Practical Nursing at Algonquin is an Ontario College Diploma, offered at the Ottawa, Perth, and Pembroke campuses, and it carries a specific, named step for many international applicants that doesn't apply to most of Algonquin's other diploma programs: a preparatory course called Introduction to Canadian Health Studies (ICHS).
This article covers the entry requirements for Practical Nursing specifically, cost, admission requirements, the IELTS requirement, the ICHS pathway, and PGWP eligibility.
Entry Requirements
Algonquin does not publish an acceptance rate for Practical Nursing, consistent with the rest of the college's documentation-and-threshold admissions model. For 2026/2027, programme eligibility requires:
- English Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with 65% or higher
- Mathematics Grade 12 (MAP4C or equivalent) with 65% or higher
- Biology Grade 11 or 12 with 65% or higher
- Chemistry Grade 11 or 12 with 65% or higher
These subject-specific grade thresholds sit above the general secondary-diploma requirement Algonquin applies to most other diploma programs, reflecting Nursing's status as a regulated, clinically placed credential.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Practical Nursing follows Algonquin's general international tuition range; the college does not publish a separately higher headline figure specifically for Nursing distinct from its general diploma band.
| Cost item | Estimate (per 8-month academic year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition + compulsory fees | $17,225 to $23,000 |
| Application fee (one-time) | $135 CAD |
For the full cost picture, living estimates for Ottawa, and Algonquin's fee estimator tool, see the Algonquin guide.
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, with English Grade 12, Math Grade 12, Biology, and Chemistry each at 65% or higher
- English proficiency score meeting the diploma-level threshold (see below)
- Completed International Application Form and $135 CAD non-refundable application fee
- International applicants who meet programme eligibility complete a 4-month preparatory course, Introduction to Canadian Health Studies (ICHS), before proceeding to the Practical Nursing programme itself
How to Get Into Algonquin's Practical Nursing Programme
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Meet all four subject-specific grade minimums, not just an overall average. Because English, Math, Biology, and Chemistry each need 65% or higher individually, a strong overall transcript with one weak science grade can still fall short.
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Plan for the ICHS pathway as a real, additional step, not a formality. This four-month preparatory course adds time to your overall timeline before you start the Practical Nursing programme itself, so factor it into your planning rather than assuming direct entry.
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Clear the IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) bar with margin. This is Algonquin's health-programme-specific threshold, higher than its general diploma minimum of 6.0, reflecting the communication demands of clinical placements.
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Apply early. Healthcare programmes at Ontario colleges typically have limited clinical placement capacity, and Canada's 2024 national study permit cap has made seat competition tighter across the board.
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Confirm your program's current PGWP status directly before enrolling. Eligibility rules can shift between intakes, so check Algonquin's own PGWP program list for the cycle you're applying to.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Practical Nursing: an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This is higher than Algonquin's general diploma-level minimum of IELTS 6.0, reflecting the health-programme-specific standard the college applies to Nursing and related clinical programmes.
For Algonquin's full TOEFL/CAEL/Duolingo table and general waiver policy, see the Algonquin guide.
Career Outcomes and PGWP Relevance
Practical Nursing is PGWP-eligible, either by meeting IRCC's field-of-study criteria (healthcare is on the long-term-shortage list IRCC applies to non-degree college programs as of November 1, 2024) or through a degree-level exemption introduced March 11, 2025. This is a meaningful distinction from some of Algonquin's other diploma programs, including its standalone Business diploma, which is not currently PGWP-eligible.
Graduates of Practical Nursing typically move toward registration as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in Ontario through the College of Nurses of Ontario, a separate regulatory step from both your diploma and your PGWP eligibility. Confirm current registration requirements directly with the College of Nurses of Ontario if practicing as a nurse in Canada is your goal.
FAQ
Is Algonquin's Practical Nursing diploma PGWP-eligible? Yes, either under IRCC's field-of-study criteria for healthcare or through a degree-level exemption, unlike Algonquin's standalone Business diploma, which is not currently eligible.
What grades do I need for Practical Nursing? English Grade 12, Math Grade 12, Biology, and Chemistry, each at 65% or higher.
What is the Introduction to Canadian Health Studies (ICHS) course? A 4-month preparatory course that eligible international applicants complete before proceeding into the Practical Nursing programme itself.
What IELTS score do I need? 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band, higher than Algonquin's general diploma minimum.
Can I register as a nurse in Canada right after graduating? Only after registering with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse, a separate step from your diploma and from PGWP eligibility.