High school isn’t for everyone. But when it comes to getting a job, not having a high school diploma can limit your job opportunities. In this case, it might make sense to get your GED if you don’t have a traditional high school diploma. But what is a GED in Canada?
Find out what is involved in getting your GED, and what kind of jobs can you get with this type of education?
What Is A GED In Canada?
A General Educational Development (GED) is a high school equivalency certification. Canadians who have not participated in traditional high school education can complete GED tests to prove they have high school-level knowledge.
GED tests cover five subject areas, including the following:
- Mathematics
- Language arts – reading
- Language arts – writing
- Social studies
- Science
You must pass each of these tests to receive your GED certification, at which point you will be considered to have a grade 12 education. You can then use your GED to apply to post-secondary schools or jobs that typically require a high school education.
If you’re unable to attend or complete high school, you can obtain a GED instead.
GED vs. High School Diploma
While a GED proves that you have high school-level knowledge, there are several key differences between a GED and high school:
- Certification. When you graduate high school, you’ll be awarded a diploma. On the other hand, a GED education comes with a certificate after you pass all five tests.
- Coursework. A high school diploma requires class attendance and regular coursework completion in various areas of study, while a GED does not have any coursework requirements.
- Testing. Different provinces and territories have their own requirements that you must complete to graduate and receive your high school diploma. The requirements for a GED certificate, on the other hand, are the same all across Canada.
- Time commitment. High school typically involves four or five years of study (depending on the province), while a GED usually takes much less time to finish.
What Jobs Can You Get With A GED In Canada?
Most jobs require proof of high school-level knowledge, but not all necessarily require a high school diploma. Many job positions accept a GED or equivalent, such as the following:
- Firefighter
- Air Traffic Controller
- Protective Services
- Construction Worker
- Personal Trainer
- Fleet Technician
- Millwright
- Customer Service Representative
- Mechanic
Check out these best work-from-home jobs.
Where Can You Get Your GED In Canada?
GED certification is available in most provinces in Canada:
Alberta. There are several GED writing centres across the province of Alberta, some of which also offer GED preparation classes.
Manitoba. Adults over 19 can take their GED tests in Winnipeg or Brandon testing locations. At this time, only paper-based testing is available.
Saskatchewan. GED testing takes place at many locations throughout the province. You can choose the testing centre and schedule a date and time once you register.
Ontario. Residents of Ontario can register for GED testing through TVO ILC, the only organization authorized by the province to offer the GED.
Quebec. Anyone over the age of 16 can get their GED in Quebec. Currently, there is no computer-based GED test. Instead, the exam is paper-based and can be taken at the AEVS Testing Center in Montreal, three times per year (November, March, and June).
New Brunswick. Adults at least 19 years of age can take a computer- or paper-based GED test at various testing centres across the province.
Nova Scotia. GED tests can be done on a computer at a testing centre in various community college campuses throughout the province. Test takers must be at least 18 years old.
PEI. GED test-takers must be at least 18 years old and successfully complete all Official Practice Tests (OPT) at an approved test centre before taking the official GED test in PEI.
Newfoundland & Labrador. Adults at least 19 of age can write a paper- or computer-based GED test at one of three locations in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Nunavut. The GED test is available to take at an official Nunavut GED testing centre. Test-takers must be at least 19 years old.
Northwest Territories. The GED test in NW Territories is available both in computer and paper format to adults at least 18 years of age.
Yukon. GED testing in Yukon is computer-based and is available to adults at least 18 years old.
British Columbia
You can get a GED anywhere in Canada except for BC. However, while BC does not offer a GED, it offers the following options to adults looking to receive a high school equivalent:
- Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood)
- Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood)
More information about GED testing requirements, costs, and other information in different provinces and territories in Canada can be found at GED.com.
How Much Is A GED?
The cost to take GED tests is very low and varies by province:
| Province/Territory | Cost For GED |
| Alberta | $200 ($40 per test) |
| Saskatchewan | $35 ($7 per test) |
| Manitoba | $75 ($15 per test) |
| Ontario | $100 ($20 per test) |
| Quebec | $175 ($35 per test) |
| New Brunswick | $0 |
| Nova Scotia | $0 |
| PEI | $0 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $30 ($6 per test) |
| Yukon | $150 ($30 per test) |
| NW Territories | $175 ($35 per test) |
| Nunavut | $175 ($35 per test) |
Can You Pursue Higher Education With A GED?
For the most part, universities and colleges across Canada require a high school diploma as a prerequisite for admission, though a few accept a GED. Your ability to get into college or university with a GED depends on the province and the school you apply to.
In many cases, you may be accepted into a post-secondary educational institution with a GED as a mature student. That means you must be an adult applying to college or university with a GED. In other cases, specific grade 12 courses may be needed in addition to your GED if you’re applying without a traditional high school diploma.
All schools in Canada have their own specific admission requirements, so you’ll need to check with the one you’re planning to apply to.
University Of Waterloo In Ontario
At the University of Waterloo in Ontario, GED tests are not considered equivalent to grade 12 university courses. If you have a GED or are missing specific grade 12 university courses, you’ll need to successfully pass them first to meet the school’s admission requirements.
Concordia University In Montreal
At Concordia University in Montreal, you may be able to gain admission through the Mature Entry Program (MEP) if you don’t have a high school diploma. You’ll need to meet specific age, experience, and academic requirements to get accepted as a mature student.
GED.com is a useful resource you can use to find colleges and universities across Canada that accept a GED as part of the admission process, as well as other requirements you may need to get accepted.
How To Fund Your University Degree
Post-secondary studies can be extremely expensive, especially if you choose to move out of your family home and live on campus. According to Statistics Canada, the average tuition fee for full-time studies in undergraduate programs is $6,693 for the 2021/2022 academic year, marking an increase of 1.7% from the year before. Based on this price, a four-year degree would cost $26,772.
Many Canadian and international students cannot afford to pay these fees out-of-pocket. Instead, they often rely on financial assistance programs and products to help them cover the cost of post-secondary education. If you’re in need of financial help to pay for school, here are some ways to fund your course of study:
Government Student Loans
The Canada Student Financial Assistance (CSFA) Program offers loans and grants to full- and part-time students to help pay for tuition. This program works with provinces and territories to provide financial student aid. You will need to apply with your province or territory of residence, and the amount you’re eligible for is calculated when you apply.
When you graduate, there is a six-month grace period where you will not be required to make loan repayments. But when the six months are up, you will need to begin making loan payments. Within this grace period, you will receive information about your payment options and terms.
Banks
If a government-backed student loan is not enough to cover your tuition, you may consider applying for a student loan from a bank or credit union. Banks offer loans and lines of credit to students who need financial assistance to cover the cost of post-secondary education.
Keep in mind that student loans and lines of credit through banks are more difficult to get approved for because banks tend to have strict lending criteria. You may need a cosigner to help you get approved depending on your credit score and income.
Further, bank loans and credit lines may come with higher interest rates than government-backed loans, making them more expensive. But if you have a healthy credit score and finances, you may qualify for a lower rate and more flexible terms.
Bank Student Loan
Bank student loans provide a lump sum of money that must be repaid via regular installments over a set period. Some banks also allow interest-only payments while you’re still in school and following graduation for a temporary amount of time.
Bank Line Of Credit
Banks also offer student lines of credit. Rather than a lump sum, a line of credit comes with a specific credit limit that you can borrow from on an as-needed basis. You can tap into the credit line as often as you like, as long as you stay within the credit limit.
You can make principal payments whenever you can or want, and interest is only charged on the amount withdrawn, not on the full credit limit.
Private Loans
If you cannot qualify for a student loan from a bank or credit union because of bad credit or other issues with your finances, a private lender may be a better option. Private lenders offer personal loans for students and typically have more flexible lending criteria, making them easier to qualify for. That said, these types of lenders often charge higher interest rates compared to traditional lenders, making them more expensive.
Final Thoughts
A high school diploma will help you get your foot in the door when it comes to getting a job. But if you didn’t go to high school or never finished your studies, A GED may be a good alternative. It can help open the doors to job opportunities and may even be enough to pursue post-secondary studies.
