Waitlisted for Teachers College in Ontario? Get Certified in 1 Year Abroad

If you want to be a teacher in Ontario (or BC, or Alberta), you know the drill.

You finish your undergraduate degree. You apply to a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) program. And then… you wait. And wait. And wait.

Admission to Teachers College in Canada has become ruthlessly competitive. We see brilliant candidates with great experience get waitlisted simply because there aren’t enough seats. To make matters worse, once you finally do get in, the program takes two full years to complete in most provinces.

So, here is the reality check:

• Option A: Wait a year to re-apply + Study for 2 years = 3 Years until you earn a salary.
• Option B: Pack your bags for Australia or the UK and study for 1 year, teaching in a classroom next year.

We call this the teaching time hack. Here is how it works.

The 1-Year Advantage

While Ontario has shifted to a mandatory 2-year B.Ed., many Commonwealth countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom, have continued to offer intensive, high-quality teacher training programs that can be completed in just 1 year (or 3 trimesters).

This isn’t a shortcut; it’s an accelerated path. You cover the same pedagogy, curriculum planning, and classroom placement hours, but in a condensed timeframe.

The ROI is simple: By graduating 12 months earlier, you enter the workforce 12 months earlier. That is one full year of a teacher’s salary (and one year of seniority on the pay grid) that you would have missed sitting in a Canadian classroom.

Can I teach in Canada when I return?

This is the big question. Yes, thousands of Canadian teachers currently working in your local school board were trained overseas.

Teaching is a regulated profession, which means you must be certified by your provincial body (such as the Ontario College of Teachers, OCT) upon returning. The process generally involves:

1. Completing your degree abroad (e.g., a Graduate Diploma in Education or Master of Teaching).
2. Applying to the OCT (or your province’s body) for certification.
3. Providing transcripts and proof of teaching practicum days.

The KOM Advantage: We know the requirements. We guide you toward programs, like those at Griffith University or the University of Gloucestershire, that are designed to meet the high standards expected by Canadian boards. We know exactly how many days of practice teaching you need to log to satisfy Canadian requirements.

Review the Internationally Educated Teachers guide from the Ontario College of Teachers.

Where Should You Go?

1. The Sunshine Classroom: Australia

Imagine doing your teaching placement in a classroom on the Gold Coast. Griffith University offers a Master of Primary Teaching and Master of Secondary Teaching.

• Duration: 1.5 – 2 Years (but can often be fast-tracked depending on intake).
• The Vibe: Relaxed lifestyle, high-tech classrooms, and an incredible adventure before settling down into your career.
• Intake: February (perfect for those rejected from the Sept intake in Canada).

2. The Fast-Track Classroom: The UK

If speed is your priority, the UK is the leader for the 1-year PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education). Schools like the University of Gloucestershire and Bangor University (Wales) offer intensive programs that get you certified and out the door in one academic year.

• Duration: 10 Months (Sept – June).
• The Vibe: Historic, academic, and very close to home (only a 6-hour flight from Toronto).
• Bonus: You can often teach in the UK for a year or two after graduating, gaining unparalleled experience before returning to Canada.

Imagine doing your practicum near the beach. Check out the Gold Coast student lifestyle to see what your year could look like.

Stop Waiting. Start Teaching.

A teacher shortage is looming in many parts of Canada, yet faculties of education remain bottlenecked. It doesn’t make sense, but you don’t have to be a victim of it.

You have the passion. You have an undergraduate degree. You are ready to lead a classroom. Don’t let a waitlist pause your life.

Ready to find your classroom? KOM Consultants offers free guidance for Teacher’s College applications. We can tell you which programs are open, what the GPA cut-offs are, and how to prepare for your return. Explore Teacher’s College Options.

Not ready to commit to a career? You might prefer a gap year degree in the UK instead.

Disclaimer: Content on the KOM Consultants blog is for informational purposes. Admissions criteria, tuition fees, and licensing requirements (e.g., CAPR, NCA, OCT) are subject to change by the respective universities and regulatory bodies. Always verify the latest information directly with your KOM Consultant or the official regulator.