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Ministry-approved title: Business – Finance
This joint Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech) diploma-to-degree program provides the opportunity to earn both a college diploma and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in just four years. Combining the strengths of college and university education, the program builds a solid foundation in finance, business, and professional practice through both applied and academic learning.
Students develop knowledge in financial planning, investments, life and health insurance, and current business and technology trends while strengthening analytical thinking and business decision-making skills. Practical, career-focused learning and real-world applications help prepare graduates to meet the evolving needs of Canada’s financial services industry.
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This joint Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech) pathway is designed for students who intend to pursue Ontario Tech’s Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree, with a focus on Finance. The curriculum embeds the required bridging courses for degree admission, allowing qualified students to progress toward third-year entry at Ontario Tech.
To be eligible for progression, students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in each semester of DC courses and no grade below C in Ontario Tech courses. Ontario Tech course requirements are subject to change, and academic planning support is provided throughout the program. Admission into the degree stream is also subject to Ontario Tech approval and competitive academic standing.
Students are registered at both DC and Ontario Tech and are expected to meet the academic requirements and schedules of both institutions. As each institution operates with different academic calendars and learning systems, students are responsible for managing requirements across both environments.
Multiple academic pathways are available. Students may continue in the university transfer stream, including five embedded university credits, or transition into the college-only Finance – Business diploma after completing the first or second year. Transfer opportunities into other DC business programs may also be available following the first semester.
For more information, please visit the Finance – Business – Transfer to Ontario Tech University Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Frequently Asked Questions.
Please note: Students will apply to the Finance – Business transfer program at Ontario Colleges using the FNTU application code. Upon meeting the selection criteria, students may be eligible to complete the Bachelor of Commerce degree at Ontario Tech.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
Students can also earn the following globally recognized certificates by taking Microsoft Office Specialist exams as part of their computer courses:
Students who successfully pass all three exams can earn an extra certificate that recognizes their accomplishment with the Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Office 365 and Office 2019) certificate. DC students are provided access to Microsoft Office 365 through the college’s Microsoft Office account. See more details about this opportunity.
Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation. As one of the only colleges in Ontario with this offering, DC is proud to provide students with access to local businesses at a regional level.
The Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade include:
Membership benefits:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Students will also be required to pay an additional tuition fee to Ontario Tech for two courses in Semester 2, two courses in Semester 3, and one course in Semester 4. Ontario Tech tuition will be charged at the beginning of each semester, starting in Semester 2. The Ontario Tech tuition will be in addition to the figures shown below.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) or the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance major) if they meet the Ontario Tech requirements. This can lead to an opportunity to pursue the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) Global Education Inc. exam, the professional designation of Chartered Financial Analysts, and a successful career in the financial service industry.
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
*Mac Computers
John-Paul Mann is an experienced finance educator, program coordinator, and leader with more than 25 years of experience in financial services and post-secondary education. He teaches across the Finance – Business diploma and advanced diploma programs, delivering engaging, student-centred learning experiences that emphasize real-world application, storytelling, and hands-on skill development in a project-driven classroom. Prior to academia, John-Paul held progressive leadership roles at BMO Bank of Montreal, where he built high-performing teams, led large-scale change initiatives, and consistently exceeded performance targets across lending, investment, and insurance. He holds an MBA in Financial Services from Dalhousie University along with industry accreditations, including FICB and LLQP, and is passionate about preparing students for successful careers in the financial services industry.
Dr. Brad Niblett is an experienced finance educator, entrepreneur, and investor with over 25 years of market and executive experience and a strong commitment to project-based learning. He teaches across the Finance – Business diploma and advanced diploma programs, combining investment theory with applied computational work in a project-first classroom where students develop and test real financial models. Dr. Niblett holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh Business School), where his research focused on dynamic capabilities and strategic alliance portfolios. His current research interests sit at the intersection of fintech, post-quantum cryptography, and the future of secure digital finance, with particular attention to implications for Canada’s financial systems and investment landscape.
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