Accelerated Nursing Programs in Canada
Are you an international student who wants to help people? Check out these fast-track nursing programs.
Do you have an urge to help people? Is caring for others a core part of your identity? Do you want a great career, with lots of exciting challenges? If so, you'd be an excellent candidate for nursing.
Of course, becoming a nurse can be a long and difficult process. Luckily, several schools offer accelerated nursing programs in Canada, so if you've already completed some studies in biology, chemistry, and other science- or health-related courses, you could be helping patients in no time.
York University, in Toronto, Ontario, offers a 2nd entry bachelor of science in nursing for students with at least two years of university experience. Structured for accelerated, continuous study, students in the 2nd entry program can complete a bachelor of science in nursing degree in just two years.
The program accepts students each fall for full-time, in-person studies at the Keele campus in Toronto. To gain admission, students require an overall average of at least 75% in previous university studies, and have completed specific prerequisite courses:
- Psychology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Statistics
- Microbiology
The program is competitive, so meeting the minimum requirements doesn't guarantee admission. For the September 2026 intake, applications are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, and international applicants. Applications are made through OUAC. The deadline for international students who want to start the program in September is May 14, 2026.
Upon graduation, students must pass a certification exam through the College of Nurses of Ontario to practice in the province.
If you have questions about York University's 2nd entry nursing program, reach the Faculty of Health Recruitment Office by email.
McMaster University in Ontario is renowned across Canada for its excellent health and medical programs, and its accelerated nursing stream is no exception.
The accelerated stream is for students who have completed at least two years of university-level study in the sciences.
Intakes for the accelerated nursing program at McMaster University happen each September, and the program is full-time, in-person, at the McMaster campus in Hamilton, Ontario. Domestic and international students are eligible to apply.
Interested students should browse OUAC's guide to essential requirements for nursing studies in Ontario to ensure that nursing is the right choice.
Upon graduation from the accelerated stream, students can take the qualifying exams through the College of Nurses of Ontario to begin practicing as a Registered Nurse in the province.
Explore McMaster University's accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program.
The University of Toronto (U of T) is among Canada's top 3 universities, with campuses across the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario. The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing offers programs at the downtown St. George and Mississauga campuses, and starting in September, 2026, U of T's accelerated nursing program will be offered at both campuses.
To apply to the accelerated stream, students must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study at a recognized university, with a minimum 75% average across your most recent university credits. Your entire academic record will be considered during application review. The program is quite competitive, so meeting the minimum requirements doesn't guarantee admission.
Applications for the accelerated nursing program at the University of Toronto open in November. Interested students must apply through OUAC by January 15, and complete a supplementary application by February 1.
If you have questions about your application, or prerequisite requirements, you can reach [email protected] for assistance.
Explore the Univerity of Toronto's accelerated bachelor of nursing program.
The compressed time frame bachelor of science in nursing at Western University is a 19-month program for students who have at least two years of previous university experience with a minimum 75% GPA.
Admission is competitive, so meeting the minimums doesn't guarantee acceptance to the program. Apply through OUAC as normal. There is no supplementary application. The deadline to apply through OUAC is February 15.
International students are encouraged to review the College of Nurses of Ontario's authorization to practice page for specifics on registering with CNO after graduation.
Questions about the accelerated nursing program at Western? Reach academic advisor Jessica Patterson by email.
(Western also offers two pathways for registered practical nurses (RPNs) to transition to registered nurses. Depending on the stream, previous university experience may or may not be required. Find stream details on Western's website.)
The University of Alberta's bachelor of science in nursing After Degree program is for students with a completed university degree, with a 75% average or higher, who want to pursue nursing. The After Degree program takes two years to complete.
Applicants must complete the Caspter test, and have specific prerequisite courses already completed to gain admission to the After Degree program:
- English
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Medical Microbiology
- Statistics
Students are admitted each fall, studying in-person at the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton, Alberta. International students are encouraged to review the Faculty of Nursing's International Applicants page before applying. The deadline for applications for domestic and international students is March 1 each year.
Canada's smallest province is also one of its most beautiful. The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in Charlottetown has a rich history. It also offers an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing. Check out UPEI's School of Nursing, and you could become a registered nurse before you know it.
To get admission to UPEI's accelerated nursing program, you must have completed high school, and at least "60 semester-hours of university-level credit," with courses in biology, chemistry, and more. Beyond that, you'll also need to complete the Casper test, and satisfy the language requirements if your first language isn't English.
Explore UPEI's accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program.
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) in Nova Scotia is another excellent university in the Canadian Maritimes. StFX has an accelerated nursing program, available to students with accumulated credits in anatomy, microbiology, and more. Alongside previous university credits, applicants will also need to complete the Casper test to gain admission.
StFX also offers a pathway for internationally-trained nurses, so if you're already qualified as a nurse, but want to practice in Canada, take a look at the StFX Distance Nursing Program.
Explore St. Francis Xavier University's accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program.
Nursing is a noble profession and admirable career. As more and more schools begin offering accelerated nursing programs in Canada, it will only get easier to become a registered nurse.
Learn more about working as a nurse in Canada