Pursuing construction management in Canada can be a smart move to build a successful career, considering the country’s high-ranked institutions and flourishing job prospects in the field. Construction management involves supervision, design, planning, and management of building and construction projects.
Such ventures span various sectors, including commercial, residential, agricultural, institutional, and others. With many institutions available, finding suitable construction management courses in Canada is not a difficult task.
Reasons for studying construction management in Canada
Here are some of the reasons for studying construction management courses in Canada:
Construction management universities in Canada are among the best in the world in this field. Several postgraduates, certificate, and diploma options are available for international students.
International students can also work while studying in the country without applying for a work visa separately.
Visa policies in Canada are student-friendly, hassle-free and simple.
Tuition costs are comparatively reasonable than courses in the USA and the UK, among other global nations.
Recommended Read: BBA in Canada
Construction Management Universities in Canada
Many universities offer courses in construction management in Canada. They include:
University of British Columbia- Construction management courses are available at this renowned institution.
Dalhousie University- The university situated in Nova Scotia offers construction management certificate programs with three modules. It has campuses in Halifax, Saint John, New Brunswick, and Bible Hill. The course covers project scheduling, planning, contracts, time management, quality assurance, communication management, resource allocation, costs, risk management, project closing, and more.
University of Calgary- The University of Calgary offers a certificate in professional management specializing in construction management. This university is situated in Calgary, Alberta, and was founded in 1944. The courses are Gold Seal certification accredited for this program. They are also Blue Seal accredited.
Carleton University- Carleton University offers Construction Management courses for students interested in pursuing the course.
You can opt for a full-time 2-year construction management degree in Canada or even a diploma or certificate program. There are options for construction project management in Canada or courses offering project management certification specializing in construction management. MBA degree programs are also available in construction management and regular postgraduate degrees. Some colleges also offer bachelor’s degrees in construction management.
Some universities and colleges also offer short-term courses, as mentioned. The programs in this field adopt a unique and multidisciplinary outlook towards grooming students in not only the technical aspects of the field but also financial requirements, risk management, legal aspects, development, statutory guidelines, and more. The courses are tailored towards enabling students to learn about the various facets of handling expensive projects spanning multiple categories and domains.
Here is a list of top construction management colleges in Canada:
George Brown College- George Brown College offers several construction management courses, including MBA programs and diplomas. The college is known for its unique and flexible study programs for international aspirants, with four campuses and a student-friendly ambiance.
St. Clair College- Founded in 1966, St. Clair College has recognition from the Ontario Association of Technicians and Technologists. It has consistently been ranked as one of the top colleges for construction management in Canada, providing diploma courses in construction management and project management.
Seneca College- Seneca College is recognized as one of Canada’s top institutions for construction management. It is a large institution with more than 100,000 students enrolled in Toronto. There are many construction management and project management courses catering to almost all needs, blending both theoretical and practical aspects.
Centennial College- This well-known institution offers courses like Introduction to Construction Management and Construction Project Management, among other options.
Fanshawe College- The Fanshawe College offers a course in construction project management for students interested in pursuing the course.
Canadore College- Canadore College has construction project management course for interested applicants.
Conestoga College- This college has its own Construction Management (Optional Co-op) course and a Construction Project Management course that is full-time.
Lambton College- This college offers a Construction Project Management course for its students.
Humber College- Humber College has courses in Construction Project Management and Construction Engineering Technology on offer for international students.
Sheridan College- Sheridan College offers courses in Construction Technology, Project Management, and Commercial Construction Management.
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)- This institution offers a Bachelor’s degree in construction management. This degree provides the third and fourth years of a four-year bachelor’s course. The applicants should have post-secondary training of two years before obtaining admission. The available courses include Construction Management, Budgeting/Conceptual Estimating, Building-Civil Services, and Risk Management in Design and Construction of Buildings.
Red River College – This college is situated in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada and is the biggest institution for applied research and learning with more than 200 diploma, degree, and certificate programs to offer. It has a course in Engineering and Construction Technology with construction management specialization.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers various courses at its campuses spread across Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and Regina. It is also one of the few institutions in Canada that offer a Bachelor of Construction Management course.
There is immense scope of construction management in Canada since it is a well-known civil engineering division. The construction and building sector are the biggest contributors to the national economy. There are several construction management jobs in Canada with attractive starting salaries for skilled graduates. Available positions include site engineers, project managers, construction managers, and more. One of the biggest advantages of pursuing construction management in Canada is that the degrees will be globally recognized, opening more opportunities.
Indian students completing these courses can expect to earn a handsome construction management salary in Canada of INR 20-30 lakhs per annum. Construction management courses in the country are a mixture of industry exposure, development of practical skills, and theoretical development. This naturally helps in the growth of well-rounded and practically sound construction managers.
Application Procedure
The application procedure is similar for all the study intakes in the country. Here is a step-wise guide for you:
Go to the official website of your chosen college or university.
Carefully check the requirements in terms of overall eligibility and the curricula.
Once all requirements are fulfilled, make sure that you click on the application form and create your account with your email address or mobile phone number.
Get your SMS or email on your registered mobile phone number with the verification or log-in details.
Use your login details and enter all personal information like gender, name, and date of birth.
Enter academic qualifications while uploading all vital documents.
Choose your course and make your application fee payment.
The application fee varies for every institution and may be paid online via internet banking or credit/debit cards.
Submit the application form online and track the same status via the online account.
Those selected will have to go through virtual interviews or other selection rounds if deemed necessary by the university.
Once your application has been processed, you can start your visa application procedure.
Construction management programs are more job-focused and prepare students for fulfilling careers in various business fields. Those working as construction managers can earn up to CAD 92,752 annually or roughly INR 56-57 lakh, while those working as project managers can earn upwards of CAD 82,801 or INR 50-51 lakh per year. Building control surveyor jobs pay CAD 65448 or INR 39-40 lakh per year, while sustainability consultants earn CAD 64627 or INR 39-40 lakh every year. Site engineers earn CAD 67443 per year or INR 40-41 lakh. These are median salaries, and the figures may increase or decrease a little, depending upon the candidate’s qualifications, work location, employer, and other factors.
Is Canada good for a construction management course?
Canada is one of the best places to study construction management. Several universities and colleges offer bachelor and postgraduate courses in construction management along with MBA programs, diplomas, and certificate courses. These institutions are highly ranked worldwide and offer a diverse curriculum packed with industry exposure and practical training. Construction is one of the biggest drivers of the Canadian economy, meaning that there is high demand for skilled graduates in this field.
How do you become a construction manager in Canada?
You can become a construction manager in Canada by completing your postgraduate or MBA degree in the field. Ideally, you should gain a few years of experience as a field superintendent, assistant, or construction supervisor. Thereafter, you can find employment as a construction manager at any leading company in the country.
Why is construction project management needed?
Construction project management is necessary since project managers play vital roles in successful implementation and completion of any project. They are the ones who manage teams, communicate with the higher management and workers, and remain accountable for the entire procedure and its completion. Planning, scheduling, execution, tracking, and problem-solving are key job responsibilities of project managers. Their strategies help keep projects running and off the ground while adhering to budgetary and regulatory requirements. They hold responsibility for timely project delivery and adherence to all necessary quality standards.
Who makes more money, a civil engineer or construction manager?
The civil engineer, in most cases, will earn more money than construction managers of projects. Several construction managers will make a part of their salary as a profit-sharing ratio, and this will naturally be a little more risky than civil engineers. They will make a fixed quantum, while the rest will be paid if the project is profitable for the company. However, in most cases, the differences between civil engineer and construction manager salaries are not significant.
Rakhee Talukdar is an edtech expert with five years of experience in the education technology sector, focusing on K-12 and higher education systems in various countries, including Canada, USA, Finland, France, and Germany. Her background includes founding a startup and working with early-stage educational ventures, giving her a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities within these educational landscapes. Additionally, Rakhee specializes in helping students craft compelling Statements of Purpose (SOPs) for studying abroad, leveraging her insights into different education systems to guide students in articulating their academic and professional goals effectively. Her comprehensive knowledge and strategic approach make her a valuable resource for students navigating their educational journeys and financial planning.