It’s no surprise that Canada is a popular international study destination; world-class education, growing career opportunities, global culture, world’s best cities, immigrant-friendly policies — it has a lot to offer. If you are planning to study in Canada but are wondering where to get started, then here’s everything you need. This quick guide will provide you with an overview of the country, its universities and colleges, admission requirements, estimated tuition fees, living costs, information about work permits and PR, and steps to start your admission process. So read on.
Canada boasts 10 of the world’s top 250 universities. Its higher education institutions have a reputation for providing a world-class learning environment for a wide range of programs. Further, Canada also ranks among the most welcoming countries for international students and has 3 of the top 20 student cities in the world.
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Quality of life index
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Study visas granted in 2021
Studying in Canada offers a variety of benefits that make it an ideal destination for international students.
As of 2020, there are 96 public universities, 57 private universities, and 183 public colleges in Canada. Both public and private institutions offer world-class education covering diverse fields of study, including business, technology, health & medicine, and arts. Further, post-secondary education in Canada comprises two kinds of institutions: colleges and universities.
The colleges are focused on providing students with technical training, employment skills, and practical experience. They offer diploma and certificate credentials with a program duration of one to three years. International students looking to obtain quick credentials and practical training generally opt for colleges. While universities typically have an academic approach to education. They provide academic and professional programs and grant bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Also, these programs are more extensive than college.
Unlike India, where college/university admissions are conducted once a year, the Canadian education institutes offer three academic intakes. These include:
Starts in September
Starts in January
Starts in May
While most of the programs are available in all three intakes, you can get more information about the program’s availability on the college/university website. This will help you plan your admission well in advance.
The admission requirements may vary depending on the field of study and program credential you choose. However, the standard requirements include your previous field of study, academic record, and English language proficiency. Here are the details:
Canada offers nearly 15,000 exceptional study programs. This means you have plenty of options to choose from — which may include your favorite and even yet-to-be-discovered career interests. Some of the popular programs of studies among Indian and other international students include:
Studying in Canada is more affordable than in countries such as the US, UK, and Australia. The major expense of studying will include tuition fees, GIC deposit, and living expenses. Here’re the details.
Most universities and colleges’ tuition and ancillary fees range between 13,000 CAD and 50,000 CAD. The fees largely depend on the type of institution and your program of study.
To qualify for a student visa, all international students have to deposit a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) of a minimum of 10,000 CAD into a Canada-based bank. This money serves as proof that you have the funds to pay for your living expenses as a student in Canada. And once you arrive in Canada, this amount will be released to you every month over the period of 12 months.
Some of the basic living expenses include house rent, food, and travel. Again, this expense depends on the city you live in and your preferences, but some standard expenses are as follows:
To help students reach their academic and career goals, the Canadian government and education institutions offer various scholarships and bursaries. For many international students, these scholarships have helped ease their financial load and fulfill their study abroad dream. Here are some of the popular scholarship programs that you can consider:
Since now you have some information about studying in Canada, here’s what you need to do next:
And if you need any help to make your study in Canada dream come true, feel free to reach out. We at Sarem Education are here to assist you at every step — from study counseling to short-listing the course to admission to assistance with fees to visa application and beyond.