How Long Does It Take To Finish College?

College can feel like a massive commitment. It takes money, energy, and, most of all, time. Although everyone’s paths will be different, it’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into. 

How long is college, exactly? It depends on the program, but it usually takes at least three years to complete an Undergraduate Degree, and that’s at an accelerated rate. Diploma programs take one to two years to complete, and a Master’s Degree takes a total of six years. 

In this post, we break down how long different post-secondary education programs take, what a semester looks like, and how long Robertson College programs take in comparison. Keep reading to learn more.

How Long Does It Take To Finish College?

A full-time Degree program with a full course load will take an average of five years to complete college. 

Of course, there’s a great deal of variance. Some people may choose to study part time, take time off between semesters, or pursue an accelerated program, impacting how long it takes to finish college. The program itself will also impact the time it takes, such as whether you pursue a Diploma vs. Certificate vs. Degree program.

In addition, some people may be able to finish college faster depending on their education level upon starting a program. Some students will have high school or post-secondary credits that can transfer, reducing the number of courses needed to complete a program. Depending on when you took previous courses, you may even need to retake some courses if the curriculum has changed. 

Here’s how long different programs generally take, with a full course load and no interruptions:

• Diploma programs: 1-2 years
• Associate Degree: 2 years
• Bachelor’s Degree: 4 years
• Master’s Degree: 6 years
  • 4 years for Undergraduate
  • + 2 years for Master’s Degree
• Doctorate: 9-11 years
  • 4 years for Undergraduate +
  • 2 years for Master’s, + 3-5 years for Doctorate 

How Long Is College in Canada? 

College in Canada can refer to any post-secondary education, such as an Undergraduate Degree, Master’s Degree, Diploma, or Certificate. These programs can take anywhere from several months for a Certificate to eight years or more for a Master’s or other professional Degrees. 

There are many different routes to take, depending on the field of study you’re interested in. For example, if you want to work in veterinary medicine, you could take Robertson’s nine-month Veterinary Assistant Diploma program. You could also complete a two-year program to become a Veterinary Technician. Or, you could become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, which takes approximately seven years. 

How Long Is a College Semester? 

A college semester is typically four months long, but it depends on the program. Though this is the traditional format for college semesters, it can vary by program and school. 

For example, at many of the best online colleges in Canada, students can choose their own pacing and, therefore, won’t follow traditional semesters. In contrast, the typical university semester includes approximately 15 weeks of courses, usually with a week off mid-semester. Once classes end, there are several weeks of scheduled exams. 

How Many Weeks Are in a Semester?

Semesters are typically 15-17 weeks, with time at the end for exams. Full-time students take five courses or 15 credits per semester. To be considered full time in a regular college program, students are generally required to take four courses per semester; anything less is considered part time. 

How Many Semesters Are in a Year? 

A typical college program has two primary semesters: fall and spring. There’s also a summer semester, but fewer courses are usually available. 

The fall semester typically starts from late August to early September and ends in December. The spring semester starts in January and ends in May. Classes end several weeks before the official end of the semester, allowing time for exams.

Some schools may divide the year into trimesters, or three learning periods — including fall, winter, and spring trimesters — making each trimester approximately 12 weeks. Others may even divide the year into quarters, each about 10 weeks. 

How Long Are Programs at Robertson College?

Program lengths at Robertson vary. We offer self-paced, online micro-courses that take anywhere from 10 to 100 hours. Our Diploma programs take five to 19 months, with our five-month Health Care Aide bridging program being the shortest and our 19-month Early Childhood Education program being the longest. 

With such a variety, you can choose a program based on your interests, desired time investment, and what type of learner you are. Robertson also offers a combination of learning options, including in-person, online, hybrid, and practicum opportunities. 

So, how long is college at Robertson? As a career college, Robertson focuses on giving students a thorough, hands-on education that will set them up for lifelong career success. Our goal is to do this in as little time as required for students so they can start working in their desired fields as quickly as possible. 

Learn more about how Robertson supports lifelong career growth through our Workforce Team.