Choose a program and school

Check academic fit, legal status, costs and post-study implications as separate questions.

Treat program admission, study-permit eligibility and post-graduation work eligibility as separate checks owned by different decision-makers.

This section routes five different decisions. Do not collapse them into one checklist: the evidence that settles one may not settle another. Use the official DLI list and institution sources. Make clear that DLI status alone does not make every program PGWP-eligible.

Question	What it resolves	When to use it
What is a designated learning institution?	Explain DLI status, letters of acceptance and why program-level checks still matter.	Open the focused answer when this is the decision blocking progress.
How do I compare Canadian programs?	Use curriculum, outcomes, delivery, location, support and full cost.	Open the focused answer when this is the decision blocking progress.
Does a school qualify me for a post-graduation work permit?	Separate institution, program, credential, language and field-of-study conditions.	Open the focused answer when this is the decision blocking progress.
Public or private school: what should I check?	Verify recognition, consumer protections, transferability and work-permit implications.	Open the focused answer when this is the decision blocking progress.
Should I use university rankings?	Treat rankings as one lens and inspect methodology, subject strength and student fit.	Open the focused answer when this is the decision blocking progress.

What is a designated learning institution?

Explain DLI status, letters of acceptance and why program-level checks still matter. Use this focused route when that question is the fact preventing a decision; return to the hub when the next uncertainty belongs to another route.

How do I compare Canadian programs?

Use curriculum, outcomes, delivery, location, support and full cost. Use this focused route when that question is the fact preventing a decision; return to the hub when the next uncertainty belongs to another route.

Does a school qualify me for a post-graduation work permit?

Separate institution, program, credential, language and field-of-study conditions. Use this focused route when that question is the fact preventing a decision; return to the hub when the next uncertainty belongs to another route.

Public or private school: what should I check?

Verify recognition, consumer protections, transferability and work-permit implications. Use this focused route when that question is the fact preventing a decision; return to the hub when the next uncertainty belongs to another route.

Should I use university rankings?

Treat rankings as one lens and inspect methodology, subject strength and student fit. Use this focused route when that question is the fact preventing a decision; return to the hub when the next uncertainty belongs to another route.

Confirm the exact campus

Match the institution, campus and program to the official designated learning institution entry where required. This step supports every question in this section, but the linked focused answer supplies the narrower test.

Check the program

Verify curriculum, credential, duration, delivery mode and current intake directly with the school. This step supports every question in this section, but the linked focused answer supplies the narrower test.

Separate PGWP eligibility

Use the current IRCC criteria; DLI status alone is not a program-level guarantee. This step supports every question in this section, but the linked focused answer supplies the narrower test.

Compare full fit

Include academic support, location, housing, total cost and realistic career relevance. This step supports every question in this section, but the linked focused answer supplies the narrower test.

Save the evidence

Keep the official program and policy pages dated to the decision and payment. This step supports every question in this section, but the linked focused answer supplies the narrower test.

Use the institution for admissions and program facts, EduCanada for official study-planning information, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permits and work rules. Requirements can change without an education agent or comparison site updating its copy.

Keep a dated planning sheet showing the source, requirement, deadline, document owner and date last checked. Save the official page or letter that supports every material decision.

Admission to a school, appearance on the designated learning institution list or a consultant's assurance does not by itself guarantee a study permit, a post-graduation work permit or permanent residence.