Prospective Students

If you are considering attending Algonquin College and would like to receive more information on admission requirements, funding opportunities, and academic referrals for mature students, here are some areas in the college than can support you:

Mature Student Status

If you do not have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent by the start of the program, and you will be 19 or older by the program start date, you may be considered for admission to the college as a Mature Student.

  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $50 (subject to change) will be charged.
    • Before booking an appointment to complete an assessment for admission to Algonquin College, you must have:
      • Applied for your program through ontariocolleges.ca
      • After which, you will be invited by the Registrar’s Office to complete an assessment.

You must also meet the specific program eligibility requirements in order to be accepted to certain programs. This can be found on the program description page.

For more information, please visit the Registrar’s Office website.

Career Cruising and Career Advising

Algonquin College provides individuals who are interested in enrolling in a program the opportunity to meet with a Career Advisor for a 30-minute information session.

A Career Advisor can help you:

  • Review the hundreds of fantastic programs available at Algonquin College
  • Explore the many different options for completing your studies (full-time, part-time, or online)
  • Find the information you need to select the best options for you
  • Receive guidance regarding how to apply for and finance your education

An info-session with a Career Advisor is confidential and no cost to you. Appointments are available daily and easy to book. If you are a prospective student interested in this service, please visit the Counselling Services Website.

Experienced Worker Centre

The Experienced Worker Centre (EWC) at Algonquin College help adults who have been laid-off, are underemployed, or are simply considering a new career identify programs and financial support that can assist them on their journey.

Find out about funding – you could be eligible.

If you’re an experienced worker who wants to pursue further training, you may be eligible for a range of financial assistance programs! The Experienced Worker Centre can look at all the options and tell you what’s available.

Ontario’s Second Career Strategy

As part of its Economic Action Plan, the Government of Ontario created the Second Career Strategy to help Ontario workers transition into high-demand occupations in their local labour market. The Second Career program provides up to $28,000 to recently laid-off, unemployed or underemployed (less than 20 hours a week) workers who are interested in college programs that don’t exceed 52 weeks in length.

For more information, visit the Experienced Worker Centre website.

Career and Academic Access Centre

The Career and Academic Access Centre prepares students for further education, training and employment through academic upgrading and advisement. We are known for our innovation, leadership, qualified instructors, highly effective teaching techniques, and student success by offering the following services:

Academic Referral

Academic Referral Advisors are available to meet with you one-on-one to discuss your academic goals and identify the steps necessary to reach them.

Academic Upgrading

Need to become college eligible? Academic Upgrading enables you to earn the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate, a Grade 12 equivalency in a college environment. Or, study only the courses you need to meet the admission requirements for your post-secondary program of choice. Courses are offered in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer skills and success strategies.

For more information, visit the Career and Academic Access Centre website.

Advanced Standing/PLAR/Transfer of Academic Credit

Learn how you can apply your previous work and/or volunteer experience, travel experience, credits from prior studies, and other transfer options available and the processes to apply by visiting the Advanced Standing Exemption page.