Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology

About Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology

Centennial was established in 1966 and opened that October, becoming the first institution in Ontario’s public college system. Its statutory name is Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology, although it ordinarily uses Centennial College. The institution primarily serves the eastern Greater Toronto Area and operates as a public, career-focused college rather than a research university. Students can pursue credentials at several levels, but the available route depends on the subject. Centennial awards certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates and selected bachelor’s degrees. The word “graduate” in an Ontario graduate certificate does not indicate a master’s degree. Prospective students seeking postgraduate research degrees should therefore look elsewhere: Centennial does not independently award master’s or doctoral degrees. The college is continuing to operate and accept students for 2026/27, although its academic portfolio and physical footprint are being consolidated. More than 100 programs remain available across fields such as business, engineering and applied science, transportation, health and wellness, community studies, hospitality, and creative industries. The 2026/27 update introduced an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business, reinstated the Honours Bachelor of Public Relations and suspended selected programs. Availability can also differ by intake. This structure suits students who value applied learning and direct preparation for particular occupations. It requires careful program-level comparison, however, because credential type, campus, intake, admission prerequisites, work-integrated learning and tuition are not uniform across the college.

Admission is program-specific. For a Centennial bachelor’s degree, the general academic basis is an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent with at least six Grade 12 university- or university/college-preparation credits. Individual degrees may require particular subjects, minimum grades or additional material. Certificate and diploma applicants generally need an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, while applicants aged 19 or older without one may qualify for mature-applicant consideration. Portfolios, auditions, writing samples, interviews, tests or prior post-secondary study may apply in selected programs. Canadian applicants normally apply through Ontario Colleges. For a fall intake, Centennial advises applying by February 1. Applications after that date may still be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis where space remains, while highly competitive programs require timely submission for equal consideration. Applicants should treat the deadline and availability shown for their chosen program as controlling. International applicants for Fall 2026, Winter 2027 and Summer 2027 use ApplyCentennial. The published international application fee is CAD 125, and an admitted applicant confirms an offer by paying a CAD 2,000 registration deposit by the date in the offer letter. International applicants upload transcripts and proof of identity and may need a Provincial Attestation Letter and study permit. All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency. Centennial accepts qualifying prior education, approved upgrading or recognized tests. For degree programs, the general published IELTS Academic standard is 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, but program-specific requirements can be higher.

Centennial’s academic model spans short career credentials, two- and three-year diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships and four-year degrees. Applicants should evaluate the exact credential rather than treating all programs as equivalent. A graduate certificate normally requires prior post-secondary preparation but is not a master’s degree, while Centennial’s degree programs lead to bachelor-level awards. The college’s current degree page lists an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business, an Honours Bachelor of Information Technology in Computer and Communication Networks, an Honours Bachelor of Public Relations and a collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing. University partnership programs are presented separately from Centennial’s own degrees. This distinction matters when determining the awarding institution and progression options. Teaching is oriented toward practical and theoretical preparation for employment. Depending on the program, learning may include laboratories, studios, applied projects, capstones, simulations, internships, field placements or co-operative work terms. Centennial reports optional co-op opportunities in business, engineering technology and applied sciences, and transportation. Participating students may complete four-, eight- or twelve-month full-time work experiences, but co-op is not available automatically in every program and admission to a co-op stream can have separate requirements. Program availability is actively managed. For Fall 2026 through Summer 2027, Centennial lists new, reinstated and suspended offerings, and media and creative-arts teaching is being relocated from Story Arts Centre to newly developed spaces at Progress Campus. Students should verify the current intake, campus, delivery mode and experiential-learning component on the individual program page before applying.

Key Highlights

• Ontario public college established in 1966
• Independent institution authorized to award selected bachelor’s degrees
• More than 100 programs remain in the 2026/27 portfolio
• No independently awarded master’s or PhD degrees

Student Life & Environment

Centennial is primarily a multi-campus commuter college, so student experience varies by program location and by how actively students use college-wide services. The Centennial College Student Association supports student-led academic, cultural, professional and recreational clubs. Club availability can change during the year, and students may apply to establish a new organization when an existing group does not match their interests. Progress Campus has the college’s on-campus residence, Centennial Place. Accommodation is open to domestic and international students and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis after the required room payment. The residence provides furnished suite configurations, shared kitchens, study and social spaces, Wi-Fi, utilities, security and residence-life programming. Published room rates were not displayed on the college page reviewed in August 2026, so students should obtain a current quote directly rather than relying on an older figure. Centennial Housing Service also provides guidance on off-campus options but does not guarantee third-party providers. Academic and personal support includes advising, tutoring, library resources, counselling and accessible-learning services. The Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services can assess disability-related needs, coordinate academic accommodations and provide confidential counselling. Recreation facilities and student gathering or study spaces are available at selected campuses. Students based away from Progress should compare travel time and the services available at their home campus before choosing housing.

Location & Surroundings

Centennial serves Toronto from multiple specialized sites, principally in the city’s east end and Scarborough. Progress is the largest hub and houses Centennial Place residence, major student services, business and technical teaching, and hospitality and culinary facilities. Morningside supports health, community and applied-science study, while Ashtonbee is associated with transportation and automotive education. Downsview provides aerospace and aviation facilities. Students should use the individual program listing to identify their actual study location rather than assuming every subject is offered at every campus. The campus map is changing for Fall 2026. Continuing communications, media, arts and design programs are relocating from Story Arts Centre to Progress Campus beginning in Summer 2026. Some teaching continued at Story Arts during Summer 2026, while music, dance, theatre and other performing-arts programs remained at the separate Performing Arts Centre. Applicants to creative programs should check the current location carefully. Progress Campus is at 941 Progress Avenue in Scarborough and can be reached by public transit or by car from Highway 401. Toronto provides access to a large and diverse employment market, but commuting conditions and housing costs can differ considerably by neighbourhood. Residence applicants should also account for travel if their program is taught away from Progress.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Centennial’s 2026/27 fees vary substantially by credential, program and residency. The college’s sample full-time schedule lists first-year tuition of CAD 2,775 for a typical Canadian post-secondary program and CAD 18,005 for a typical international post-secondary program. These are examples rather than universal charges. Degree pricing is program-specific: published first-year tuition ranges from CAD 6,106 to CAD 7,289 for the listed domestic honours degrees and from CAD 18,375 to CAD 22,802.50 for their international counterparts. The collaborative nursing schedule is higher for international students. Ancillary fees are additional and vary by program, while co-op students may pay a separate non-refundable administration fee. Students should calculate costs using the fee entry for their exact program and year, then add ancillary charges, books, equipment, transportation, housing and personal expenses. Centennial Place did not publish current room prices on the college page reviewed in August 2026; applicants must request current rates. International students should also budget for immigration-related requirements and health coverage. The CAD 2,000 international registration deposit is applied toward tuition. Career preparation is integrated differently across programs. Centennial’s Career Services provides employment advising, résumé and cover-letter review, interview preparation, workshops, recruitment events, job postings and online resources to students and graduates. More than 50 programs have co-op options, with eligible students undertaking four-, eight- or twelve-month full-time work periods. Other programs may use internships, mandatory field placements, capstones or industry projects. Participation does not guarantee employment, and applicants should confirm whether an experience is required, optional, paid or unpaid before enrolling.