In this article on comnavihyogo.com, I will explain in detail everything about Study In Canada – Scholarships, Visa, Financial Aid and Admissions.
Studying in Canada is a great idea, an experience you won’t easily forget!
Canada is the world’s second-largest country by landmass and it also has more than 96 universities that meet the standard, which is all open to international students.
You should consider Canada if you are looking for a European university that offers a high-quality education at an affordable cost.
It is important to be aware that Canada has two languages which are;
- The French Language
- The English Language.
Canada’s welcoming atmosphere is another reason to be amazed at its beauty. Canadians are so welcoming and accommodating that you won’t feel out of place if you arrive in Canada at any point in time.
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Why study in Canada?
Like you probably know, Canada is the second largest country in the world by land mass, only behind Russia, with a population density that runs at about 4 inhabitants per square kilometer (compared to India, with a whopping 416/km²!).
As of the time of writing this article, Canada boasts 96 universities scattered across its urban and regional areas, most of which are very welcoming to international students.
One special aspect of Canada is that there are two national languages which include;
- English in most of the western side and
- French in the eastern province of Quebec.
If you want to broaden your horizons as either an ESL (English as a Second Language) or FSL (French as a Second Language) student, Canada is the place!
That is if you don’t mind the mortifying winters. As with anywhere on the globe, people are reflections of their environment.
From rugged mountain ranges of British Columbia to vast underground malls connected to subway stations, Canadians and international students alike embrace what is a burden on some as a source of purity, benevolence, and outstanding standards for higher education.
The Canadian people are known to be a very friendly set of human beings.
Moreover, along with a plethora of incentives to study in Canada as an international, the country is constantly on the brink of social systems and technology, making it very accommodating to the open-minded nature of students studying abroad.
The Best Universities to Study in Canada
Canada’s main cities – Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal – are where you may first be aiming the darts if you are looking to study abroad in Canada.
According to QS Best Student Cities 2018, Montréal is the 4th best student city in the world, with Toronto at 13th and Vancouver at 17th!
However, some of the country’s most internationally respected universities can be found in the regions in between.
So, depending on your field of study, your favored geography, and your level of tolerance to the cold, you may find it more pleasing to study outside of the three main cities.
QS World University Rankings 2019 places 26 out of Canada’s 96 universities on the list!
This means that Canada has one of the 26 top universities worldwide, making it among the most prestigious countries.
You can’t choose the right institution for your studies in Canada if you aren’t sure.
These are the top institutions that you should consider if your plan is to visit Canada.
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of Calgary
- Western university
- Queen’s University
- University of Waterloo
- McMaster University
- University of Montreal
- University of Alberta
- University of British Columbia
According to QS university rankings, these universities are among the top ten in the world.
You can be certain that no matter which professional program you choose to study in Canada, you will receive a high-quality education.
Canada wouldn’t be host to some 572,000 international students every year, if there wasn’t a wide range of courses to study – from Computer Science & IT to Media & Journalism, to Agricultural Science & Forestry to Business & Finance to Medicine, and so on.
You are sure to find the right degree for yourself!
Canada is also home to over 150 colleges that offer short courses and diplomas. You may find one that works perfectly for your aspirations.
While you would have to go through the same process of obtaining a student visa, you may save some money on overall tuition.
The Canadian school year generally commences in September, though some postgraduate programs begin sooner or later. Be sure to check!
You may be wondering when Canadian education will begin. It’s always September.
University of Toronto
A globally top-ranked public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto has evolved into Canada’s leading institution of learning, discovery, and knowledge creation.
McGill University
Join a community creating solutions to the world’s challenges.
The University of British Columbia
A global center for research and teaching consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world.
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Most Popular Courses To Study in Canada
Attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Canada will give you the knowledge and qualifications necessary to pursue a career in your chosen field, or continue your studies for a Master’s/Ph.D.
The degree structure for undergraduate programs takes a more liberal approach in regard to the classes you are able to choose within your field of study.
A certain number of credits are given upon completion of each course.
The student has the option to choose from a number of courses offered in the department that he or she is studying in. This is different from, say, the degree structure in France, in which the institute decides which courses need to be taken each semester.
Competition is high to be accepted into most universities. If English is not your first language, you will need to take a proficiency test. Any evidence of secondary school achievements (GPA, volunteering, student clubs, etc.) will heighten your chances of acceptance!
Canada offers many well-respected courses.
These are the top courses in Canada you should consider taking;
- Medicine
- MBA
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Business Development
- Pharmacy Technician
- Hospitality Management
- Nursing
- Automobile Engineering
- Computer science.
Study in Canada: Master’s Degree
Up until the last few years, Canada (and the US.) only accepted students with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree into their Master’s programs, while most countries offer Bachelor’s programs that can be completed within 3 years.
But the demand of international students wishing to study in Canada has increased dramatically (11% since 2017), and along with it, universities now accepting 3-year Bachelor’s degrees as a prerequisite for Master’s programs.
Most Master’s programs take 1-2 years to complete and come in the form of a Master of Science (MSc) or a Master of Arts (MA).
If you’d like to whittle down your postgraduate degree even more, you can also choose between a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Engineering (MEng), or Master of Fine Arts (MFA).
You’ll be looking at around CA$13,000-20,500 per year for a Master’s degree.
Canada has a wonderful Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) in place to further incentivize international students to obtain jobs after finishing grad school.
90% of those that stick around Canada after completing a postgraduate course are in the workforce within 6 months!
A four-year college course is required to be eligible to receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Canada. For those who want to study in America, the same applies. The United States is also available.
Canada is the only country where a master’s level degree can be earned. Some European countries allow you to obtain your Master’s degree, which includes an undergraduate degree, for a period of three years.
To complete a Master’s Degree in Canada, you will need to have a budget of $1300-$26000.
Study in Canada: For PhDs
Do you want to take your postgraduate studies another step forward? Whether you have already completed your Master’s degree elsewhere, or you are currently chipping away, finding the right Ph.D. program in Canada will come with a wealth of benefits.
Again, Canada’s tuition fees for international students pursuing Doctorate degrees are more attractive than its North American neighbor to the south, as well as Australia and the UK.
Some Canadian universities are reducing or even obliterating extra fees for internationals in their Doctoral programs.
There are currently close to 200,000 international students taking on their PhDs in Canada, which can take anywhere from three to six years to complete.
Upon completion of your Ph.D., you are entitled to a 3-year work permit, which could eventually lead to permanent residence or citizenship.
Study in Canada: For Postdoctoral
Postdoctoral fellows (PDFs), otherwise known as postdoctoral researchers, are those that choose to remain in academia after completing their PhDs.
Most universities have their own internal fellowships, but there are also many outside agencies that can help place PDFs with organizations or institutions.
Course fees To Study in Canada
Canada has one of the lowest tuition fees in Europe, so you don’t have to worry about paying the highest fees for courses here.
The course you choose will determine the amount that you have to pay.
It would be a good idea to have a monthly budget of at least $30,000 for college in Canada.
Your budget is a major factor in how much you can afford to live in Canada. You can live comfortably in Canada for six months with a $10,000 budget.
If you haven’t already figured it out, studying in Canada as an international student is generally much less expensive than studying in the UK, US, and Australia!
Costs vary widely based on the institution, but generally, you will be paying CA$ 20,000-30,000/year for undergraduate programs. Postgraduate programs tend to run a little lower (around CA$16,000/year), while executive MBA programs are usually more (CA$30,000/year).
Living costs vary greatly, mainly depending on your spending habits and if you are in a big city. You are required to have at least CA$10,000/year put away for living costs to obtain a student visa, though most universities recommend having closer to CA$15,000.
It’s always good to have a little bit of extra money budgeted for any unexpected costs, such as winter wear and supplies.
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Study Insurance
Another huge plus for studying in Canada is that some provinces offer some form of health insurance for free to international students!
The important thing to check here would be what exactly the health insurance covers, as this varies significantly between provinces.
If you will be studying in a province that does not provide free health insurance, you will need to make your own arrangements while applying for your student visa.
Be aware also that whether you purchase health insurance or apply for free health insurance that timing is very important! Some coverage is not applicable as soon as you touch down in Canada. Be sure to check this out in your research.
Scholarships In Canada
While you may be able to spend money on education in Canada, it is important to remember that not everyone will be able to pay the tuition at Canadian higher education institutions.
There are many scholarships available to help students who cannot afford higher education in Canada. Scholarships can be applied for by both government and private organizations.
These documents can be consulted to find the requirements for the award and prepare you for your application.
Top Scholarships to Apply for if you want to study in Canada
- David Johnston – Lebovic Foundation International Experience Awards in Canada
- Ubakata Fund for Japanese Students at the University of Toronto in Canada, 2019
- President’s Scholarship for World Leaders for International Students in Canada, 2019
- University Entrance Scholarship at Concordia University of Edmonton, Canada, 2019
- International Undergraduate Student Bursary at the University of Alberta in Canada, 2019
- General Bursary Program at the University of British Columbia in Canada, 2019
- TSoM Love Canada Diploma Scholarships for International Students in Canada, 2019
- VISTA Postdoctoral Fellowships at York University in Canada
- Merit Scholarships for International Students at CEGEP in Canada
- ESL Graduate Bursary for International Students at the University of Saskatchewan, 2019
International Student and Exchanges
Studying abroad is not only cost-effective (you will continue paying your home country’s tuition), but it is also an opportunity to see the world without making such a big investment.
What if you decided to do all 4 years at a Canadian university and decided it was too cold? The people are too nice?
Your current or future university in your home country may have exclusive partnerships with universities in Canada. Queen’s University offers 220 exchange partnerships in over 40 countries.
The University of Victoria has over 300 partnerships worldwide.
Study in Canada: Student Visa
A student visa is a permit that allows international students to study in Canada.
If your program lasts less than six months, however, you won’t have to use it.
Let’s say you need a visa to study in Canada. These are the requirements you must meet in order to get a student visa.
- Passport photo
- The proof of funds
- Reports from the medical profession
- Police reports
You can study in Canada for up to 6 months without a student visa. However, if you wanted to work, you would need to have the proper permit to do so.
The following documents are required to apply for a study permit:
Proof of Acceptance – the acceptance letter you received from your university.
Proof of Identity – a valid passport will serve this purpose.
Proof of Sufficient Funds – CA$ 10,000/year + $833 for each additional month.
The application costs CA$ 150, and the process is substantially less of a headache than in most other countries.
Providing a letter of explanation is also a good idea. This could hasten your approval, as it will help the visa officer understand your aspirations and responsibilities as a foreigner in Canada.
If you’ve already been accepted into a Canadian university, you can start the application process HERE.
What are the best ways to study in Canada?
In Canada, each university has its own entrance requirements and will assess you on an individual basis, according to the standard process.
It all depends on where you want to study in Canada.
Although it is not mandatory, it is a good practice to have an acceptance letter signed by the university inviting you to study in Canada.
Apply for your student visa now.
Language Requirements
No matter your nationality or race, you will be required to pass a language test, in French or English, regardless of your nationality.
Since Canada is a bilingual country, courses at Canadian universities will be taught in either English or French.
Even if you are a native English or French speaker, you’ll need to take a language proficiency test.
If you are applying for an English-speaking university, IELTS is accepted by all. For the French language, TEF is the most commonly used and accepted.
Fees for these are generally around $100.
Funding to Study in Canada
Although the course fees for international students may seem like pocket money compared to other countries, paying for higher education can still be very difficult.
Unless you have a money tree in your backyard, you’ll likely be applying for scholarships to help cut some of the cost.
Universities in Canada offer a broad range of their own scholarships, ranging from academic and athletic achievements to more specific individual fields of study.
It is also a good idea to thoroughly research organizations in your home country that are offering study-abroad scholarships.
As with any money scholarship opportunities, competition is generally quite high. Find your ways to stand out and apply as early and to as many as possible.
Although the application for a student visa requires you to prove that you’ll have sufficient funds for the duration of your studies WITHOUT work, getting a job on or off campus is an excellent way to supplement some of your spending money.
As a full-time student in Canada, you are entitled to work 20 hours/week during semesters and full-time during winter/summer breaks. Wow, that’s amazing!
How to Apply to Study in Canada
Applications vary depending on the institution, but generally, you will need to prove your language proficiency, provide transcripts from previous education, prove financial stability, and medical coverage.
Ensuring you meet all the requirements for the institution you wish to apply to is a key step in saving you from trouble in the future.
When applying to most universities, you will need to choose your major. If you are unsure exactly what this may be, don’t fret. Canadian universities are generally quite flexible with changing majors later.
Designated Learning Institutes are schools that are approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. Be doubly sure you are applying to a school that is on this list.
You should apply no later than March if you wish to begin studying in September. Some universities have different deadlines, so be sure to research the universities you wish to apply to!
Comparison to UK Qualifications
As stated before, tuition cost is much less in Canada. The cost of living is a little bit less as well.
Though cost is a very important factor for most people in determining which university to study at, what it really gets down to is up to you.
There are many universities in Canada and the UK that are internationally respected. Find the one that is right for your situation.
While the UK still has more universities in the QS World University Rankings 2019, Canada is quickly overtaking the UK as the most desired country for international students to study in.
I hope that you found answers to all your questions about Study In Canada: Scholarships, Visas, Financial Aid, and Admissions in this exhaustive article.
Thank you!
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