Top 10 Universities for Mature Students in Canada

Adult or mature students, usually over 25, show strong grit as they study at Canadian post-secondary schools. Many balance school and home duties. They often do well in school compared with peers in more regular study settings. Retention can vary by person, so schools need custom help to keep more students enrolled.

Written & reviewed by

Keshav SharmaRCIC #R530203

Founder, ELAAR Immigration Consulting Inc.

Last reviewed: November 202612 min read

Mature students bring useful views to class. Their experience and drive help them stand out from younger students. They focus on growth and have clear study goals. They also face special roadblocks and more duties in a system built for regular students. Their presence adds diversity, and schools value that.

This mature students informational guide looks at mature student programs at top Canadian schools. If you are comparing mature student university options, the list below can help.

1. York University, Ontario

York University is a strong choice for mature university students in Canada. It hosts more than 6,000 mature students. These students bring work experience to class, and that often helps them succeed. Even with age gaps, their goals are much the same as those of younger students: to build better lives.

The university sees you as a mature student if:

• Starting a degree at age 25 or older
• You have been out of formal schooling for 5 years or more
• You have less than a year of study at an accredited college or university

York welcomes senior citizens 60 or older to take academic courses and earn degrees. Canadian citizens or permanent residents may also qualify for a tuition fee waiver. The waiver is limited to one graduate and one undergraduate degree.

2. Canadian Mennonite University, Manitoba

The university is linked to the Mennonite Church of Canada and the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba. In Canada, citizens or permanent residents who do not meet the academic rules for Regular Student admission may be seen as Mature Students if they are at least 21 years old by the end of the year they apply. To qualify, applicants must have:

• Completed grade 12, even if they are missing some subjects needed for Regular Student admission.
• Finished three approved 40S courses or their equal in the last 3 years.
• Completed at least one term (9 credit hours) with a minimum 2.0 GPA at another post-secondary school, such as a technical college, Bible school, or college.
• Successfully completed a certificate program equal to one term of study (9 credit hours) in the continuing education unit of a post-secondary school.
• Passed the General Education Development Tests.
• Had a successful prior learning review at CMU.

3. The University of British Columbia

Requirements for Mature Students

• You must be out of full-time school for at least 4 years, including high school and post-secondary programs.
• If you have an undergrad degree and want a second degree, you can apply as a transfer or unclassified student.
• Full-time study means three or more courses per term or nine or more transferable credits per term.

4. Concordia University

Concordia University offers a path for people who may not meet the standard academic admission rules through its Mature Entry Program (MEP). Here are some key details about the program:

Admission Rules

• Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years old by the time of application.
• Academic Background: Applicants who lack the standard admission rules for entry, for example, did not finish high school, did not attend CEGEP, or started but did not complete a DEC, but can show they can handle undergraduate courses successfully, are eligible.
• Time away from school: Applicants must not have studied full-time for at least 24 months since age 18.
• Residency: Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Application Process

• Applicants must send a curriculum vitae or resume, a letter of intent that explains why they have chosen to study at the university at this time, and any experience, knowledge, or skills that would help them in their studies.
• A birth certificate or other accepted proof of age and transcripts are also needed.

Program Rules

• Mature Entrants at Concordia are treated as regular undergrads and are expected to meet the same standards before graduation.
• The MEP usually requires 18 extra credits.

5. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo reviews mature students case by case. While all applicants are expected to meet the published rules for their chosen program, the university also looks at academic records, resumes, and other background material.

Here is a short summary of the mature student rules by faculty:

1. Faculty of Arts: Mature students, usually those who have been away from secondary school for 4 years, are reviewed based on academic records, resumes, and other background material. In some cases, upgrading in English courses may be needed.
2. Faculty of Engineering: Admission is based on the required Ontario Grade 12 U courses or equal courses. Experience in building well-structured, modular programs is a plus.
3. School of Architecture: Admission is based on the required Ontario Grade 12 U courses or equal courses. Selected students will be asked to send a portfolio of creative work, give a presentation, and complete a précis test.
4. Faculty of Environment: Mature students are reviewed based on academic records, resumes, and other background material. In some cases, upgrading in English, math, or science at the high school or equal level may be needed.
5. Faculty of Health: Mature students must have, at minimum, the required Ontario Grade 12 U and/or M courses or equal courses for their program of interest.
6. Faculty of Mathematics: Mature students should have covered all the material in the Ontario high school math courses needed for admission. If it has been more than 3 years since you finished the Ontario high school math courses, you may be asked to repeat some or all of the needed courses.
7. Faculty of Science: Mature students must have, at minimum, the required Ontario Grade 12 U courses or equal courses.

6. Thompson Rivers University

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) values mature students in the academic community. Here is a short summary of the key points about mature students at TRU:

1. Definition: TRU defines mature students as applicants who are at least 19 years old and have not graduated from high school or completed their Adult Graduation Diploma. These students may have the grade-level admission rule waived, but they must still meet a program’s other admission rules and all course prerequisites.
2. Label: TRU also uses the label mature students for students who come to TRU later in life, may have other life duties, but do not need to use mature student status for admission.
3. Contribution: Mature students are an important part of TRU’s student body. Their life experience and practical skills in class give extra learning chances for other students and faculty.
4. Demographics: Did you know that 47% of TRU’s on-campus students are 25 or older? This fact shows that it is never too late to learn.
5. Tuition Reimbursement: Students aged 65 or older at the start of their course or courses may qualify for tuition reimbursement. However, all other non-tuition fees, including Student Union fees, still apply.

Here is a case study of a mature student who studied at TRU.

How Deepanjali Got Canada Study Visa After 25 Years Gap?

7. University of Toronto

Program Rules for International Students

• If you have enrolled in or graduated from an accredited international university or college with strong academic results, your application will be judged on your post-secondary education and your latest yearly average.
• However, the university will review your full education history.
• Those who fit the rules will be accepted into a program. The Faculty or Department will decide on the final program admission after checking transfer credits and whether the program prerequisites and grade prerequisites have been met.

Education Programs

You can apply to the pathway programs if you are not eligible for your target academic program and have not completed university-level study.

Academic Bridging Program – Available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons.

• Academic Bridging at Woodsworth College (U of T St. George)
• Academic Bridging at U of T Mississauga

Transitional Year Programme (TYP) – Full-time, 8-month access to a university program for those who do not have formal university admission because of financial, social, personal, political, family, or mental health barriers.

• Transitional Year Programme at U of T St. George
• Transitional Year Program at U of T Scarborough
• Diploma to Degree programmes provide 2-year arts and science diplomas in the school’s partner institutions.

8. Brandon University

Brandon University welcomes mature students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and are at least 21 years old. It has different options for students who have not finished high school and are applying for readmission after stopping study for at least 3 years. If an applicant has attended another post-secondary school, the transcripts will be checked for possible transfer credit at Brandon University after acceptance.

9. University of Regina

The University of Regina welcomes mature students to evening, weekend, and online courses. It also offers flexible options and personal support services. Any Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person who is at least 21 years old can apply for programs.

If you are applying for programs in the faculties of arts, education, la cité, media, art, and performance, or kinesiology and health studies, you must have completed less than 15 credit hours of approved post-secondary courses.

You should have completed fewer than 24 credit hours for programs in science or social work. You should also be able to show your potential for success at university through life or work experience.

10. Western University Canada

Rules for Mature and Senior Students

• Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for this program.
• You must be at least 21 years old in the year you apply.
• You have not completed a full-time formal university or college education.
• You have not had full-time attendance at an educational institution in the past 4 years.
• You have earned at least grade C (60%) in all academic work in the past 4 years.

Rules for Senior Citizens

• You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who lives in Ontario
• You will be at least 60 years old during the first month of classes

Take Professional Help from Licensed Consultants

If you are a mature international student, we can help you apply to respected Canadian universities even with a long school gap. We specialize in mature student applications for Canadian study. Our team lead, Keshav Sharma, is a regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant with deep experience in this area. Feel free to contact our experts or book a consultation with us.

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