Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology

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.