Mohawk College (Hamilton): Tuition, Programmes & PGWP Guide for International Students

Mohawk College is a public college of applied arts and technology in Hamilton, Ontario, about an hour from Toronto. It offers more than 160 programmes, including diplomas, certificates, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and collaborative degrees with McMaster University, and it is known for engineering technology, health, skilled trades, business, and computing. Its main campus is Fennell, with others including the Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster and the Stoney Creek trades campus. This guide covers what international students should know: fees, English requirements, programmes, outcomes, and the rules for Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Mohawk College, a public college in Hamilton, Ontario
• Campuses: Fennell (main), Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster, and Stoney Creek
• Programmes: more than 160, including diplomas, certificates, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and collaborative degrees
• 2026-27 international tuition and base fees (third-party): from about C$18,605 a year, including tuition, mandatory health insurance, and ancillary fees
• English: IELTS 6.0 for diplomas and 6.5 for graduate certificates
• Application fee: C$100, covering up to two programme choices
• Outcomes: 88.4% of graduates employed within six months (reported)

Rankings and reputation

Mohawk is a college, not a university, so it is not in university rankings. It is known in Ontario for applied engineering technology, health programmes, and skilled trades, and for industry partnerships. Judge it on programme accreditation, co-op or placements, and outcomes.

Academics and signature programs

Mohawk offers two- and three-year diplomas, one-year graduate certificates for students with a prior degree, and collaborative degrees with McMaster University in areas such as nursing. Many programmes include co-op or field placements. Ask whether your programme leads to professional certification, such as engineering technology accreditation.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission depends on academic results and English. Graduate certificates require a prior diploma or degree. After admission, international students apply for a study permit, and most college students need a provincial attestation letter.

English language requirements

• Diplomas: IELTS 6.0
• Graduate certificates: IELTS 6.5
• Some health programmes may require more
• Mohawk offers English language programmes for students below the requirement

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, and passport details, with a C$100 application fee covering up to two programme choices. Ask about the deposit and attestation letter.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Third-party sources put 2026-27 international tuition and base fees at about C$18,605 a year for most programmes, including tuition, mandatory health insurance, and ancillary fees. Some programmes cost more. Mohawk publishes its fees on its international fees and payments page.

Estimated living costs

• Study-permit applicants must show funds for tuition, travel, and living costs, and the required amount is updated periodically
• International students can generally work a limited number of hours per week off campus during term under current rules
• Winters are cold, so budget for winter clothing
• Housing near campus can be limited, so arrange it early
• Public transit and student passes reduce commuting costs in most cities

Scholarships

I could not confirm specific international scholarship amounts at Mohawk. Ask about entrance awards and bursaries.

Campus life and student support

Hamilton is a city of about 600,000 at the western end of Lake Ontario, with lower rents than Toronto, waterfalls and trails along the Niagara Escarpment, and GO Transit trains to Toronto. Mohawk's Fennell campus is on the Hamilton Mountain. Ask about housing and transport.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Hamilton's economy includes health care, advanced manufacturing, steel, logistics, and education. Mohawk reports 88.4% of graduates employed within six months. For international students, the key question is whether your programme leads to a Post-Graduation Work Permit under current rules.

Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit

Graduates of eligible programs at designated learning institutions can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, whose length generally depends on the program length up to three years. Canada has tightened rules, including language requirements and, for some program types, field-of-study conditions, and it caps new study permits, so confirm the current rules with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and ask the institution whether your program qualifies.

PGWP rules for college programmes

Since late 2024, Canada has tied Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility for many college programmes to fields of study linked to labour shortages, while university degrees are generally exempt from the field-of-study rule. Check IRCC's current list of eligible fields and confirm with Mohawk that your programme qualifies before you apply. Language requirements also apply to PGWP applicants.

Graduate certificates

Ontario graduate certificates are one-year programmes for students who already have a diploma or degree, focused on specific job skills. They are popular with international students, but a one-year programme usually gives a shorter PGWP than a two-year diploma. Consider how programme length affects your work permit.

Common mistakes applicants make

Applicants sometimes enrol in a programme that is not PGWP-eligible, rely on old tuition figures, or miss the provincial attestation letter step. Check these points before accepting an offer.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students need health coverage, which may be through a provincial plan after a waiting period or a university plan, so ask what applies. Budget for the study permit fee, flights, winter clothing, and a housing deposit, and arrange housing early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, registration, and adapting to Canadian classroom culture, which values participation and regular assignments. Students who use tutoring, writing support, and co-op advising early tend to settle faster.

A realistic budget

At about C$18,605 a year, a two-year diploma costs about C$37,000 plus living costs of about C$15,000 to C$18,000 a year. A one-year graduate certificate costs less but gives a shorter PGWP.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Is my programme PGWP-eligible under current field-of-study rules?
• What are the tuition and fees for my programme?
• Do I need a provincial attestation letter?
• Does my programme include co-op?
• Does it lead to professional certification?
• What housing is available near my campus?

Who Mohawk College suits best

Mohawk suits students who want practical, career-focused college training in health, technology, trades, or business near Toronto. It may suit less well students who want a university degree or whose programme is not PGWP-eligible.

Mohawk compared with Ontario universities

Universities award degrees and often have broader PGWP eligibility, while colleges like Mohawk offer shorter, cheaper, applied programmes. Compare qualification, cost, and PGWP eligibility.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and confirm entry requirements.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and obtain the documents needed for your study permit.
5. Apply for your study permit and arrange insurance.
6. Book housing and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, English results, and proof of funds, and start the study-permit process early because processing times vary. Keep written confirmation of fees and scholarships.

Collaborative degrees with McMaster

Mohawk and McMaster University run collaborative programmes, such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, where students study at both institutions and receive a McMaster degree. These programmes are competitive and may have limited international places. Ask about eligibility.

Life in Hamilton

Hamilton offers lower rents than Toronto, a growing arts scene, and more than 100 waterfalls in and around the city. GO Transit trains and buses link Hamilton with Toronto, making it possible to live in Hamilton and access the Toronto job market. Winters are cold and snowy.

Skilled trades and apprenticeships

Mohawk's Stoney Creek campus trains students in trades such as electrical, plumbing, and welding. International students can take some pre-apprenticeship and trades diplomas, but apprenticeship registration and work rules differ. Ask which trades programmes are open to international students and whether they are PGWP-eligible.

How Mohawk compares on cost

At about C$18,605 a year including base fees, Mohawk is cheaper than most Ontario universities for international students, and Hamilton's rents are lower than Toronto's. The trade-off is a college credential and, for many programmes, PGWP field-of-study limits.

Health programmes at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences

Mohawk's health programmes, such as medical laboratory science and radiation therapy, are taught at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences on McMaster's campus. Many lead to regulated professions with their own certification exams. Ask about international places and certification rules.

Frequently asked questions