Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology

About Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology

Durham College operates within Ontario's public college system. Its legal name is Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology, although it ordinarily presents itself as Durham College. Ontario legislation continues it as a distinct college corporation governed by its own board, while the provincial college directory identifies it as a public institution in Oshawa. The college remains active and is advertising programs with September 2026, January 2027 and May 2027 starts. The institution opened for studies on September 18, 1967, initially serving 205 students in portable classrooms. It has since developed two principal campuses: Oshawa at 2000 Simcoe Street North and Whitby at 1610 Champlain Avenue. The campuses have different academic emphases, so applicants should verify the delivery location of their intended program rather than assume that every subject is available at both. Durham's role differs from that of a research-intensive university. Its portfolio is centered on applied and employment-oriented credentials, including certificates, Ontario college diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates and bachelor's degrees. Some pathways combine a Durham credential with subsequent or integrated study at a university. A graduate certificate is a post-diploma or post-degree college credential and should not be confused with a master's degree. Current evidence does not support master's or doctoral awards by Durham College itself.

Admission is program-specific. Domestic applicants to full-time postsecondary programs apply through the Ontario Colleges application service, select a program and arrange for the required transcripts to be submitted. Durham may issue full or conditional offers, while competitive programs can use selection processes when qualified demand exceeds available seats. Meeting published minimum requirements does not by itself guarantee admission. For September 2026 entry, Durham listed February 1, 2026 as the equal-consideration deadline, May 1 as the offer-confirmation deadline, June 15 as the domestic tuition-deposit deadline and August 14 as the final date to satisfy conditions. Because the current date is August 20, 2026, those milestones have passed; late applicants should consult the live program catalogue for remaining availability. The listed equal-consideration date for January 2027 is October 1, 2026. Applicants educated outside Canada or the United States who use international transcripts in the domestic process may need a course-by-course ICAS report or comprehensive WES report. International applicants use Durham's international application route and must follow program-specific document, English-language and immigration requirements. English proficiency can be established through approved prior education or accepted testing, but thresholds vary by credential and test version. Every applicant should use the individual program page to confirm prerequisite subjects, grades, supplemental requirements and intake availability.

Durham College's 2026–2027 program catalogue spans applied disciplines including business, computing, engineering technology, health and wellness, community services, media, design, law and emergency services, skilled trades, culinary studies, hospitality and horticulture. Available credentials and start terms differ by program. The catalogue allows students to filter by credential, campus and September 2026, January 2027 or May 2027 entry, which is important because not every program admits students in every term or accepts international applicants. The college offers bachelor's and honours bachelor's programs, as well as certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas and graduate certificates. Applicants should interpret these labels precisely: an Ontario college graduate certificate normally requires prior postsecondary education but is not a master's degree. Durham also advertises transfer and joint pathways involving universities, including routes connected with neighbouring Ontario Tech University. In those arrangements, students should check which institution awards each credential and whether progression depends on grades or other conditions. Applied learning is a central feature of many programs, but its form varies. Depending on the curriculum, students may encounter laboratories, simulations, field placements, capstone work, applied research or co-operative education. Co-op is available only in identified programs and may have additional academic eligibility requirements and limited seats. Program pages should therefore be the final authority for prerequisites, curriculum, professional requirements, equipment costs, placement conditions and work-integrated-learning availability.

Key Highlights

• Operating public college with principal campuses in Oshawa and Whitby
• Opened for studies in 1967
• Legally constituted as a distinct Ontario college with its own governing board
• Offers bachelor's degrees alongside college certificates, diplomas and graduate certificates

Student Life & Environment

Student life is distributed between the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. Current students can use academic advising, accessibility support, wellness resources, libraries, study areas and career-development services. Durham's orientation information also identifies varsity, extramural and intramural sports, along with fitness facilities at both principal campuses. Campus access and the precise availability of services may vary by location. On-campus residences are available at Oshawa and Whitby and are open to Durham students. Published housing information describes furnished rooms with internet, laundry, common areas, security and residence programming. Housing is not automatically included with admission, and students should consult the current residence operator for room types, contracts, meal arrangements, application dates and 2026–2027 prices before budgeting. Off-campus options also exist near Oshawa, but these are independently operated. Student and Career Development supports campus involvement, leadership development and preparation for employment. Its services include employment coaching, résumé and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, career exploration, workshops and access to job postings through the Hired portal. Clubs, events and recreation can help students build community, but applicants seeking a particular activity should confirm that it is active at their campus and during their study term.

Location & Surroundings

The Oshawa campus is at 2000 Simcoe Street North in north Oshawa, Ontario. It is the institution's main location and sits beside Ontario Tech University, with some shared facilities, including the campus library and recreation infrastructure. Oshawa is within Durham Region, east of Toronto, but commuting time depends heavily on origin, traffic and transit connections; students should plan around the actual campus rather than downtown Toronto. The Whitby campus is at 1610 Champlain Avenue in Whitby and houses programs associated particularly with skilled trades, culinary studies, hospitality and horticulture. Durham College also provides community employment services at several smaller regional locations, but these should not be treated as full-service teaching campuses. Applicants should verify their program location before arranging housing or transportation. A program delivered in Whitby may make accommodation near the Oshawa campus inconvenient, and vice versa. Drivers can reach Oshawa via Highway 401 or Highway 407 routes, while transit users should check current Durham Region Transit and regional rail or bus schedules for their intended class times.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For the 2026–2027 academic year, Durham's standard full-time tuition for one semester is CAD 1,388.24 for domestic students. Standard international tuition is that domestic amount plus a CAD 6,356.22 international premium, producing CAD 7,744.46 for one semester before ancillary charges and other costs. Some programs have approved non-standard rates, so these figures are not a reliable total for every student. Tuition also excludes ancillary fees and possible expenses for textbooks, supplies, technology, uniforms, equipment, transportation or off-campus learning. Applicants should use the college's program fee estimator and their official fee notice. New domestic students were required to pay a non-refundable CAD 500 deposit by June 15 for Fall 2026. International payment timing is stated in the student's letter of acceptance. Housing, food and commuting costs depend on campus and living arrangement; no single current room-and-board amount was verified for this profile. Career preparation is built around applied curricula rather than a guaranteed employment outcome. Selected programs include paid co-op or other placements, while Student and Career Development provides coaching, interview preparation, résumé support, workshops and access to full-time, part-time, contract, on-campus and volunteer postings through the Hired portal. Students should assess the work-integrated-learning structure and any professional licensing requirements on the specific program page. No current institution-wide salary or employment-rate claim was used because a sufficiently current authoritative figure was not verified.