A post graduate diploma in project management in Canada is designed to help you polish your skills and competencies and gain some professional insights. Project management PG diploma courses in Canada are a step higher than an undergraduate degree and equal to a graduate degree. However, a master's degree is more advanced than a project management diploma in Canada and also includes a dissertation.
Let's say a PG diploma in project management in Canada is ideal if you want to advance your career, build a stronger portfolio and get acquainted with the industry standards, tools and techniques. We have prepared a guide to help you with information regarding PG diploma in project management in Canada, program structure, scope, best universities, admission requirements, program costs and a lot more.
Why Study PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada?
If you are thinking of reasons why a project management post graduate diploma in Canada could be ideal for you, take a look at the points below:
- Great future opportunities: The Project Management Institute (PMI) has predicted that nearly 8,500 jobs will be created every year for project managers in Canada until 2027. This clearly indicates that the job openings and thus demand for project managers in Canada is all set to rise.
- Prepares you for certification exams: After completing project management PG diploma in Canada, you will be well-prepared to sit for certification exams administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management–Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).
- Boosts career: A post graduate diploma in project management in Canada is a great way to boost your career especially because of its practical orientation. You will be eligible to find part-time jobs in this field even while studying.
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PG Diploma in Program Management: Program Structure
Let us discuss the program duration, curriculum and alternatives for project management diploma in Canada:
- Program Duration: Post graduate diploma in project management in Canada can be completed within 1 year. Some universities may offer 2 years PG diploma in project management in Canada. For instance, the University of Ottawa offers a 2 years PG diploma in project management in Canada that can be studied on a part-time basis only known as the graduate diploma in complex project leadership that can be completed within a maximum period of 3 years.
- Program Curriculum: The 1 year project management courses in Canada cover fundamentals of project management, scope and quality management, planning and scheduling, communication, procurement, cost management, risk management, project leadership, project modeling, etc.
- Program Alternatives: If you are looking for 2 years project management courses in Canada, Masters in Project Management is the right option for you.
PG Diploma in Project Management vs Masters in Project Management
Let us see a comparison between PG Diploma in Project Management and Masters in Project Management in Canada:
Basis of Comparison |
PG Diploma in Project Management |
Masters in Project Management |
Level of Study |
Graduate |
Graduate |
Program Duration |
1 year |
2 years |
Program Fees |
17,000-24,000 CAD |
18,000-40,000 CAD |
Top Universities |
Vancouver Island University, University of Winnipeg, Centennial College, Douglas College, Humber College |
University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, Northeastern University, University of New Brunswick, Seneca College |
Career Pathways |
Project manager, assistant project manager, project coordinator, event coordinator, associate project assistant, office administrator, logistics coordinator, assistant operations manager, support officer, risk analyst |
Project manager, project coordinator, project analyst, project control manager, project portfolio manager, project management officer, operations manager |
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Wondering what are the best colleges for project management in Canada? We shall discuss the top 5 universities for Project Management in Canada in the next section:
Top 5 Universities for Project Management in Canada
Here is a list of the 5 best colleges for project management in Canada:
- Vancouver Island University
- Douglas College
- University of Winnipeg
- Centennial College
- Humber College
We shall take a look at the details of each of the top 5 project management universities in Canada:
1. Vancouver Island University
The Graduate Diploma in Project Management at Vancouver Island University is a 1-year, integrated, cohort based program. The industrial and infrastructural growth in Vancouver Island has led to a rise in demand for project managers in the region. This program can also lead you to Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) designations.
Institution Type |
Public |
Program Offered |
Graduate Diploma in Project Management (1 year) |
Annual Program Tuition Fees |
23,142.80 CAD |
Scholarships |
Lieutenant Governor’s Medal Program |
2. Douglas College
Douglas College happens to be one of the largest public colleges in British Columbia. It offers a 1 year project management courses in Canada that aims to take your management skills to the next level. The program will help you gain skills and knowledge important for Project Management Professional (PMP) certification which is known to boost your earnings by 20%.
Institution Type |
Public |
Program Offered |
Post Degree Diploma in Project Management (1 year) |
Annual Program Tuition Fees |
18,360 CAD |
Scholarships |
Dr. Guangwei Ouyang International Education Entrance Scholarship (2,500 CAD) |
3. University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg offers a project management diploma that aligns with the knowledge required for industry-recognized certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). It is a hybrid program wherein 5 out of 27 courses are delivered online.
Institution Type |
Public |
Program Offered |
Diploma in Project Management (1 year) |
Annual Program Tuition Fees |
19,415 CAD |
Scholarships |
Professional, Applied and Continuing Education (PACE) Staff Scholarship (400 CAD) |
4. Centennial College
Centennial College provides a graduate certificate in project management which is ideally designed for individuals with experience as project managers and wish to boost their employability. The program includes an additional semester where eligible candidates participate in a 14-week experiential learning opportunity.
Institution Type |
Public |
Program Offered |
Graduate Certificate in Project Management (1 year) |
Annual Program Tuition Fees |
22,135 CAD |
Scholarships |
Somerville Merchandising Project Management Scholarship (1,000 CAD) |
5. Humber College
Founded in 1967, Humber College is a public College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto, Ontario. It provides an Ontario Graduate Certificate program in Project Management the curriculum of which is aligned with the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
Institution Type |
Public |
Program Offered |
Graduate Certificate in Project Management (1 year) |
Annual Program Tuition Fees |
17,608 CAD |
Scholarships |
International Graduate Scholarships (2,000 CAD off tuition fees) |
Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements for PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada
The eligibility criteria and admission requirements for pg diploma in project management in Canada may vary from university to university. Here we have discussed the general requirements that you will need to fulfill to get into your choice of institution:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Work experience
- Canadian study permit
Take a look at the admission requirements for PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada:
1. Bachelor’s Degree
All applicants must have a relevant bachelor’s degree from a recognized university to apply for a PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada. You are expected to have at least 75% in your undergraduate degree. Your transcripts will be assessed to determine equivalence to a degree, recognsed in the Canadian education system and check whether you meet the eligibility criteria based on the education system of your country.
2. Proof of English Language Proficiency
International students must submit scores of exams such as IELTS or TOEFL as proof of English language proficiency. You are expected to have minimum:
- IELTS score: 6.5
- TOEFL score: 90
3. Work Experience
Some universities prefer candidates who have prior work experience. Therefore you are recommended to have a minimum of 2-3 years of work experience relevant to your program.
4. Canadian Study Permit
As international students you must apply for a Canadian study permit at least 3 months prior to the scheduled program start date. This will allow you to live, study and work in Canada as international students. You can apply for a Canadian study permit only after getting an offer for admission.
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Documents Required for PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada
You need to gather the following documents to apply for admission to project management PG diploma courses in Canada:
- Official transcripts from undergraduate education
- English language proficiency test scores
- GRE scores, if required
- Letters of reference
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Criminal background check
- Copy of passport
- Evidence of sufficient finances
Admission Process for PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada
The PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada may be available for multiple intakes throughout the year. Usually there are September, January and May intakes. You are highly encouraged to apply as early as possible because the number of seats are limited and the program capacity may be reached before the application deadline.
Here is a quick overview of the admission process for PG diploma in project management in Canada:
- Shortlist the universities that you wish to apply to and review their admission requirements.
- You can directly apply online using the application available on the institution’s official website and submit the non-refundable application fee amount.
- Next, you must submit the supporting documents to complete your application.
- Keep checking your email for the offers of admission.
- If you receive an offer for admission, confirm your acceptance within the specified deadline.
- You will have to make the payment of your tuition deposit to confirm your seat.
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Cost of Studying PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada
The cost of studying for a graduate diploma in project management in Canada can be classified into the program fees and cost of living. Let us take a look at both these expenses:
- The diploma in project management Canada fees is around 17,000-24,000 CAD for the entire program.
- The cost of living for international students in Canada is estimated to be 800-1,000 CAD per month i.e. around 10,000-12,000 CAD per year.
- A significant part of the cost of living is covered by the rent of accommodation. If you are looking for pocket friendly accommodation, you must definitely opt for campus accommodation which costs somewhere around 3,000-7,500 CAD per year.
- Depending on your personal choices, you may opt for off-campus accommodation that will cost you around 8,000-9,000 CAD per year.
Career Opportunities After PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada
The demand for project managers in Canada can be seen across various sectors such as IT, Finance, Construction, Engineering, Healthcare, etc. Ontario is known to offer the best salaries to project managers in Canada followed by Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia. The starting salary of a project manager in Canada is 71,500 CAD per year that can go up to 216,000 CAD per year.
Here’s what type of job titles you can expect to be hired for and their average annual salary:
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary |
Project Manager |
140,000 CAD |
Project Coordinator |
107,000 CAD |
Project Management Officer |
123,000 CAD |
Assistant Project Manager |
147,000 CAD |
Assistant Operations Manager |
154,000 CAD |
Commercial Project Manager |
147,000 CAD |
Construction Project Planner |
113,000 CAD |
Construction Project Coordinator |
119,000 CAD |
IT Project Coordinator |
125,000 CAD |
IT Project Leader |
136,000 CAD |
Healthcare Management |
154,000 CAD |
A PG Diploma in Project Management in Canada also equips you with technical skills such as the use of Microsoft Project. The main skills required to be a competent project manager in Canada are strong communication skills, leadership, problem solving, critical thinking, organizational skills and the ability to thrive under pressure and push your peers to achieve targets. The gap between the job openings and job seekers is what has contributed the most to the popularity of this program in Canada.Connect with Yocket Professionals if you want study in Canada and further clear your doubts.