Tip Sheets

College, Technical Institute, University - What's the Difference?

Wondering how a private college differs from a university or a public college or how a public college differs from a technical institute? Here's an overview of the post-secondary education system in Alberta.

Public Colleges

	Alberta has 15 publicly funded, board-governed colleges. They may offer academic upgrading, continuing education, job readiness, apprenticeship and one-year certificate programs as well as two-year diploma and university transfer programs. Some offer applied degree programs. Some also offer undergraduate academic degree programs comparable to those offered by universities.
	Public colleges tend to have smaller classes than universities and offer students a close-knit learning environment.
	Those colleges that offer university transfer programs provide students the option of beginning university studies at an institution closer to their homes.

Technical Institutes

	Technical Institutes offer one-year certificate, two-year diploma, applied degree, apprenticeship and continuing education programs.
	Technical institutes respond to labour market needs and offer programs tailored to workplace requirements.

Universities

	Alberta has three campus-based universities and one distance-learning university.
	Universities offer a wide range of degree, graduate, and doctoral programs, and in some cases, certificate and diploma programs as well.

	The technical institutes offer applied degree programs. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) also offers a degree program.
	The private colleges with degree granting status offer degree programs.
	Some public colleges provide applied degree programs.
	There are nine non-resident institutions with approval to offer degree programs in Alberta.

University populations in Alberta may range from 5,000 to over 30,000 students attending on institution.

Private Colleges with Degree Granting Status

Alberta has seven private colleges that grant bachelor's degrees approved by the Campus Alberta Quality Council. For a list of the accredited degree programs, visit www.caqc.gov.ab.ca

Private Colleges and Institutions

	Alberta has numerous other private colleges. Some are affiliated with post-secondary institutions in Alberta, colleges in the United States, Canadian or American Bible college/theological schools or associations. These private colleges offer post-secondary programs in areas of study such as divinity.
	Currently, there are also approximately 150 private institutions in Alberta offering licensed vocational programs under the Private Vocational Schools Act. For a listing of licensed programs:

call the Private Institutions Branch, Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, at 780-427-5609

visit your nearest Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre.

	Licensed programs offered by private institutions respond to current labour market demand. These programs prepare students for employment in a wide variety of occupations.
	Program-specific job placement data is available at the institution that offers the program.

The Banff Centre

The Banff Centre is a publicly funded institution that provides advanced continuing education opportunities in fine arts, management studies, language training and environmental training for people who already have academic credentials or professional experience in their discipline.

Other Relevant Tips Choosing a Post-Secondary Program Getting “What You Want, When You Want It” Takes Time and Planning For more, visit the TIPS home page at www.alis.gov.ab.ca/tips

Additional Reading Adult Back to School Planner, Education and Training Planner and Time to Choose…a post-secondary education produced by Alberta Employment and Immigration. For copies of these publications:

		download an online copy or order the publication from the Publications website at alis.alberta.ca/careershop
		call the Alberta Career Information Hotline at 1-800-661-3753 toll-free or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton
		visit your local Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre. To find the centre nearest you, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline.

Last Updated: June 16, 2006