Understanding the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP)

Understanding CIP will make it easier for international students to explore their options and make informed decisions about their academic journey in Canada. The CIP now has a significant impact when it comes to determining eligibility for a post-graduation work permit. For this reason, students looking to study in Canada should familiarise themselves with the CIP system.

What is the CIP?

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is a system used to organize and classify different educational programs, particularly in colleges and universities. It helps to group programs into categories based on what students learn or study, according to the field of study.

How Does the CIP Work?

The CIP has three levels of categories that get more detailed as they go:

Series (First Level): These are identified using two-digit codes. The series are the most general groupings of related programs. CIP Canada 2021 contains 50 series.

Subseries (Second Level): These are smaller groups within the series that are more specific. Each subseries has the two-digit code of the first level, followed by a period and then another two-digit code.

Instructional Program Classes (Third Level): These are the most specific groups, and they have six-digit in total. Instructional program classes represent the specific instructional programs and are the most detailed level within CIP. CIP Canada 2021 contains 2119 instructional program classes.

What is the CIP Used For?

CIP helps to make sure that when people are talking about education — in Canada or the United States — they are all using the same categories and terms. This is important for governments, schools, and researchers who want to track how many students are studying a certain subject, or how many graduates come from a particular program. It also helps compare educational data between countries, especially Canada and the United States, because they use similar versions of the CIP.

As an international student, knowing the CIP code of an intended study program is important. In addition to organising programs into clear categories, the CIP allows for a comparison of similar options across different colleges and universities. Knowing the CIP of a program also helps determine whether the program is a PGWP-eligible program, which in some cases is needed for international students to work in Canada after graduation.

If is it not listed in the program description, students should ask the educational institute for the CIP of the course they are interested in. 

The CIP and Post-Graduation Work Permits

If you’re a student planning to study in Canada, you’ve probably heard about the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP allows students who have completed their studies in Canada to stay and work in Canada. Recently, there have been some substantial changes to the PGWP requirements, and it’s important to understand how this could affect your plans to work after graduation.

College graduates and some university graduates who applied for their study permit after November 1st, 2024 must graduate from a PGWP-eligible program in order to be eligible for a PGWP. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the CIP to classify post-secondary education programs according to the field of study in Canada.

There are currently 966 (out of 2119) CIP’s identified as PGWP-eligible.

These are:

Remember, as an international student in Canada, understanding the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is key to making informed decisions about your education. The CIP helps you choose the right program, ensuring it is recognized and meets important eligibility requirements, like those for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). By using the CIP system, you can confidently select programs that align with your career goals, while also ensuring your qualifications are valued both in Canada and abroad.