In Toronto, you don’t have to go to a university or college every day to get a quality education. Many students master a new profession or upgrade their qualifications online, right from home or any other convenient location. This is especially comfortable for those who are working, raising children, living far from campus, or have only recently moved to Canada and want to start with something. More at toronto1.one.
In this article, we’ll explain how remote learning works in Toronto, what opportunities it offers, and where to start for those just considering online education.
Courses, MOOCs, and Certificates
In Toronto, online programs are available at most major educational institutions. This means you can study university-level subjects without even living in Canada. For example, the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, and York University have already created dozens of remote courses and full certificate programs. This type of learning is convenient for those who want to get a new education or gain additional knowledge but are unable to study in person. Additionally, students in Toronto have access to online programs at colleges like George Brown and Seneca. These include courses in business, marketing, UX design, nursing, and other practical fields. Short-term certificate programs usually last a few months, allowing for a quick knowledge update.
Many Canadian universities also collaborate with international platforms like Coursera or edX. For example, instructors from the University of Toronto on Coursera offer over 30 courses (from programming fundamentals to psychology). After completing them, students receive certificates that can be added to their resume or LinkedIn profile. In general, online learning is structured so that everyone can learn at their own pace. Lectures are often recorded, and while there are deadlines for assignments, there is no strict time commitment.
Support and Tools for Online Learning
For remote learning to work as it should, it’s not just the program that matters, but also how convenient it is for the student to use. Universities and colleges in Toronto have long taken this into account: they provide not just access to video lectures, but a complete digital ecosystem with support at every stage.
In most universities, learning takes place through online platforms such as:
- Quercus at the University of Toronto – this is their own system based on Canvas, where all learning materials, schedules, assignments, and discussion forums are stored.
- Brightspace (D2L) is actively used at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, George Brown College, and other institutions. Everything is integrated here: presentations, tests, videos, even Zoom links.
- Some institutions, like Humber College, combine learning in Moodle with their own custom developments.
Another important resource is virtual libraries. Even from home, you can read textbooks and search for articles in academic databases like JSTOR, EBSCO, ProQuest. All you need is a student login. Universities also prepare guides for remote students explaining how to use the platforms, where to find materials, and who to contact with questions. Additionally, every educational institution has a technical support service that is available almost around the clock. For example, at TMU, the IT Help Desk is responsible for this; at York, it’s Learning Technology Services; and George Brown College has its own Student Help Centre. They can be contacted not only with questions about learning platforms but also for help with accounts, Zoom, Teams, and other services.
Special mention goes to Contact North | Contact Nord – Ontario’s online education network. Through it, students from any region can access remote programs and find the right course among more than 1,500 offerings from colleges and universities. In addition, the Contact North team provides consultations in English, French, and Ukrainian, and operates learning centres located even in the most remote parts of the province.
Why Are Students Increasingly Choosing Remote Learning?
In Toronto, more and more students are consciously switching to remote learning. What was once just a solution during quarantine has now become about convenience and comfort. Some work, some care for relatives, and for others, it’s simply important to have a flexible schedule and not waste time commuting, for example. Online classes are often recorded, so you can return to them again and again when needed. This is a huge help, especially if you need to combine studies with work. In fact, according to a York University survey, most of their online students work part-time or even full-time.
Another reason is expensive housing. Renting in Toronto is difficult. Prices are high, so not everyone can afford a room or apartment in the metropolis. That’s why some students stay at home, even in another city or country, and complete their studies online.
There are also those who are simply more comfortable learning from home. Without the noise of the campus, without extra stress. In this format, it’s easier to concentrate, choose a comfortable pace, and avoid burnout.