International Students – Seminary
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR 2024-2025:
Heritage College & Seminary has been informed that due to the cap on international study permits that has been instituted by the Government of Canada, study permits will not be granted to international students applying to Heritage for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students may study from their home country via distance learning (synchronous or asynchronous online).
This information will be reassessed and updated for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Learn about how to begin your journey at Heritage College & Seminary (DLI#: O110124108754) by reviewing the information found on this page. Click on each step found below for more information. Please note: international students are recommended to begin their studies in the fall semester.
International Student Application Process
1) Select Your Program
Choose a program from our list of masters degrees, diplomas, and graduate certificates. International applicants are advised to begin the application process at least nine months before their planned enrollment date. Please contact our seminary admissions team for assistance with choosing a program.
2) Review Admission Requirements
Review the Seminary Admission Requirements for International Students, application deadlines, and tuition information.
- Fall Start – Applications must be completed by March 31
- Winter Start – Applications must be completed by July 31
You must also review the Heritage Theological Seminary Student Handbook and declare on your application form that you have read the Community Life Commitment section (Part B).
Note: additional fees concerning COVID-19 or other related needs may apply. Students must also meet all Government of Canada eligibility requirements at the time of travel: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/eligibility.html. Please contact our admissions team for more information on additional COVID-19 related fees or distance learning options.
3) Begin Your International Student Application Form and Submit Required Documents
International applicants must submit three references, proof of English language proficiency (see below for a list of accepted tests and scores), and official transcripts. Applications that are missing required documents will be considered incomplete. Important Note: submission of a completed application form and required documents do not guarantee admittance into Heritage.
i. Three References: Contact a pastor and two adult friends who know you and your walk with Christ and ask them to be references. References must be submitted directly to admissions@heritagecs.edu.
ii. Proof of English Language Proficiency: Proof of English language proficiency is normally required of all international applicants with the exception of citizens from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and countries of the West Indies (except Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Martinique, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, and St. Lucia).
Heritage only accepts scores from the following English language proficiency tests:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – iBT: Students must achieve a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT, and a minimum score of 20 on each of the four sections. Tests can be booked at https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/. Heritage’s institutional code is: 1498.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic: Students must achieve a minimum overall band score of 6.0 (6.0 in each band) on the IELTS Academic. Tests can be booked at https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/book-a-test.
- The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – General: Students must achieve a minimum level of 7 on the CELPIP-General. Tests can be booked at https://www.celpip.ca/.
Important note: Test scores must be sent directly to Heritage from the testing agency. Results submitted by applicants will be considered unofficial, and official results from the testing agency will still be required.
Heritage reserves the right to request an English proficiency test from all applicants as further proof of academic readiness.
iii. Official Transcripts: Applicants must submit transcripts from all previous educational experiences. Transcripts that are not written in English must be translated in full and notarized by an official translating company.
International applicants must also provide a credential evaluation report from World Educational Services (WES) Canada. Applicants must request a “WES ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation Report” and choose Heritage College and Seminary as the recipient. When your evaluation report is complete, WES will send your evaluation report along with a copy of your transcripts directly to Heritage. The official transcripts that Heritage receives from WES must match any transcripts provided by the applicant. Discrepancies between the official transcripts provided by WES and the transcripts provided by the applicant may affect the applicant’s eligibility to be enrolled at Heritage.
4) After You Are Accepted, Confirm Your Acceptance
Once you have confirmed your acceptance, you will receive a formal acceptance letter and a study permit letter from Heritage College & Seminary.
Students must check their eligibility to travel to Canada for in-person learning, as well as submit documentation and pay any additional COVID-19 related fees.
5) Apply for Your Study Permit
Study permit applications are processed and approved by the Government of Canada. For more information, or to apply for a study permit, visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) official website at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html. All international students must obtain a study permit to study at Heritage and will not be able to begin their studies until all necessary government documentation has been approved.
6) Plan Your Arrival
Once your study permit has been approved, you must prepare for your arrival to Canada by:
- Submitting a Copy of Your Documentation to the Registrar. Send us a copy of your study permit and passport. When you arrive on campus, we will ask to see your original travel documents for verification purposes only. Heritage College & Seminary will not, under any circumstances, retain or withhold a student’s passport or visa documentation.
- Registering for Courses: Contact the college admissions coordinator to register for classes.
- Reviewing, Completing, and Submitting Documents. Ensure all necessary documents and forms have been completed and submitted.
- Purchasing Extended Health Insurance. Upon acceptance into Heritage and approval of your study permit, Heritage will purchase extended health insurance for you. You will be billed directly for the full cost of the health insurance coverage.
- Organizing Your Accommodation. Heritage does not currently offer on-campus housing for seminary students. Students will be responsible for arranging off-campus accommodation prior to their arrival. For a list of available off-campus accommodations, please contact student services at ctalabis@heritagecs.edu. Note: if students plan on using their off-campus accommodation as their quarantine or self-isolation location, it must first be approved by Heritage.
- Applying For Scholarships and Bursaries. To apply for our available scholarships and bursaries go to https://discoverheritage.ca/tuition/scholarships-and-bursaries/. Most scholarship and bursary applications are due by May 31st for the fall term, and October 31st for the winter term.
- Paying Your Fees. Students will not be allowed to begin their studies until all outstanding fees have been paid in full.
- Checking International Travel Requirements. Stay up to date with the latest travel restrictions for international students by visiting the Government of Canada’s website: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/visitors-workers-students#students.
Note: Students must arrive in Canada no later than one week before classes begin.