Conestoga College's Cambridge Campus, located on Fountain Street, offers admission to international and domestic students with strong STEM backgrounds and a focus on hands-on learning. The campus follows a first-qualified-first-admitted model, meaning early applicants with complete documents have a better chance of securing seats, especially in high-demand engineering, automation, and trades programs. International students must meet academic and English proficiency criteria, submit all required documents, and then apply for a Canadian study permit after receiving their Letter of Acceptance (LOA).

Tuition fees for international students range from CAD 16,200 to CAD 17,500 per year, depending on the program, with additional costs for books, tools, health insurance, and living expenses (CAD 10,000–13,000 per year).

Step 1: Choose a suitable program

You need to choose the program you want to study at Conestoga College Cambridge Campus (Fountain Street).

The campus offers:

Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs
Graduate Certificate programs
Certificates and Trades programs
Apprenticeship and co-op integrated programs

Programs are mainly in engineering, technology, and trades such as:

Mechanical Engineering Technology (Advanced Diploma, Co-op)
Electrical Engineering Technician (Diploma)
Automation & Robotics, Industrial Automation, Alternative Energy Systems
HVAC Technician, Welding Techniques, Construction Trades & Techniques
Embedded Systems Development, Process Quality Engineering (Graduate Certificates)

Step 2: Prepare application documents

To apply to Conestoga College Cambridge Campus, students must gather all essential documents required for admission. These documents help verify eligibility based on the student’s academic background and international credentials.

You will typically need:

Grade 10 & 12 mark sheets / high school diploma (for diploma/certificate)
Degree transcripts and certificate (for graduate certificates)
Certified English translations if documents are not in English
English proficiency test results (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo)
Valid passport (photo & detail pages)
Updated resume (mandatory for graduate certificates and some diplomas)
Statement of purpose / motivation letter (for competitive programs like Automation, Embedded Systems)
Work experience letters (if 1–2 years’ experience is preferred)
ICES/WES credential evaluation (if requested)

Step 3: Submit application and pay application fee

You must apply online via the Ontario Colleges Application Service (ontariocolleges.ca).

Create an OCAS account and select Conestoga College – Cambridge Campus and your chosen program(s).
Upload scanned copies of all academic and identification documents.
Pay the non-refundable application fee of CAD 125 applicable to all international applicants.
Ensure you apply early—ideally 6–9 months before intake—as Conestoga follows first-qualified-first-admitted and popular STEM programs fill quickly.

Step 4: Application assessment and possible interview

After submitting your application, Conestoga reviews your documents and evaluates your eligibility.

Academic equivalency is checked (10+2, diplomas, degrees, ICES/WES if needed).
English language scores are verified against minimum program requirements.
Some programs may require:
1. An interview (especially for graduate certificates such as Embedded Systems, PQE)
2. An aptitude or math test (for certain engineering/technology programs)
3. Additional documents like portfolios (for design-related streams, if any)

Assessment usually takes 4–6 weeks. If successful, you receive a conditional or unconditional Letter of Acceptance (LOA).

Step 5: Finalise admission with fee payment

Once accepted, you must confirm your seat by paying the required tuition deposit.

Pay the deposit of CAD 2,500–5,000 within the deadline (often 21 days post-offer).
After the deposit, you may receive an updated fee schedule or confirmation letter.
Total annual tuition ranges from CAD 16,200 to CAD 17,500 per year, depending on program.
You should also budget for:
1. CAD 1,000–1,500/year for books and tools
2. CAD 700/year for health insurance
3. CAD 10,000–13,000/year for living expenses

Only after paying the deposit and receiving the official LOA should you proceed to the visa stage.

Step 6: Apply for a study permit and arrange travel

After final admission confirmation, international students must apply for a Canadian study permit.

Submit your application via IRCC with:
1. Passport and LOA from Conestoga
2. Academic transcripts and English test scores
3. Proof of funds (including GIC of CAD 20,635 per year as per SDS guidelines)
4. Passport-size photographs and other forms required by IRCC
You may undergo a medical exam and provide biometrics.
Average visa processing time is 8–12 weeks (varies by country).
Once your study permit is approved, book travel to arrive before Orientation Week and complete:
1. Full tuition payment (if any balance remains)
2. Housing arrangements in Cambridge/Kitchener
3. Registration for co-op orientation (if your program includes co-op)

Conestoga offers guidance through its International Students portal and support services for arrival, orientation, and settlement in Cambridge.

Important Dates

The table below has all the important dates for Conestoga College Cambridge Campus 2026 intake (approximate):

Events	Dates	Notes
Applications Open (All Intakes)	October 1, 2025	Priority for co-op & STEM programs
Equal Consideration Deadline (Fall)	February 1, 2026	Guaranteed review of complete applications
Winter Intake Deadline	October 15, 2025	Limited engineering/trades intakes
Summer Intake Deadline	February 1, 2026	Mostly trades-focused programs
Offers Issued	November 2025 – July 2026	Rolling offers; earlier = better chances
Tuition Deposit Due	21 days post-offer	Minimum CAD 2,500 deposit
Final Documents Deadline (Fall)	July 15, 2026	Final transcripts & English scores
Scholarship Applications Close	April 15, 2026	Entrance awards for internationals
Orientation Week (Fall)	August 31 – September 4, 2026	Mandatory for international students
Fall Classes Begin	September 8, 2026	Winter break from Dec 2026 – Jan 2027

FAQs

Ques: What are the general admission criteria for international students at Conestoga College Cambridge Campus?

Ans: International applicants need at least 65% in 10+2 (PCM/PCB) for diplomas/certificates or 60% in a relevant diploma/degree for graduate certificates, plus English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0 or equivalent). They must be 18+ for most programs and provide all required documents.

Ques: Which English proficiency tests are accepted for admission?

Ans: Conestoga accepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Duolingo English Test. Typical minimums: IELTS 6.5 (no band < 6.0), TOEFL iBT 88, PTE 58, and Duolingo 115.

Ques: What qualifications are required from Indian curriculum students?

Ans: Students from CBSE/ICSE or state boards need 10+2 with at least 65% overall (especially in Math, Physics, Chemistry/Biology) for most diplomas. For competitive programs like Automation & Robotics or Industrial Automation, a 70%+ STEM profile is often recommended.

Ques: Do I need SAT, NEET, or GRE scores for admission?

Ans: No. Conestoga College does not require SAT, NEET, or GRE. Admission is based on school/college marks, English proficiency, and program-specific requirements such as math/physics background or work experience.

Ques: How competitive is admission for international students?

Ans: The overall acceptance rate is around 80–85%, but high-demand engineering and automation programs can be more competitive. International applicants with strong STEM marks (70%+), good English scores, and early, complete applications have a much better chance of getting admitted.

Conestoga College, Cambridge Campus:Requirements, Application Deadlines & Fees