Canada is a popular destination for international students. Its education system includes universities that offer classes in person, online, and through distance education. However, program availability and admission requirements vary by institution.
Many Canadian universities and colleges welcome international students into online and distance education programs. Tuition, delivery methods, student support, and eligibility for scholarships differ by institution and program, so applicants should confirm the current details before applying.
In this article, let’s discuss some universities in Canada that offer online bachelor’s programs.
Top Schools Offering Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Canada
1. Athabasca University
Athabasca University is Canada’s Open University and the country’s only public university that is fully digital by design. It offers more than 850 online courses across 21 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the humanities, sciences, business, and health disciplines.
Athabasca University was founded in 1970 and introduced its first open, distance course in 1973. In 2018, the university became the first Canadian postsecondary institution to enter into a formal collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services. The collaboration was intended to modernize the university’s information technology infrastructure and support cloud-based education and research initiatives.
The university accepts undergraduate applications throughout the year, and most undergraduate programs have continuous enrollment. Most are open-admission programs, although some have additional entry requirements that applicants must meet.
2. McGill University
McGill University offers an online Bachelor of Nursing (Integrated), or BNI, through its Ingram School of Nursing. McGill describes it as the university’s first fully online academic program, but it is not a general-entry nursing degree. It is intended for graduates who earned a Quebec CEGEP 180.A0 Diploma of College Studies in Nursing within the previous five years.
With the exception of clinical courses, the BNI Online courses are delivered virtually. Some courses also have scheduled synchronous components. The program consists of 92 credits, including 27 credits of advanced standing awarded for the qualifying nursing diploma. Students complete the remaining 65 credits at McGill, normally over two years of full-time study.
Because the program is designed for nursing-diploma graduates in Quebec, prospective students should review its eligibility conditions carefully. International applicants should not treat it as a fully remote, entry-level nursing program open to applicants from any educational background.
3. Laurentian University
Laurentian University has a bilingual and tricultural mandate, offering education in English and French while incorporating a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian Online currently lists 26 degree program options and nearly 400 courses in an asynchronous online format.
Its online undergraduate offerings include several Bachelor of Arts options, a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work, and other specialized degrees. Laurentian states that its four-year online Bachelor of Business Administration is delivered in a 2+2.5 format and requires 120 credits.
The asynchronous format gives students flexibility in deciding when to review course material, but assignments and other requirements still have deadlines. Applicants should also check the current program page because admissions are paused for some online options, while certain programs may require an on-site practicum.
4. Yorkville University
Yorkville University offers undergraduate programs online and on campus. Its fully online bachelor’s options include the Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Interior Design. The online BBA can be taken from anywhere in the world, and Yorkville states that domestic and international applicants have the same admission requirements and tuition rates for that program.
Students have access to Yorkville’s online Student Success Centre and 24/7 support through its tutoring platform. Online courses may also use asynchronous discussion questions that contribute to the course grade. These activities primarily develop written analysis, engagement with course material, and interaction with classmates rather than public-speaking skills.
5. Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University offers online and distance education through its Open Learning division. Its current catalog includes undergraduate programs in areas such as arts, science, business, computing, technology, tourism, and general studies.
Open Learning courses may be self-paced online courses, paced online courses with scheduled start and end dates, print-based courses, or courses with in-person components. Some programs may require laboratories, clinical work, workshops, practicums, or credits completed through another recognized institution. Students should therefore confirm whether every requirement for their chosen degree can be completed remotely.
We hope this article about online bachelor’s programs in Canada gave you useful information about available off-campus study options. If you are interested, check our Canada Page and Available Courses for International Students.
