A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is a school that has been approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. If you need a study permit to study in Canada, you can only enroll at a DLI — enrollment at a non-designated institution does not support a study permit application.
Beyond the DLI number
Every DLI has a unique DLI number that must be included in your study permit application, so confirming an institution's designation status is a basic first step. But designation status alone doesn't tell you everything relevant to your plans — not all DLIs are eligible to make their graduates eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and this distinction matters enormously if working in Canada after graduation is part of your plan.
Questions worth answering before applying
Is the specific program — not just the institution generally — PGWP-eligible? Is the institution public or private, and how does that affect tuition, program recognition, and post-graduation options? What are the program's actual admission requirements, including language test scores, and do they match your current qualifications? What support does the institution provide to international students specifically, including housing assistance and study permit guidance?
Why this decision carries weight
Because the PGWP is generally a one-time opportunity tied to the length and eligibility of the program you complete, choosing an institution or program that doesn't support your longer-term goals — work experience, permanent residence, or otherwise — can be a costly setback to correct later. This is a decision worth making with your full immigration pathway in mind, not just program cost or admission ease.
Where to check
IRCC publishes and maintains the official list of designated learning institutions, including which are eligible to support PGWP applications. This should be checked directly and recently, since designation and PGWP eligibility can change.