5 Canadian Schools Accepting International Students for September 2026 and January 2027

• By Sehli Global
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If you still want to study in Canada in 2026 or early 2027, there are options available, but timing matters.

Some schools are still showing selected September 2026 programmes for international students, while others have already closed their regular fall application windows and are now accepting applications for January 2027.

For students applying from outside Canada, January may be the more realistic option if you have not yet secured admission or started your study permit application. A school accepting applications does not guarantee that your study permit will be approved before classes begin.

This guide highlights five schools from our selected school network, their current intake position, and examples of programmes identified by the institutions as eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

1. Seneca Polytechnic

Seneca Polytechnic is a public institution in Ontario with campuses across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

Seneca currently confirms that international applications are open for September 2026 and January 2027, although individual programme availability may change as spaces fill. Its international programme tool allows students to check programme availability together with PGWP eligibility.

Examples of PGWP-eligible programmes currently listed for the relevant intakes include:

Seneca also lists many degree, diploma and advanced diploma options as PGWP eligible, including Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Computer Science, Computer Programming, Computer Programming & Analysis, Business Information Technology and Early Childhood Education.

Students can check Seneca’s current programme availability and PGWP status on the official international programme page.

What students should know: September applications are still open, but a programme marked open today may fill before your application is reviewed. January 2027 gives applicants who are still arranging admission and immigration documents more time.

Students who have already received their admission documents and are ready to begin their Canadian study permit application should avoid delaying the immigration stage.

2. Durham College

Durham College is a public college with campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Ontario.

Durham provides particularly useful information for international applicants because its programme pages show the intake, international availability and PGWP status together.

Several programmes remain open to international students for September 2026, while others already show January 2027 availability.

Examples include:

Durham also currently shows several September-only options for international applicants, including Artificial Intelligence Analysis, Design and Implementation, Bachelor of Cybersecurity, Bachelor of Construction Management, Biomedical Engineering Technology and Civil Engineering Technician.

Students can check the current programme availability directly on Durham College’s website.

Classes for the Fall 2026 semester begin on September 8, while the Winter 2027 semester begins on January 11.

What students should know:

Durham is one of the stronger late-stage September options on this list because several programme pages still explicitly show international availability as open. However, applicants outside Canada should still consider whether there is enough time to complete their study permit process properly.

3. Canadore College

Canadore College is a public college based in North Bay, Ontario.

The college publishes a dedicated list of programmes it identifies as PGWP eligible, including their normal start terms. The list should still be checked before applying because immigration rules and programme availability can change.

Examples include:

Other programmes on Canadore’s published PGWP list include Project Management – Information Technology, Recreation Therapy, Pre-Health Sciences, Respiratory Therapy, Mental Health and Addiction Worker and several aviation and technology programmes.

Students can check Canadore’s official PGWP programme information before applying.

What students should know: The published start term shows when a programme is normally offered. Students should still confirm that the specific September 2026 or January 2027 intake currently has international seats before paying application or tuition costs.

If you are unsure whether September is still realistic or whether January would give you a stronger timeline, you can seek a professional guidance before making your final programme choice.

4. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is a public university in British Columbia with campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley and other parts of Metro Vancouver.

For international students, KPU’s regular Fall 2026 application deadline was July 1, 2026, which means the normal September application window has passed.

The more realistic option now is Spring 2027, which begins in January.

International applications for the Spring term opened on February 1. The deadline for limited-intake programmes was August 1, while the final deadline for open-intake programmes is November 1, 2026. Selected limited-intake programmes may extend their deadlines where space remains.

KPU publishes a list of programmes that align with current PGWP requirements. Examples include:

KPU’s current PGWP programme list includes these credentials, while the university’s January application window remains open. Programme availability should still be confirmed individually before applying.

For example, KPU’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management is an open-intake programme and specifically lists November 1, 2026 as its Spring 2027 application deadline.

Students can check KPU’s current international application deadlines before proceeding.

What students should know:

Do not treat KPU as a general September 2026 option anymore. For a new international applicant applying now, January 2027 is the stronger route.

5. University of the Fraser Valley

The University of the Fraser Valley is a public university based in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

UFV’s regular international application window for Fall 2026 closed on May 31, so September should not be presented as a new application option at this stage.

Applications for Winter 2027, beginning in January, are currently open. International applicants can apply until October 31, 2026, although programmes may fill before the final deadline.

UFV makes programme selection easier because its international programme page shows both PGWP eligibility and available semester starts.

Examples include:

Other January-start PGWP-eligible options include Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice and several science degrees.

Students can review UFV’s international programme options and PGWP information before choosing a programme.

What students should know:

UFV is no longer a realistic new September application option, but it is one of the clearest January 2027 choices on this list because the university openly publishes its intake dates and programme-level PGWP status.

September 2026 or January 2027: Which Intake Should You Choose?

September 2026 may still work for students who already have admission or who find an institution that is still accepting applications and can move through the remaining process quickly.

However, students applying from outside Canada should not assume that receiving admission in August means they will automatically receive a study permit before classes begin.

Study permit processing varies by country and individual application, and published processing times are estimates rather than guarantees.

If you have not yet chosen a school, secured admission or prepared your immigration documents, January 2027 may give you a more realistic timeline.

It allows more time to choose a suitable programme, gather financial documents and prepare a complete study permit application rather than rushing because September is approaching.

Do You Still Need a Study Permit?

Yes. Receiving admission from a Canadian school does not authorize an international student to begin studying in Canada.

Most foreign nationals coming to Canada for post-secondary education must obtain a study permit. You generally need a valid Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution and, where applicable, a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter, along with financial and other supporting documents.

If you already have your admission documents and need help preparing your Canada study permit application, it is better to begin early rather than wait until your intake is close.

Why PGWP Eligibility Matters Before You Choose a Programme

A school being a Designated Learning Institution does not mean every programme offered by that school will qualify you for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

This is why you need to check the specific programme before applying.

Under the current PGWP rules, students may need to graduate from a programme connected to an eligible field of study to qualify for a PGWP. This requirement generally applies if the student submitted their study permit application on or after November 1, 2024.

In simple terms, being accepted by a DLI is not enough. If working in Canada after graduation is part of your plan, you should check whether the exact programme you want to study meets the current PGWP requirements before accepting your offer.

This is why the programme tables above are important. They help you identify programmes the institutions currently list as PGWP eligible, rather than choosing a programme simply because it is available to international students.

School and Immigration Summary

Remember, being accepted by a DLI does not automatically make every programme PGWP eligible. Students should check the specific programme and the immigration requirements that apply to them before making a final choice.

How Sehli Global Can Help

As a licensed Canadian immigration consulting firm, we help international students choose a Canadian school that is a Designated Learning Institution and select programmes that support their Post-Graduation Work Permit goals.

We also help students determine whether September 2026 or January 2027 is a realistic intake based on where they are in the admission and immigration process.

Once the required admission documents are available, we prepare the Canadian study permit application and organise the supporting immigration documents required for the student’s circumstances.

If you are planning to study in Canada and need help choosing your next step, book a consultation with Sehli Global.

Conclusion

September 2026 options are now limited, while January 2027 gives students starting the process more time to choose the right school and PGWP-eligible programme and prepare their study permit application.

Whichever intake you choose, make sure the school, programme and timeline align with your study and post-graduation plans.

For further guidance on choosing a school or programme and preparing your Canadian study permit application, book a consultation with Sehli Global.