Durham College Profile

Four decades of people, progress and pride

Since its humble beginnings in 1967 with 205 students, 14 faculty and 16 portables, Durham College has steadily evolved into the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who succeed in a challenging, supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Focused on student success, Durham College's goal is to provide students with the quality learning experiences and support required to ensure they have the market-ready skills needed to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. That's reflected in the college's mission statement: The student experience comes first at Durham College. Each year, the college welcomes more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands more in part-time studies and almost 1,600 apprentices.

Wonderfully diverse campus environments empower all faculty, staff and students to achieve their highest potential without fear of prejudice or bias. The growing number of international students adds a rich cultural texture to the community.

Durham 's more than 42,000 alumni are made up of men and women who've gone on to enjoy great success in their careers, communities and personal lives.

High-quality programs shaped by market needs

Durham College offers approximately 80 post-secondary programs in the areas of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades and Technology; Business, Information Technology and Management; Career Development and Continuing Education; Communication, Language and General Studies; Health and Community Services; Justice and Emergency Services; and Media, Arts and Design. In addition, Durham College offers 17 apprenticeship programs, 11 of which are Red Seal and trade-related certificates. All programs are continually shaped by market needs and delivered by exceptional teachers with real-world experience. Students learn from the latest technology used by employers and graduate with the skills they need to be employed.

Helpful services and proven grad success

Durham offers a wide array of success-oriented student services, which range from financial aid to academic counselling, and support for individuals with disabilities. Hired Career Services provides students and graduates with a portal to search for internship, co-op and employment opportunities, sign up for the Job Watch system, schedule career advising appointments, register for employment recruitment and information sessions and create an online resumé and portfolio for employers to access.

Thanks to generous contributions from businesses, industry, service organizations, alumni, and many others, students can take advantage of more than $2 million in scholarships and bursaries.

Furthermore, the college's Employer Guarantee backs graduates working full-time, part-time and on contract. If an employer finds that a graduate lacks the skills normally acquired in their program, Durham College provides additional training and full tuition for one Durham College course credit for up to one year after they graduate.

Growing for tomorrow

Development continues at the vibrant Oshawa campus to allow for the growing needs of the college and for the flourishing University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) community.

Most recently, a 90,000-square-foot Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre expansion opened, featuring a 10,000-square-foot fitness centre, two aerobic/dance studios, two training rooms for sports training and fitness-related classes, student and staff locker rooms complete with saunas , and a 28,000-sq.-ft. triple gymnasium with an elevated running track and seating capacity for 2,000 spectators. It is also home to the Campus Health Centre, which provides students, faculty and staff with access to on-site doctors, nurses, counsellors and a variety of other health services such as massage therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, nutritional counselling and chiropractic and orthotic care. There is also a full-service pharmacy.

Durham College shares other athletic facilities with UOIT, including the Campus Tennis Centre and its six clay courts, and the Campus Ice Centre, which features two NHL-sized ice pads with seating for 500 and 200 people, 10 change rooms, a sport pro shop, a community room, a full-service restaurant, snack bar and catering.

Our campuses

The Oshawa campus houses a North American award-winning Campus Library, Integrated Manufacturing Centre, Centre for Integrated Justice Studies, state-of-the-art dental and nursing labs, a 200-seat computer learning commons and extensive wired and wireless access to support a national award-winning Mobile Learning program, which includes a laptop for all students in a number of programs.

Since 1993, the nationally acclaimed Durham College Skills Training Centre, at the Whitby campus, has provided apprentices and post-secondary students in priority sectors with the critical skills and knowledge that drive personal success and economic growth in Durham Region and beyond. The Whitby campus is located on 29 acres and offers in excess of 200,000 square feet of classroom and shop floor space.

For a complete list of Durham College campuses, click here or go to the General Information and Terminology section of this handbook, located here.

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