Seneca Polytechnic

Toronto, Canada Founded 1967

Updated Sep 2026

Overview

English Name: Seneca Polytechnic
Founded: 1967
Institution Type: College
Seneca Polytechnic campus and surroundings
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Seneca Polytechnic is a large public polytechnic institute in Toronto, Ontario, established in 1967 as one of Ontario's original Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology.

It operates several campuses across the Greater Toronto Area, including Newnham (its largest, at 1750 Finch Avenue East), King (a rural campus north of Toronto), Markham, Seneca@York and a downtown Toronto location. Seneca offers more than 300 full- and part-time options spanning certificates, two- and three-year diplomas and advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, honours bachelor's degrees and a small number of master's degrees, organized under faculties covering applied science and engineering technology, arts, communication, art and design, community and health, business, and nursing.

Programs emphasize applied, career-focused learning, and many include co-op or other work-integrated learning components. Among Ontario colleges Seneca reports strong graduate outcomes, with 79.1 per cent of graduates employed within six months of graduation and a 75.8 per cent graduate satisfaction rate in 2022-23 provincial indicators.

The polytechnic enrolls students from more than 150 countries and runs an English Language Institute for academic English preparation, with three intakes per year (September, January and May) for most full-time prograMs. Applicants pay international tuition set per program, published on each program's own costs page, and all confirmed international students are automatically considered for an entrance scholarship of up to $5,000 based on program length.

Location & Contact

Seneca Polytechnic's on-the-ground location and digital channels to engage with the institution. Library access for prospective students is often arranged separately through the main library team.

Address: 1750 Finch Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario (Newnham Campus)
Map:
Social Media:

Academic Details

Scale, staffing, and recognition figures for Seneca Polytechnic are summarised below. These numbers help you size the institution against your shortlist and weigh academic depth alongside programme fit.

Academic Year: Three intakes per year - September, January and May; program availability varies by intake.
Admission Requirements: DOMESTIC APPLICANTS (Canadian citizens and permanent residents) How to apply: through OntarioColleges.ca (OCAS). One OCAS application covers up to five program choices across the 24 Ontario colleges, of which up to three may be at Seneca. Academic entry: certificate, diploma and advanced diploma programs are built on an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or an equivalent, together with the specific Grade 11/12 subjects named on each program page. Applicants who will be 19 by the first day of classes may instead be assessed as mature applicants for certificate, diploma and advanced diploma programs: the OSSD itself is waived, but the program's prerequisite subjects and any extra admission requirements still apply. Seneca's degree programs set their own higher bar — typically six Grade 12 U/M courses at a stated overall average (for example 65% for the Bachelor of Computer Science, 70% for Software Engineering, 75% for the Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing) — so read the program page. English (and maths): for most certificate, diploma and advanced diploma programs a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may clear the English prerequisite, and on some programs the maths prerequisite too, by passing Seneca's pre-admission test. A formal English test is asked of domestic applicants only for master's programs, graduate certificates and the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology, and only where the applicant cannot show enough prior study in English (Seneca accepts, for example, three years of full-time secondary school, or two full-time years of college/university undergraduate study, in a country where English is an official or the common language). Where a test is needed, the published minimums are: Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology — IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band under 6.0, PTE 60, Duolingo 125, TOEFL iBT with no single skill under 4.5/6 (21/30). Master's and graduate certificates — IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band under 6.0, PTE 60, Duolingo 120, TOEFL iBT with no single skill under 4.5/6 (22/30). Seneca states these domestic English rules do not apply to its Accelerated programs. INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS How to apply: directly through Seneca's International Student Web Application (up to three program choices), paying a CAD 90 application fee that is credited back to the student account once the applicant is accepted and has paid first-semester fees. All required documents must be uploaded with the application. Academic entry, by credential level: certificate and diploma applicants submit Grade 10, 11 and 12 transcripts showing the program's prerequisite courses plus a secondary-school diploma or certificate of completion. Degree applicants submit the same, and the transcripts must additionally show six senior courses that Seneca counts as equal to Ontario university-preparatory credits, averaging 65% overall. Graduate-certificate applicants submit complete university and college transcripts for every year of study plus the degree, diploma or certificate itself; for some professional programs Seneca also asks for a credential assessment from an agency such as WES. Records in another language need an official or certified English translation, and Seneca may verify any transcript. English, tiered by credential level (tests must be under two years old): - Certificate and diploma — IELTS Academic 6.0 with no skill under 5.5; PTE Academic 58; CAEL CE/Online 60; Duolingo 105–110; Cambridge English 169 with no skill under 162; TOEFL iBT with no skill under 4/6 (20/30). - Degree — IELTS Academic 6.5 with no skill under 6.0; PTE Academic 60; CAEL 70 with writing no lower than 60; Duolingo 115–120; Cambridge English 176 with no skill under 169; TOEFL iBT with no skill under 4.5/6 (21/30). - Master's and graduate certificates — IELTS Academic 6.5 with no skill under 6.0; PTE Academic 60; CAEL 70 with writing no lower than 60; Duolingo 120–125; Cambridge English 176 with no skill under 169; TOEFL iBT with no skill under 4.5/6 (22/30). An international applicant who misses the English scores may instead be offered a place in Seneca's English Language Institute with a conditional start date for the professional program — though Seneca excludes nine highly competitive programs from that pathway (Firefighter Pre-Service, Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology, Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing, Justice Administration Services and its Articulated version, Paralegal, Paralegal Accelerated, Practical Nursing and Veterinary Technician). These are minimum cut-offs for both groups: meeting them does not guarantee an offer, and competitive programs rank applicants above the minimum.
Campus Setting: Urban

Academic Structures

Below is how Seneca Polytechnic is organised academically — the schools, faculties, and units that house its programmes. Larger institutions often run multi-faculty divisions to coordinate cross-disciplinary work.

Unit 28 items
  • English Language Institute
  • Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering Technology
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Communication, Art & Design
  • Faculty of Community & Health
  • School of Accounting & Financial Services
  • School of Arts & Science
  • School of Aviation
  • School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry
  • School of Community Services
  • School of Computer Programming & Analysis
  • School of Creative Arts & Animation
  • School of Early Childhood Education
  • School of English & Liberal Studies
  • School of Environmental & Civil Engineering Technology
  • School of Fashion
  • School of Fire Protection Engineering Technology
  • School of Global Business
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Hospitality & Tourism
  • School of Information Technology Administration & Security
  • School of Management & Human Resources
  • School of Marketing
  • School of Media
  • School of Public Safety
  • School of Software Design & Data Science
  • Seneca Business
  • Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing

Programs Offered

The programme finder below covers every degree Seneca Polytechnic currently offers. Programme codes here often map to international classification systems used for credential recognition abroad.

229 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada

Bachelor's Degree 28 programmes

Showing 10 of 28.

Honours Degree 2 programmes

Master's Degree 1 programme

Certificate 19 programmes

Showing 10 of 19.

Diploma 90 programmes

Showing 10 of 90.

Higher Diploma 33 programmes

Showing 10 of 33.

Postgraduate Certificate 56 programmes

Showing 10 of 56.

How to apply to Seneca Polytechnic

A practical five-step guide to applying to Seneca Polytechnic, from programme research through submission and follow-up.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Seneca Polytechnic's catalogue includes 229 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Seneca Polytechnic's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Submit your completed application through Seneca Polytechnic's official website at www.senecapolytechnic.ca. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by email at [email protected]. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Seneca Polytechnic

Quick answers to the most common questions about Seneca Polytechnic — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.

In what year was Seneca Polytechnic established?

Seneca Polytechnic was founded in 1967 (approximately 59 years ago).

In which city is Seneca Polytechnic?

Seneca Polytechnic is based in Toronto, Canada.

What is Seneca Polytechnic's academic structure?

Seneca Polytechnic has 28 academic units.

What is Seneca Polytechnic's official website?

Seneca Polytechnic's official website is www.senecapolytechnic.ca.

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