Advises on course duration and changeability

[ym205]

Hello wonderful people,

I can't value enough of how much your contribution I appreciate, so here's my situation.
I'm currently residing in Bangladesh (high risk country, I suppose), I graduated from the UK. I did my bachelors on Software Engineering and recently applied for Advanced Diploma on Business Intelligence Analytics (1 year duration) as first choice and IT Database Administration (2 years duration) as my second choice at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).

Both of which has connection and co-related to my undergrad degree. I earlier thought Advanced Diploma was similar to a Post Graduate program, but then I realized both are pretty much the same (correct me if I'm wrong).
I've been offered the former Advanced Diploma course, i.e, Business Intelligence Analytics couple of days ago and requires a deposit before 17th Feb. Before I proceed, I need to ensure that my study period is longer enough that grants me a good interval of PGWP.

Although, the latter course is of two years duration, I was thinking that perhaps if I were to proceed with former course; may be I can apply for another Advanced Diploma while being inside Canada. Even if I were to, then I'd apply for Office Administration (1 year duration).

So, here's my question.

1. Should I apply for BIA, whose length of study is one year and then apply and upon completion I may apply for another program i.e OA? In that way, I've the opportunity to learn two different fields and at the same time I have stayed in Canada for two years and then apply for PGWP, hopefully secure a three year PGWP? or is it that CIC won't accept such practice? or has someone already who has done so, can you enlighten me please?

2. Should I inform NSCC admissions, that I have changed my mind and that I'd rather like to study IT DA and as such I would like to request to move my application for the IT Database Administration whose length is two years of study?


Looking forward for some advises before I'm too close to deadline for deposit.

Many thanks to all in advance.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Hello wonderful people,

I can't value enough of how much your contribution I appreciate, so here's my situation.
I'm currently residing in Bangladesh (high risk country, I suppose), I graduated from the UK. I did my bachelors on Software Engineering and recently applied for Advanced Diploma on Business Intelligence Analytics (1 year duration) as first choice and IT Database Administration (2 years duration) as my second choice at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).

Both of which has connection and co-related to my undergrad degree. I earlier thought Advanced Diploma was similar to a Post Graduate program, but then I realized both are pretty much the same (correct me if I'm wrong).
I've been offered the former Advanced Diploma course, i.e, Business Intelligence Analytics couple of days ago and requires a deposit before 17th Feb. Before I proceed, I need to ensure that my study period is longer enough that grants me a good interval of PGWP.

Although, the latter course is of two years duration, I was thinking that perhaps if I were to proceed with former course; may be I can apply for another Advanced Diploma while being inside Canada. Even if I were to, then I'd apply for Office Administration (1 year duration).

So, here's my question.

1. Should I apply for BIA, whose length of study is one year and then apply and upon completion I may apply for another program i.e OA? In that way, I've the opportunity to learn two different fields and at the same time I have stayed in Canada for two years and then apply for PGWP, hopefully secure a three year PGWP? or is it that CIC won't accept such practice? or has someone already who has done so, can you enlighten me please?

2. Should I inform NSCC admissions, that I have changed my mind and that I'd rather like to study IT DA and as such I would like to request to move my application for the IT Database Administration whose length is two years of study?


Looking forward for some advises before I'm too close to deadline for deposit.

Many thanks to all in advance.

From my experience, an Advanced Diploma is NOT the same thing as a Post-Graduate diploma or certificate. Diploma's are generally 2 Years and considered to be equivalent to an Associate's degree elsewhere that requires only high school education. Advanced Diplomas are basically diploma's but instead of the 2 year period are 3 years, essentially falling short of a Bachelor's by a year.

Check the Admissions Requirements and see if what they require is a Bachelor's to enter the program or just High School education. Programs for post bachelor's candidates are generally called the following: and require a Bachelor's degree:

Post Baccalaureate's Certificate/Diploma
Graduate Certificate/Diploma
Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma

In terms of your 1+1 plan, yes that would grant 3 years PGWP if you fulfill all the requirements. See CIC website.

 

[ym205]

From my experience, an Advanced Diploma is NOT the same thing as a Post-Graduate diploma or certificate. Diploma's are generally 2 Years and considered to be equivalent to an Associate's degree elsewhere that requires only high school education. Advanced Diplomas are basically diploma's but instead of the 2 year period are 3 years, essentially falling short of a Bachelor's by a year.

Check the Admissions Requirements and see if what they require is a Bachelor's to enter the program or just High School education. Programs for post bachelor's candidates are generally called the following: and require a Bachelor's degree:

Post Baccalaureate's Certificate/Diploma
Graduate Certificate/Diploma
Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma

In terms of your 1+1 plan, yes that would grant 3 years PGWP if you fulfill all the requirements. See CIC website.

I'm grateful to see your reply on my query.

You're right, Advanced Diploma is not the same thing as Post-Graduate diploma or certificate, I just happened not to realize at the right time. The admissions at NSCC has clearly mentioned it that the program requirements is a Bachelor's degree for Business Intelligence Analytics program. I'm quoting admissions requirements below from the NSCC web page,

"Undergraduate degree, advanced diploma or diploma in one of the following areas: information technology; business administration; geomatics; engineering technology; geospatial data analytics, geographic sciences, health information management, engineering (electrical, electronic, environmental, mechanical, industrial); natural sciences or related fields and a post-secondary introductory-level database course."

However, the admissions requirement for IT Database Administration is bit similar to what you've said,

"High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.International students – High school diploma equivalency."

Based on the admissions requirement on IT Database Administration, do you reckon that will have less chances for me to obtain student permit, given that I've a Bachelor's degree but again if I were to mention on my SOP that I've applied to learn certain work skills that are relevant to me study field?

Lastly, I want to clarify that whether I'll be able to apply for new study permit from within Canada?

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

I'm grateful to see your reply on my query.

You're right, Advanced Diploma is not the same thing as Post-Graduate diploma or certificate, I just happened not to realize at the right time. The admissions at NSCC has clearly mentioned it that the program requirements is a Bachelor's degree for Business Intelligence Analytics program. I'm quoting admissions requirements below from the NSCC web page,

"Undergraduate degree, advanced diploma or diploma in one of the following areas: information technology; business administration; geomatics; engineering technology; geospatial data analytics, geographic sciences, health information management, engineering (electrical, electronic, environmental, mechanical, industrial); natural sciences or related fields and a post-secondary introductory-level database course."

However, the admissions requirement for IT Database Administration is bit similar to what you've said,

"High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.International students – High school diploma equivalency."

Based on the admissions requirement on IT Database Administration, do you reckon that will have less chances for me to obtain student permit, given that I've a Bachelor's degree but again if I were to mention on my SOP that I've applied to learn certain work skills that are relevant to me study field?

Lastly, I want to clarify that whether I'll be able to apply for new study permit from within Canada?

That's interesting. Although it is technically a Post Bachelor's program it's been given the title of Advanced Diploma. This is Wikipedia's definition of Advanced Diploma

"An Ontario College Advanced Diploma (OCAD) is a diploma awarded by Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada, upon the completion of a three-year program of study."I know your program is in Nova Scotia but you may want to research more into that.

As for your 2nd point, yes it will definitely decrease your chance of getting a visa. They will hit you will someone along the lines of • Your proposed studies are not reasonable in light of your qualifications, previous studies, employment, level of establishment, language abilities, or your future prospects and plans.

Good luck.

 

[ym205]

That's interesting. Although it is technically a Post Bachelor's program it's been given the title of Advanced Diploma. This is Wikipedia's definition of Advanced Diploma

"An Ontario College Advanced Diploma (OCAD) is a diploma awarded by Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada, upon the completion of a three-year program of study."I know your program is in Nova Scotia but you may want to research more into that.

As for your 2nd point, yes it will definitely decrease your chance of getting a visa. They will hit you will someone along the lines of • Your proposed studies are not reasonable in light of your qualifications, previous studies, employment, level of establishment, language abilities, or your future prospects and plans.

Good luck.

I'll call the admissions office at NSCC tomorrow to confirm on why is it qualified as Advanced Diploma.

Secondly, any judgement on the thoughts below?

How about if I include in my SOP that I've qualified from an English speaking country as for my language ability and as for future plan, I'm looking forward to study for Masters? I really want to apply for a two year program, instead of a one-year length study because I assume it will be a sort of hassle as I would be applying for Office Administration which is also one year of study length, but probably it has different contents to relate with IT.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

I'll call the admissions office at NSCC tomorrow to confirm on why is it qualified as Advanced Diploma.

Secondly, any judgement on the thoughts below?

How about if I include in my SOP that I've qualified from an English speaking country as for my language ability and as for future plan, I'm looking forward to study for Masters? I really want to apply for a two year program, instead of a one-year length study because I assume it will be a sort of hassle as I would be applying for Office Administration which is also one year of study length, but probably it has different contents to relate with IT.

You don't need proof of English for your study permit application. You only need it for your program application. So, why bring it up if it is not relevant. Yes, you can state that your long term goal is to do a Master's. That is what I did and it worked for me but my program was a post-bachelor's program.

Your best option is to apply to Master's directly. From my personal viewpoint, these 1 year programs are useless and taught by incompetent professors. If you really care about your education, I would apply to a renowned Master's program. It's more expensive but worth it.

 

[ym205]

You don't need proof of English for your study permit application. You only need it for your program application. So, why bring it up if it is not relevant. Yes, you can state that your long term goal is to do a Master's. That is what I did and it worked for me but my program was a post-bachelor's program.

Your best option is to apply to Master's directly. From my personal viewpoint, these 1 year programs are useless and taught by incompetent professors. If you really care about your education, I would apply to a renowned Master's program. It's more expensive but worth it.

I wasted nearly two years after my bachelors graduation, looking for my preferred choice of Master's program in Canada, only to find there aren't as attractive courses in Canada as it's in the UK. Most of them are Msc. in Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence program that demands higher grades, high concentration on study, research planning and thus they don't interest me. I rather look for specialization on web technologies and it's application in business organisation, i.e Management of Business Information Technology (Msc. in the UK) or any such.

Only after two years of search, I found that Canada has to offer what I was seeking but in the forms of Post Bachelor's or Advanced Programming programs or else I would have applied for Master's. Since Master's also demands for higher grades,due to my hampering grades at Bachelor's, I found that these programs might be a bridging courses towards Master's (Again, correct me if I'm wrong).

Moreover, I once called on to Memorial University of Newfoundland to seek suggestions and they advised me that Master's is for those who look forward studying PhD, whereas Post Graduate or Advanced Diploma and similar programs are for those who look for work skill development. That means, I'll gain work skills required for job, at least that's what I assume at the moment and also related to future settlement plan in Canada (Obviously, settlement is the end goal).

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

I wasted nearly two years after my bachelors graduation, looking for my preferred choice of Master's program in Canada, only to find there aren't as attractive courses in Canada as it's in the UK. Most of them are Msc. in Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence program that demands higher grades, high concentration on study, research planning and thus they don't interest me. I rather look for specialization on web technologies and it's application in business organisation, i.e Management of Business Information Technology (Msc. in the UK) or any such.

Only after two years of search, I found that Canada has to offer what I was seeking but in the forms of Post Bachelor's or Advanced Programming programs or else I would have applied for Master's. Since Master's also demands for higher grades,due to my hampering grades at Bachelor's, I found that these programs might be a bridging courses towards Master's (Again, correct me if I'm wrong).

Moreover, I once called on to Memorial University of Newfoundland to seek suggestions and they advised me that Master's is for those who look forward studying PhD, whereas Post Graduate or Advanced Diploma and similar programs are for those who look for work skill development. That means, I'll gain work skills required for job, at least that's what I assume at the moment and also related to future settlement plan in Canada (Obviously, settlement is the end goal).

Yes, you are right that you need good grades for a Master's program. So in the end only you know your situational fully (GPA, etc.) Check out this program:
https://pace.uwinnipegcourses.ca/international-students/programs/web-development-diploma
I would apply there if I were you.

 

[ym205]

Yes, you are right that you need good grades for a Master's program. So in the end only you know your situational fully (GPA, etc.) Check out this program:
https://pace.uwinnipegcourses.ca/international-students/programs/web-development-diploma
I would apply there if I were you.

Thanks for referring me to that website of UoWinnipeg.

Might sound funny but there's no university website that I didn't research enough, either I found them out of my budget or subjects irrelevant.

I've seen the course above long ago but their fees are damn too high.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

That sucks. Well I don't know what else to tell you. Choose the best program for you within your budget i guess.

Best of luck

 

[ym205]

That sucks. Well I don't know what else to tell you. Choose the best program for you within your budget i guess.

Best of luck

As I've discussed those two programs at NSCC were the ones I found within my budget and interest. All I'm concerned is what I mentioned above,

1. Will my program's duration affect my chances of visa?
2. Will I be able to apply for another program of study within Canada? because it sounds things will be either easier or difficult depending on next program of study.

You've tried to answer most of the questions but still I'm skeptical on those two points above. Nonetheless, thanks a lot and I hope you'll be a helping hand if I've further queries in future.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

As I've discussed those two programs at NSCC were the ones I found within my budget and interest. All I'm concerned is what I mentioned above,

1. Will my program's duration affect my chances of visa?
2. Will I be able to apply for another program of study within Canada? because it sounds things will be either easier or difficult depending on next program of study.

You've tried to answer most of the questions but still I'm skeptical on those two points above. Nonetheless, thanks a lot and I hope you'll be a helping hand if I've further queries in future.

Personally, I would take a loan out and attend a better name uni than community colleges. Degrees from those colleges are literally useless in trying to find jobs afterwards. That's my take anyways

 

[ym205]

Personally, I would take a loan out and attend a better name uni than community colleges. Degrees from those colleges are literally useless in trying to find jobs afterwards. That's my take anyways

Let's say, I've enough money to fund myself for Master's. But these are the things that's stopping me from applying for one,

1. Master's requires supervisor's approval based on research planning as most Master's program I've come across in Canada are thesis based and not course based. I'll need to have a good research plan as well as remarkable grades, i.e 70+ and finally minimum of two recommendation letters. None of which I've at the moment.

2. Given on the troubles stated above, I'd still apply for Master's, if there was any subject of my interest. Any computing Master's program with a blend of business information/web technology. Basically, less to do with deeper computer programming and more to do with applied computing technologies. UK has many such Master's programs to offer, I'm yet to find why Canada lacks such opportunities. But again, I found what I'm seeking in the form of Post-Grad/Advanced Diploma studies.

As I mentioned earlier that my end goal is to immigrate and settle in Canada through Canadian Experience Class stream (hopefully). If all goes as planned and if I obtain my study permit, to attain any job, I've my existing UK bachelor's degree and a year of experience (I'm aware of necessity of Canadian work experience and value of non-Canadian education). What's complicated is the one year experience I gained may not count towards any immigration stream because I've earned those one year work skill during my studies and a few months after I graduated.

Although, I can convince my current employer to help me obtain a one year work experience document for future immigration purpose but I'm not considering doing so at the moment.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Let's say, I've enough money to fund myself for Master's. But these are the things that's stopping me from applying for one,

1. Master's requires supervisor's approval based on research planning as most Master's program I've come across in Canada are thesis based and not course based. I'll need to have a good research plan as well as remarkable grades, i.e 70+ and finally minimum of two recommendation letters. None of which I've at the moment.

2. Given on the troubles stated above, I'd still apply for Master's, if there was any subject of my interest. Any computing Master's program with a blend of business information/web technology. Basically, less to do with deeper computer programming and more to do with applied computing technologies. UK has many such Master's programs to offer, I'm yet to find why Canada lacks such opportunities. But again, I found what I'm seeking in the form of Post-Grad/Advanced Diploma studies.

As I mentioned earlier that my end goal is to immigrate and settle in Canada through Canadian Experience Class stream (hopefully). If all goes as planned and if I obtain my study permit, to attain any job, I've my existing UK bachelor's degree and a year of experience (I'm aware of necessity of Canadian work experience and value of non-Canadian education). What's complicated is the one year experience I gained may not count towards any immigration stream because I've earned those one year work skill during my studies and a few months after I graduated.

Although, I can convince my current employer to help me obtain a one year work experience document for future immigration purpose but I'm not considering doing so at the moment.

Do what makes you happy