in a variety of disciplines including applied arts, business, health care, human services, hospitality and technology.
Fanshawe also offers its own English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program, International Arrival and Orientation Service, Occupation-specific Language training and other programs for newcomers.
Collège Boréal
Collège Boréal is a French-language postsecondary institution, Collège offers continuing education, employment assistance, immigrant integration and other social programs in French.
Private Career Colleges
Visit Information London to find out more about private career colleges.
Post-Graduate Work Permit
After graduating from a full-time, college or university-level program of at least eight months’ duration in a recognized learning institution in Canada, you may become eligible to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). This permit allows graduates to look for employment and to gain invaluable Canadian work experience. This experience can be used to apply for permanent resident status.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced new ways for eligible international student graduates to apply for permanent resident status in Canada: