Sheridan part of pilot program improving language education pathways for international students

Sheridan is one of the first public institutions to participate in the Ontario pilot phase of a new national program designed to provide international students with a simpler, more reliable and more sustainable pathway into Canadian postsecondary education.

The Joint Pathway Program (JPP) is a fully Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)-compliant initiative that allows accredited private language schools and public postsecondary institutions to collaborate within a single integrated pathway. Students can complete their language education across private and public partner institutions while remaining within one joint program framework and one study permit, leading to a single language credential and, subsequently, to a seamless transition into their chosen degree, diploma or certificate program at the public partner.

Sheridan was one of two colleges and five schools to sign an umbrella Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) earlier this month with Languages Canada, a national body that regulates English and French language programs across nine provinces and more than 180 study locations. The MOU formalizes each institution's participation in the provincial pilot phase of the Joint Pathway Program and establishes governance, oversight and coordination mechanisms.

In 2024, the IRCC introduced a regulatory restriction that disrupted the progression of pathway students from their language studies to their certificate, diploma or degree programs at postsecondary institutions. The JPP works within the current regulatory environment to establish a structured, policy-aligned framework that restores a smooth, clear and accessible student experience.

“We are proud to be among the first participants in this important initiative that will standardize and streamline international students' journey into Canada's postsecondary system.”

– Shawna Garrett, Sheridan Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Enrolment

"Languages Canada's Joint Pathway Program provides a framework for public and private partners to work together to build sustainable, compliant pathways that support student success and strengthen the international education ecosystem," says Shawna Garrett, Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Enrolment, at Sheridan. "We are proud to be among the first participants in this important initiative that will standardize and streamline international students' journey into Canada's postsecondary system."

Institution-to-institution agreements between public and private partners will follow as the next phase of the Ontario pilot of the Joint Pathway Program. The JPP will be launched nationally next month at the Languages Canada Annual Conference in Calgary.

"Our objective is clear: to set the stage for future JPP cohorts and bring language pathways back to Canada," says Gonzalo Peralta, Executive Director of Languages Canada. "Our ambition is to welcome 9,000 students annually through the JPP within the next few years — high-quality students aligned with institutional objectives and Canada's broader priorities. As stewards of Canada's Official Languages education programs, this is a responsibility we take seriously."