Study in Canada
Why Choose to Study in Canada?
Studying in Canada is a thrilling prospect for international students wishing to boost their knowledge, experience and research potential. Overseas students prefer Canada as their choice of a premier hub of academic excellence. Learn more about the reasons why you should choose to study in Canada and how you can do that.
Best Universities in Canada
Canada boasts of highly-esteemed educational institutes and universities that have made their way into the Q.S. World University Rankings. The country is famous for the following universities with a spotless record of generating the world’s best talents-
- University of Alberta
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- University of Calgary
- University of Ottawa
- University of Waterloo
Best Courses to Pursue in Canada
Canada is very student-friendly as it welcomes a large intake of overseas students on an annual basis. The following student-friendly cities in Canada will offer you a vibrant lifestyle and comfortable facilities-
- Hospitality Management
- Business Administration
- Information Technology
- Biosciences and Medicine
- Media and Journalism
- Actuarial Sciences
- Earth Sciences
Best Student-Friendly Cities in Canada
International students will find a warm and amiable environment in the following cities that are student-friendly and have featured on the QS Best Student Cities rankings:-
- Montreal
- Vancouver
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Winnipeg
- Edmonton
- Calgary
- Guelph
- Kingston
Education System
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The Canadian education system upholds its students to its high standards of quality, integrity and sincerity. Students will find the environment intellectually challenging, yet rewarding in the long-term. The experience imbibes overseas students with a changing world view in keeping with the new innovations in each sphere.
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International students are only eligible to apply to institutions that are approved by the government. There are various public and private universities in Canada that offer a range of professional and academic programmes like diplomas, bachelor and postgraduate degrees.
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Earning a degree from Canada can propel you into the top percentiles for jobs and further academic prospects. The country’s education system is directed at career-focussed lear
Eligibility
Gaining admission in a Canadian institute is easy if you apply yourself sincerely to it. With about 100+ universities to its credit, Canada can be your ticket to intellectual enrichment and a great lifestyle. To be eligible for admission in a Canadian university, you need to:-
- Opt for a course and a university that can issue you a valid letter of acceptance.
- Prove your language competency in English or French
- Produce all necessary and required documents during the application process.
We advise you to keep checking the government’s official website for detailed guidelines.
You can also book a call with our experts to walk you through the process. Don’t forget to see the visa checklist provided below.
Applying for Student Visas
You can begin applying for a student visa to study and work in Canada after your university issues you a letter of acceptance. The application process is conducted online or can be done via a visa application center near you.
International students enrolled in a long-term academic programme of 6 months or longer have to apply for a student visa. They will also need a temporary resident permit issued by the Canadian Diplomatic Mission. You can choose to apply for a visa via the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and get it much faster than usual.
Registering via the SDS stream requires you to arrange your biometric proofs and documents beforehand. We have provided a detailed breakdown of this in the visa checklist. You will have to pass the following stages in the application process-
- Check your eligibility and complete the form on the official website of the Immigration and Citizenship Department, here.
- Print the page with the personal reference code provided.
- Sign in to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website and select the study visa option. Start here.
- Follow all the instructions, upload documents and pay the indicated fees
- Once confirmed, you will see a confirmation number and a biometric instruction letter in your IRCC account. Take the printouts and retain them for the rest of the process. If you have registered via SDS, you will get an answer within 20-30 days.
- Failing to meet any criteria mentioned under SDS will push your visa application in the non-SDS category.
- You can also apply for a post-study work visa within 180 days of completion of your current course. Know more details about the PGWP here
Visa Costs and Charges
International students have to pay the following fee for the initial student visa-
- For study visa- CDN$150
- Additional biometrics fee- CDN$85
For a post-study work permit, students have to pay-
- For the PGWP- CDN$155
- For the Open Work Permit Holder- CDN$100
Visa Checklist
Getting your documents ready for the application process is an important part of applying for a student visa in Canada. Refer to the following elements for your visa checklist now-
- A passport which is valid for at least 6 months. Renew it in case it has outrun the validity period.
- Â Proof of acceptance from the university/education provider
- 2 recent passport size photos
- Proof of financial support (fee receipts for tuition and housing, bank statements)
- GIC of CDN $10,000
- Transcripts and academic certificates
- Language proficiency test results for English or French (IELTS/ TCF/ TEF)
- Letter of explanation stating goals and responsibilities
- Custodian declaration from parents (for minor applicants)
- Medical exam reports
- Quebec acceptance certificate issued by the government of Quebec (if you’re studying there)
- There can be other local requirements to get a student visa in Canada such as having a Canadian bank account, health insurance etc. For more information, refer to the official guidelines for the student visa here.
- Be thorough with the requirements and check if you have your documents twice over. Refrain from making any false statement during the application process or the interview as that can result in rejection of visa.
Managing Expenses in Canada
Compared to other countries, the cost of living in Canada is quite affordable for international students.
However, overseas students still pick up part-time jobs in Canada to pay for their general expenses. Below is a detailed breakdown of all the costs you need to consider when deciding to study in Canada. These are average costs and can change depending on the location, university, course and other expenses.
Accommodation
Accommodation hunting is not too difficult as Canada provides international students with several options to choose from. Some of them are-
- Off-campus stay- $3,000-$7,500/year
- On-campus stay- $9,000-$17,000/year
- Furnished rented rooms- $650-$890/month
- High-priced apartments- $900-$3,000/month
- Unfurnished rented rooms- $400-$1,500/month
- Homestays- $400-$800/month
General ExpensesÂ
Besides tuition fees, there are several other expenses little and big that you will encounter as an overseas student in Canada. Some of them are-
- Food- CND$200- CND$300/month
- Transport and travel- CND$100-CND$250/month
- Telecom charges- CND$30-CND$50/month
- Health insurance- CND$225 and above/3 months
- Clothing- CND$45- 128
- Entertainment- CND$150
You can manage these expenses easily with a part-time job and some smart saving tactics. Don’t forget that scholarships can be a major relief when it comes to paying the living costs in a foreign country.
Scroll below to find out about the most comprehensive scholarships in Canada for international students.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
When it comes to tuition fees, it differs across colleges, universities and the courses one opts for. Take a look at this quick breakdown of the average cost of education in Canada-
- Undergraduate programmes- $13,000-$20,000/ year
- Postgraduate programmes- $17,000-$25,000/ year
- Doctoral studies- $7,000-$15,000/ year
- Business administration- $30,000-$40,000/ year
Since these charges can get heavy to bear along with living expenses, students should try to get a scholarship that can cover the tuition fees and even some living expenses. Fortunately, there are several pertinent scholarships from governments and private organizations that provide financial respite-
- Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship
- Ontario Trillium Scholarship Programme
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship
- Carleton Prestige Scholarships
- You may zoom into this list that elaborates on more scholarships for international students in Canada.
Contact Us
Studying in Canada can be a life-changing experience for many international students. You can make your arduous journey to Canada easier with our expert assistance and counseling sessions. Contact us now to book a session.