Mining country. Northern College's main campus is in South Porcupine, part of Timmins, a city built on gold, and it has smaller campuses in Haileybury, Kirkland Lake and Moosonee on James Bay. The college teaches health, trades, mining and veterinary programmes suited to northern Ontario's economy. Some business and IT graduate certificates are delivered in Toronto through a partner campus, with different work-permit rules.
South Porcupine, Timmins, Ontario, Canada
Official website: northernc.on.ca
Public college of applied arts and technology
Timmins (South Porcupine)
Timmins, Haileybury, Kirkland Lake, Moosonee
CA$15,000 – CA$19,000
International students, diplomas and graduate certificates
CA$10,000 – CA$14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on northernc.on.ca before you apply.
Practical Nursing Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Mining Engineering Technician Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Veterinary Technician Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Heavy Equipment Technician Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Mining and heavy-equipment training close to working mines.
A veterinary technician programme at Haileybury.
Small classes and low rent in northern Ontario.
Graduates join the gold mines around Timmins and mining suppliers across the north.
Nursing graduates work at regional hospitals and long-term care homes.
Eligible graduates can apply for a post-graduation work permit; partner-campus rules differ.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Selected programmes
Postgrad
Selected programmes
Timmins is a spread-out mining city surrounded by boreal forest and lakes. The South Porcupine campus is on the east side, near Porcupine Lake.
Winters are long and very cold. Rent is far cheaper than in southern Ontario, and part-time work in retail and services is easy to find.
Letter of acceptance from Northern College
Ontario provincial attestation letter
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
Northern College accepts applications on a rolling basis. Apply six to eight months ahead so there's time for the study permit.
Most programmes start in September, with some in January.
A Canadian study permit. Start with the letter of acceptance from Northern College and, where required, the provincial attestation letter, then apply to IRCC online. Allow a few months, as processing times vary by country.
Practical nursing, mining engineering technician, veterinary technician and heavy equipment programmes are popular. Diplomas need a completed secondary school education with relevant maths or science and IELTS 6.0, or 6.5 for nursing.
Northern College has some entrance awards for international students. Check the scholarships page when you apply.
