Updates to the International Student Program

Updated on: December 12, 2024 at 4:05 p.m.

Planning your education as an international student involves many important decisions. If you are interested in working in Canada after completing your studies, you will want to consider a program that is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

A PGWP is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and may allow you to work in Canada after completing your studies. IRCC determines PGWP eligibility.

IRCC has published new PGWP eligibility requirements for students who apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024.

On November 8, 2024, IRCC also announced a new process for post-secondary study permit holders who wish to change from one designated learning institution (DLI) to another. They have recently updated the information for students accepted to a new DLI for the Winter or Spring 2025 Semester. If eligibility criteria are met and you are transferring to DC from another institution, you can start studying at DC while your study permit extension is being processed. 

Based on the information currently available, Durham College has created a list of our programs that should align with the new PGWP guidelines.

This list is undergoing review and will be updated with additional programs and guidance, so please check back often.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions to help explain the changes.

The following is a list, which is still under review, of the PGWP-eligible programs available at Durham College:

Please note that Canadian immigration laws and additional reforms to the International Student Program are subject to change. Please review the official IRCC website for the most up-to-date information.

OCAS Program CIP Code Credential Start date
AAGR Horticulture - Food and FarmingAAGR 01.0308 Ontario College Diploma September
ADMH Addictions and Mental HealthADMH 51.1501 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September, January
ADMM Advertising – Digital Media ManagementADMM 52.1404 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September
AIDI Artificial Intelligence Analysis, Design and ImplementationAIDI 11.0102 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September, January
ATBS Autism and Behavioral ScienceATBS 42.2814 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September, January
BDCT Carpentry - Building Construction TechnicianBDCT 46.0415 Ontario College Diploma September
BITY Biotechnology - AdvancedBITY 41.0101 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September
BSOM Business Administration – Supply Chain and Operations ManagementBSOM 52.0203 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September, January
BTYF Biotechnology - Advanced (Compressed fast track)BTYF 41.0101 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September
CBIO Clinical BioinformaticsCBIO 26.1103 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September
CDA Communicative Disorders Assistant CDA 51.0201 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September
CFND Computer FoundationsCFND 11.0101 Ontario College Certificate September, January
CLCP Cloud ComputingCLCP 11.0902 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September, May
CPGA Computer Programming and AnalysisCPGA 11.0201 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September, January, May
CPPG Computer ProgrammingCPPG 11.0201 Ontario College Diploma September, January, May
CSTC Computer Systems TechnicianCSTC 11.1001 Ontario College Diploma September, January, May
CSTU Computer Systems Technician - UOIT TransferCSTU 11.1001 Ontario College Diploma September, January
CSTY Computer Systems TechnologyCSTY 15.1202 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September, January, May
CYSC CybersecurityCYSC 11.1003 Ontario College graduate certificate September, January
ECE Early Childhood EducationECE 19.0711 Ontario College Diploma September, January
EHSM Environment Health and Safety ManagementEHSM 51.2202 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September
ELEC Electrical TechniquesELEC 46.0302 Ontario College Certificate September, January
FIT Fitness and Health PromotionFIT 31.0501 Ontario College Diploma September, January, May
GDES Graphic DesignGDES 50.0409 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September
GFIT Gas Technician 2GFIT 47.0201 Ontario College Certificate September
HBAI Honours Bachelor of Artificial IntelligenceHBAI 11.0102 Bachelor's Degree (Honours) September
HORT Horticulture TechnicianHORT 01.0601 Ontario College Diploma September
HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning TechniquesHVAC 47.0201 Ontario College Certificate September
IMDE Interactive Media DesignIMDE 09.0702 Ontario College Diploma September, January
IMWD InteMed Des - Web DevelopmentIMWD 11.0801 Ontario College Diploma September
MAST Massage TherapyMAST 51.3501 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September
MFUN Film and Motion Design – Media FundamentalsMFUN 09.0702 Ontario College Certificate September
MPLU Mechanical Techniques - PlumbingMPLU 46.0503 Ontario College Certificate September, January
MTED Mechanical Technician - Elevating DevicesMTED 46.9999 Ontario College Diploma September
MTMW Mechanical Technician - MillwrightMTMW 47.0303 Ontario College Diploma September
OTPA Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist AssistantOTPA 51.0817 Ontario College Diploma September
PHSC Pre-Health Science - CollegePHSC 51.1199 Ontario College Certificate September, January
PHSU Pre-Health Science - UniversityPHSU 51.1199 Ontario College Certificate September, January
PNII Practical NursingPNII 51.3901 Ontario College Diploma September, January, May
PSWK Personal Support WorkerPSWK 51.2602 Ontario College Certificate September, January, May
RENO Carpentry and Renovation TechnicianRENO 46.0201 Ontario College Diploma September
RETH Recreation TherapyRETH 51.2309 Ontario College Diploma September
SCMG Supply Chain Management - GlobalSCMG 52.0203 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September, January
SCMX Supply Chain Mgmt - Can ContxtSCMX 52.0203 Ontario College Graduate Certificate May
SCOP Business - Supply Chain and OperationsSCOP 52.0203 Ontario College Diploma September, January
SCTU Business - Supply Chain and Operations - UOIT TransferSCTU 52.0203 Ontario College Diploma September, January
SSWK Social Service WorkerSSWK 44.0000 Ontario College Diploma September, January
WETN Welding Engineering TechnicianWETN 48.0508 Ontario College Diploma September