Studying in Hamilton
Before You Arrive
Welcome to Hamilton!
We are pleased that you have chosen to study here, and we have prepared a list of resources to get you started. It is important to take time to find the correct information and connect with the correct organizations to help make your transition to Hamilton as seamless as possible.
Checklist to get you started
- Passport - ensure that your passport will remain valid at least six months beyond the duration of your travels.
- Student Visa - confirm that your student visa will allow you to stay in the country for the full length of your study.
- Finances - Check with your banking institution to confirm that you will have access to your funds while travelling. Before you depart, make a list of expenses including everything from accommodation costs to daily food and entertainment. This will help you determine how much you will need for the duration of your study abroad.
- International Scholarships - Find out if you’re eligible to receive scholarships or additional funding for your studies. Check your academic institution’s website to see if you qualify.
- Travel Insurance - get coverage in case of medical or other emergency.
- Medical - Visit the doctor before you leave for a full medical check-up, and make sure you have gotten all the vaccinations required in your country of study.
The City of Hamilton welcomes students from all over the world. Hamilton offers a wide choice of secondary and post-secondary study options and excellent opportunities for study and to live and work after graduation.
An overseas education includes more than just study. Studying in Hamilton as an international student, offers exposure to a diversity of people and ideas. You will be living, traveling, interacting, and even working in a new environment. You will be able to enjoy other cultures and to develop a whole range of new practical skills.
Many of Hamilton’s education institutions have an international student office to help students transition and adjust to living in Hamilton and help build connections within the community.
The Hamilton community has access to these four school boards:
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board teaches approximately 50,000 students in its 114 neighbourhood schools. In addition to the programming offered at 96 elementary and 18 secondary schools, a number of alternative programs focusing on sports, academics, science, arts and languages are available .www.hwdsb.on.ca
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board serves more than 29,000 elementary and secondary students at 55 schools, and another 10,000 individuals through four St. Charles adult and continuing education centres. www.hwcdsb.ca
Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
French-language Catholic school board in the Centre-South serves over 15,500 Students in 45 elementary and 10 secondary schools in an area extending from the Niagara Peninsula to Peterborough and from Lake Ontario (Toronto) to Georgian Bay. Its head office is located in Toronto and the board operates three schools in Hamilton. www.csdccs.edu.on.ca
Conseil scolaire Viamonde
Conseil scolaire Viamonde manages the French-language public schools in the central south-western region of Ontario. French language public school board operates two schools in Hamilton. www.csviamonde.ca
French immersion education is an option for parents who speak no or limited French, but wish for their children to speak both official languages. French immersion programs are offered in English-language schools to English-speaking students who want to learn French as a second language.
The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board and Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board offer French Immersion programs:
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
HWDSB offers two FSL programs - Core French and French Immersion. Each of the programs differs in intensity but share a common purpose: To develop student’s communication skills in the French language.
The programs teach students to listen, speak, read, and write in French through real-world language opportunities. French as a Second Language also promotes the use of language learning strategies, goal setting/reflection and an appreciation of French culture in Canada and in other regions of the world. www.hwdsb.on.ca/elementary/programs/french-as-a-second-language
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
The French Immersion Program begins in Year 2 of the Kindergarten Program. Kindergarten students enrolled in French immersion receive a minimum of 50% instruction in French daily. Students enrolled in the French Immersion Program in Grades 1 through 8 receive 50% of daily instruction in French and 50% of daily instruction in English.
Hamilton is home to a number of outstanding post-secondary institutions that have been recognized internationally for their research and instructional strength as well as providing local area businesses with a well-educated workforce.
McMaster University
At McMaster University, 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students are engaged in learning and research with a focus on community engagement and involvement. The University’s 7,500 faculty and staff work with partners across the city to integrate the work of the University with the needs of the city. www.mcmaster.ca
Mohawk College
Mohawk College educates more than 17,000 full-time and apprenticeship students at three campuses in Hamilton. Recognized as a leader in health and technology education, Mohawk has achieved the highest student satisfaction scores among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for four consecutive years. www.mohawkcollege.ca
Redeemer University College
Redeemer University College offers Bachelor of Arts, Science, and Education degrees with majors in more than 30 disciplines. As a Christian university, Redeemer offers its more than 900 students the chance to explore the relationship between faith and learning through a Christian perspective.www.redeemer.ca
McMaster Divinity College
The institution's mission is to develop effective evangelical Christian leaders for the church, academy, and society through university-level education, professional training, and ongoing support. www.mcmasterdivinity.ca
McMaster Divinity College admits students to these programs of study:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (Christian Theology),
- Master of Arts (M.A.) (Christian Studies),
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.),
- Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.),
- Graduate Diploma in Ministry, and Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies.
Brock University
Brock University opened a satellite Teachers College in Hamilton. The on-campus Faculty of Education encompasses a pre-service department, graduate studies in education and continuing education.www.brocku.ca
Collège Boréal
Collège Boréal is one of Ontario’s 24 community colleges and is the only French-language college in Southwestern Ontario. Collège Boréal in Hamilton offers continuing education, employability services, immigrant integration services and related services for local businesses and communities.www.borealc.on.ca
In addition, there are many post-secondary institutions within a one-hour drive of Hamilton, including the University of Toronto (three campuses), University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Guelph, Brock University, Sheridan College, Niagara College and Conestoga College.
Hamilton Literacy Council
A non-profit organization that provides basic (grade 1 to 5 equivalent) training in reading, writing, and math to English-speaking adults in Hamilton. The service is free, private, and one-to-one. Hamilton Literacy Council has been assisting adults with their literacy skills since 1973.www.hamiltonreads.ca
Hamilton is also served by a number of private career colleges including:
There are 29 private schools within Hamilton, Ancaster, Millgrove, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Mount Hope, Lynden, and Copetown:
| School Name | Location | School level | School type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronston Canadian Academy | 1 Hunter Street #G100 Hamilton, Ontario L8M 3N1 Phone: 289-776-6950 www.bronston.ca |
Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum international internet/ site based |
| Calvin Christian School | 547 West 5th Street Hamilton, Ontario L9C 3P7 Phone: 905-388-2645 www.ccshamilton.ca |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Christadelphian Heritage College | 522 Book Road East Ancaster, Ontario L9G 3L1 Phone: 905-304-1626 |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Colin MacDonald Alternative School | 1570 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1E8 Phone: 905-525-6336 www.colinmacdonald.ca |
Elementary | montessori |
| Columbia International College of Canada | 1003 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4P3 Phone: 905-572-7883 www.cic-totalcare.com |
Elementary Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Covenant Christian School | 497 Millgrove Sideroad Millgrove, Ontario L0R 1V0 Phone: 905-689-3191 |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Dundas Valley Montessori School | 14 Kemp Drive Dundas, Ontario L9H 2M9 Phone: 905-627-1073 www.dvms.ca |
Elementary | montessori |
| Grandview Adventist Academy | 3975 Highway 6 Mount Hope, Ontario L0R 1W0 Phone: 905-679-4492 www.grandviewschool.net |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Guido de Bres Christian High School | 420 Crerar Drive Hamilton, Ontario L9A 5K3 Phone: 905-574-4011 www.guidodebres.org |
Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts | 108 Park Street Dundas, Ontario L9H 1X4 Phone: 289-238-9855 www.haofpa.com |
Elementary Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Hamilton District Christian Private School | 92 Glancaster Road Ancaster, Ontario L9G 3K9 Phone: 905-648-6655 www.hdch.org |
Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Hamilton Hebrew Academy | 60 Dow Avenue Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1W4 Phone: 905-528-0330 www.hamiltonhebrewacademy.ca |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Hamilton Hebrew High | 125 Cline Avenue South Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1X2 Phone: 905-528-0039 www.hhhmidrasha.ca |
Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Hillfield Strathallan College | 299 Fennell Avenue West Hamilton, Ontario L9C 1G3 Phone: 905-389-1367 www.hsc.on.ca |
Elementary Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Islamic School of Hamilton | 1545 Stone Church Road East Hamilton, Ontario L8W 3P8 Phone: 905-383-7786 www.ishcanada.com |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| John Knox Memorial Christian School | 795 Highway 8 Stoney Creek, Ontario L8E 5J3 Phone: 905-643-2460 www.nace.ca |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Kehila Jewish Community Day School | 215 Cline Avenue North Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4A1 Phone: 905-529-7725 |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Lee Academy Private Elementary School | 1978 2nd Concession West Lynden, Ontario L0R 1T0 Phone: 519-647-9772 www.leeacademy.com |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Living Hope Christian School | 908 Main Street East Hamilton, Ontario L8M 1M5 Phone: 905-667-1197 www.findhope.tv/school |
Elementary Secondary |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Metropolitan College | 146 James Street South Hamilton, Ontario L8P 3A2 Phone: 905-529-5000 www.metropolitancollege.com |
Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum international internet/site based learning centre |
| New Horizons Education Centre | 86 Homewood Avenue Hamilton, Ontario L8P 2M4 Phone: 905-525-1234 www.newhorizonseducation.ca |
Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
Programs/special need students |
| Providence Christian School | 542 Ofield Road North Dundas, Ontario L9H 5E2 Phone: 905-627-1411 www.providencecs.ca |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
| Rehoboth Christian School | P.O. Box 70 198 Inksetter Road Copetown, Ontario L0R 1J0 Phone: 905-627-5977 www.rehoboth.on.ca |
Elementary Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Southern Ontario College | 28 Rebecca Street Hamilton, Ontario L8R 1B4 Phone: 905-546-1500 www.mysoc.ca |
Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
international |
| Strata Montessori Adolescent School | 14 Kemp Drive, #2 Dundas, Ontario L9H 2M9 Phone: 905-627-1073 www.stratamontessori.com |
Elementary Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
academic broad based curriculum |
| Summit College - Hamilton East | 247 Centennial Parkway North, #15 Hamilton, Ontario L8E 2X3 Phone: 905-561-7417 www.summitcollege.ca |
Secondary | programs/ special need students academic broad based curriculum, learning centre vocational/technical |
| Tapply Binet College | 245 Garner Road West Ancaster, Ontario L9G 3K9 Phone: 905-648-2737 www.tapplybinetcollege.com |
Secondary Offers credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
|
| Timothy Canadian Reformed School | 430 East 25th Street Hamilton, Ontario L8V 3B4 Phone: 905-385-3953 www.timothyschool.org |
Elementary | academic broad based curriculum |
Each college and university sets its own admission standards. The standards can change from year to year. Please check the school’s website for the most current information.
Application deadlines for universities depend on the program and the school. Deadlines can start as early as September one year ahead of your program start. Applications for Colleges typically require you to apply before February 1 for enrollment the following September.
Study Permit
If you have been accepted into a college or university, you need to apply for a study permit if you plan on staying more than six months. You can apply for a permit at the Canadian Visa office in your country.
You can apply online for a study permit at www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp
To view a list of International Visa Offices, visit www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/offices/international-visa-offices.html
Each academic institution has its own language proficiency requirements. Academic institutions will accept test results from certified language tests that measure your skills in reading, writing, understanding, and speaking in English. Accepted tests include:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- The Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment
For more information on the Language Proficiency requirements for Hamilton’s postsecondary institutions, visit:
Date modified
September 16, 2022