Study in Canada: Guide for International Students

Canada has long been regarded as one of the world's foremost centers for research exploration. Because they are home to so many of the country's premier universities, the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec are the most popular destinations for international students.

 

Students who want to attend a prominent institution in a developed country like Canada may find it an interesting option to apply to study there. QS Global University Rankings 2019 ranks 26 Canadian universities, three of which make it into the world's top 50 and another 11 into the world's top 300.

 

Top Reasons To Study in Canada

Canada is often rated as one of the world's wealthiest nations and the best place to live. If you study in Canada, you will earn a globally recognized degree from some of the world's best professors and scholars.

We've learned that there's a lot to like in Canada. The following are just a handful of the many benefits of studying in Canada:

 

●Learn with the Best: From basic school through post-secondary education, Canada's educational system is renowned around the world. A wide range of perspectives may be found in the classroom thanks to the diverse backgrounds of the instructors. Two out of every five professors at the university level hold at least one foreign degree. Ten of the world's top 250 universities are located in Canada. Studying here is a dream come true.

 

●Forever Welcoming Canadians: Many people believe that the stereotype of Canadians as "soft and inviting" is true. Discover a welcoming country with a distinct Canadian community that values and embraces cultural differences when you travel to Canada. Students from around the world flock to Canada because it is one of the top places in the world to study.

 

●The standard of living: If you're looking for a luxury lifestyle, Canada has everything. For both Canadians and international students, the quality of living in Canada is excellent. It's a great place to call home. In actuality, Canada is the world leader in terms of living standards. In addition, the World University Rankings lists four of the state's top 100 college towns. Wow, that's a real reason to be proud!

 

●A Promising Career and Future: High-earning potential is a benefit to students who study in Canada. It's how colleges and universities train their students for a successful future and a rewarding career. In the previous decade alone, Canada has created 1.6 million new employment for grads.

 

●Cost-Effective Living: Among English-speaking countries, Canada boasts some of the most affordable educational tuition. Whatever your financial situation, you'll be able to choose an educational program in Canada that meets your needs.

 

Depending on the sort of school and the length of the courses, postsecondary institutions grant several types of credentials.

 

●Diploma and Certificate Programs - Associate Degree (1-2 years):

Although some schools also offer degrees in specialized fields of study, such as business administration or engineering. Associate degrees can be earned in two years, whereas four-year applied degrees if they are offered, can be earned in four years. Diplomas and degrees from universities often need one to two years of study in certain fields or specialties. There is a wide variation in the services provided by each agency, as well as between provinces.

 

●Undergraduate – Bachelor’s Degree (three-five years):

An undergraduate is someone who is seeking a bachelor's degree or more. A high school diploma or GED is typically necessary for admission to a college or university. In Canada, bachelor's degrees require between three and four years of full-time study, depending on the area and the level of training offered. With an honors degree, you're showing that you've put more effort into the honors topic and that you've achieved more on the academic front. At some colleges, an honors degree may require an additional year of study.

 

●Postgraduate – Master's Degree/Doctoral Degree in Canada:

There are two years of study after finishing an honors bachelor's degree in Canada. Admission to a doctorate program normally necessitates the completion of a master's degree first. Applicants may, however, be allowed to transfer directly from an honors baccalaureate degree to a Ph.D. program under extraordinary circumstances. In order to get a doctorate, students must complete a minimum of three years of study and research, as well as write a dissertation. However, in Canada, doctorate degrees can also be given in subjects such as music (D.Mus.) or the law (D.Litt. ), despite the prevalent usage of the term "Ph.D." (LLD).

 

Admission Requirements For Canadian Universities

The specific qualifying requirements for admission to a Canadian university are as follows:

 

For Bachelor’s/Diploma/Certificate courses-

●Flexible admission

●IELTS score: 6 / 6.5 overall

●TOEFL: PBT: 550 min. CBT: 213 min.

 

For Undergraduate/Bachelors level-

●70% in 12th grade

●TOEFL: PBT: 580-600 min. (depends upon course)

●CBT: 237-250 min. (depends upon course)

●12th-grade level Maths

 

For Postgraduate/Masters courses-

●2-3 years full-time work experience

●GMAT: 580-600 min.

●IELTS score: 6.5 overall

●TOEFL: PBT: 580-600 min. (depends upon course)

●CBT: 237-250 min. (depends upon course)

●4 yr Bachelors's degree, 70% average.

●Written samples/copies of published work/Portfolios may be required by some organizations.

 

Cost Of Studying In Canada

In comparison to many other nations, education in Canada is very inexpensive. University fees would most likely cost between C$20,000 and C$30,000 a year. This selection is just an approximation and can differ depending on the school and curriculum in which you are registered. The costs of lodging, healthcare, and other daily expenses can vary depending on the region and personal requirements, but C$15,000 a year is a typical estimation.

 

Field of study grouping Undergraduate Graduate

Education $20,875 $15,764

Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies $25,127 $14,737

Humanities $28,676 $13,667

Social and behavioral sciences $27,647 $15,032

Law, legal professions, and studies $33,192 $17,237

Business management and public administration $26,680 $24,693

Executive MBA NA $66,665

Regular MBA NA $38,950

Physical and life sciences and technologies $31,536 $15,421

 Mathematics, computer and information sciences $33,012 $16,647

Engineering $33,703 $19,301

Architecture $26,457 $23,992

Dentistry $56,621 $22,472

Medicine $32,450 NA

Nursing $21,922 $16,168

Pharmacy $40,960 $12,876

Veterinary medicine $63,323 $10,099

Other health, parks, recreation, and fitness $24,626 $18,551

 

Scholarships in Canada

Scholarships in Canada are competitive due to their restricted quantity compared to other nations like the USA, UK, or Australia. Scholarships for overseas students studying in Canada are awarded based on academic excellence and English proficiency. Most colleges give scholarships based on qualifying criteria without any application, although others require students to apply. Scholarships are mostly awarded at the admission level, although some require students to demonstrate academic achievement in the following years of school. Here’s the list of some of the most rewarding scholarships for international students in Canada:

 

●Government of Canada International Scholarships Program

●Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

●Fonds de recheche du Quebec Scholarships and Grants 

●Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral scholarships

 

Canada Student Visa Process

Let's have a look at the Visa requirements for studying in Canada.

1.The first step is to apply to Canadian Universities and earn an acceptance letter from at least one of them.

 

2.If you fall into one of the following categories, you don't require a student visa:

 

●When you work for a foreign government official in Canada, you are either a member of their family or a member of their staff.

 

●For a maximum of six months, you will be a participant in a research study.

 

●By virtue of your status as a member of the Visiting Forces Act, you are an official representative of a foreign country's military.

 

●Despite the fact that you do not hold Canadian citizenship, you have been granted Indian status by the Canadian government.

 

3.Steps to obtaining a Student Visa:

 

●Consult the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada to begin the visa application process prior to your arrival in Canada (CIC).

●If you are unable to apply for the necessary papers online due to a lack of bandwidth or internet connection, you can mail your visa application paperwork.

●Bring a letter of recommendation from a reputable institution of higher learning (a university recognized by the Canadian government).

●Show that you have the financial resources to attend school in Canada (tuition fees and living expenses).

●Demonstrate your lack of criminal history.

●Send a copy of your medical records, if necessary, to show that you are in excellent health.

 

4.Documents Required: 

 

●Student Permit Application Form

●The university's original acceptance letter

●Requires you to return to your native nation with a valid passport or travel document. If you're a citizen of the United States, you may skip this step.

●Name and birthdate on the back of two fresh passport-sized photos.

●Proof of financial assistance during your academic career. This means proving that you can afford to reside in the area for at least a year.

●An intention letter.

●An acceptance certificate from the province of Quebec, as well as translations of your documents in both English and French, a translation note, and an authenticated copy of the text, are all prerequisites for studying in Quebec.

●Proof of paid Student permit fee.

 

Top Universities In Canada

According to the QS World University Rankings 2021, these are the top universities of Canada:

Canadian Universities Ranking-

1.University of Toronto

2.McGill University

3.University of British Columbia

4.Université de Montréal

5.University of Alberta

6.McMaster University

7.University of Waterloo

8.Western University

9.Queen's University

10.University of Calgary

 

Top Courses In Canada

One of the world's most sought-after educational destinations in Canada. A considerable number of international students are drawn to Canada by the country's welcoming post-study work policies (PGWPP). In addition, services like Express Entry make Canada a desirable destination for migrants. When it comes to finding a job in Canada, having a degree and experience from your home country might be a huge advantage. Check out this list of top Canadian universities for international students who want to get a job after graduation.

●MBA

●Computer Science & IT

●Business & Finance

●Core Engineering & Engineering Management

●Physical & Earth Sciences and Renewable Energy

●Agricultural Science & Forestry

●Biosciences, Medicine & Healthcare

●Media & Journalism

●Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science & Analytics

●Psychology & Human Resources

 

Work While Studying In Canada

International students can work both on and off-campus while enrolled in school without a work permit, but they must first complete the eligibility requirements before they can do so, or they will have to leave the country.

 

Working On-campus:

In order to work on the campus of your school without a work permit, you must satisfy the following requirements:

1.You are enrolled full-time at a public postsecondary institution, such as a university or college in Quebec, or a CEGEP in Quebec.

●a Quebec private college that follows the same regulations as public institutions and receives at least half of its funding from the government

●Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law.

2.You have a valid study permit, and

3.You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

 

Working Off-campus:

You can work off-campus without a work permit if you satisfy the following conditions:

1.At a recognized university, you are a full-time student.

 

2.you are registered in:

●a postsecondary educational, vocational, or technical training program

●a vocational school curriculum at the secondary level (Quebec only)

 

3.your course of study

●has a period of at least 6 months and

●results in the awarding of a degree, diploma, or certificate

 

4.you've begun your studies

 

5.You have a Social Security Number (SIN)

 

 Internship In Canada

Job experience is needed as part of the education of certain study programs. You will apply for a co-op or intern job permit if you meet the following criteria:

●You have a present study permit

●To complete your study program in Canada, you must need internship experience.

●You have a letter from your school confirming that all students in your program are required to complete job placements in order to graduate, and

●Your co-op placement or internship accounts for 50% or less of your study curriculum.

 

Following are not allowed:

●English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL),

●general interest courses, or

●courses to prepare for another study program.

These students can apply for work permits to complete their internships in Canada.