Guide to Study in Canada – All you need to know about studying in Canada

Guide to Study in Canada – All you need to know about studying in Canada

Keywords: Study In Canada, Guide To Study In Canada, Why Study In Canada, Reasons To Study In Canada, IELTS score for Canada, Top Universities In Canada, Cost Of Studying In Canada, Study Visa For Canada, Application Process To Study In Canada

Choose to study in Canada, and you’ll have the opportunity to encounter vastly different cultural and natural experiences – from the ski slopes of British Columbia to the prairie province of Manitoba, with cities such as Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver and Quebec famously friendly, tolerant and multicultural.

Canada has world-renowned academic institutions, simplified visa and economical tuition fees and living costs. If you want to study in Canada but are not sure about where to begin, here is a comprehensive guide which will inform you on Canada’s major universities, admission process as well as the visa procedures for international students. 

Also Read: Guide to study MBA in Canada

Why Study in Canada?

Top-Ranked Academic Institutions
Canada is that it is home to some of the internationally renowned universities around the world. The Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2020 featured around 30 universities in Canada amongst the best ones in the world. Canada Education System has been globally ranked at #3 in the best countries for Education by US News in 2020. 

Work Part-time
Higher education in a foreign country can be very expensive. In Canada you can work either on-campus or off-campus while studying. You can work 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during the semester break. 

Also Read: Study abroad amidst COVID-19 breakdown 

Scholarships
There are many scholarships from government, non-governmental organizations, and universities for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Affordable Studying & Living Costs
As compared to other English Speaking Countries like USA, UK, and Australia, costs to study in Canada is relatively affordable without compromising with the quality of education. 

Safety
Canada is amongst the top 10 safest countries in the world as per the Global Peace Index 2019. 

Intakes in Canada
Before applying to any university in Canada, you should first check the course availability based on the intakes. Details pertaining to the study intakes have been tabulated below. 

 Also Read: Study MBA in Canada without work experience

Study in Canada: Application Process

The process of applying to universities in Canada is generally straightforward.

Step 1: Find a Suitable Course and University
Search the internet for available diploma and degree programs in your field of interest as well as the universities offering them.

Step 2: Identify Requirements
Applying to study in Canada can be a lengthy process and it’s to know the admission requirements in order to fulfill the conditions in time. Some of the documents you will need are transcripts and mark sheets of your academics (School and University) and language proficiency scores (IELTS Score for Canada). In addition, some universities ask for a letter of motivation, letters of recommendation (LOR), and Statement of Purpose (SOP).

Step 3: Submitting the Application Form
Most Canadian Universities and colleges accept online applications. You need to fill out the application form, attach all the necessary documents, and pay the application fees. Please note that most Canadian Colleges charge around CA$100 (average) for each application. Thus, it is very important to shortlist the right colleges based on the eligibility criteria and not on your ambition. Otherwise you may end up spending a lot of money on applications and not receiving any offer letters.

All our students get offer letters from Canadian colleges and expertise with minimum expenditure on the application fee. We offer many discounts and waivers on the application fee and get your offer letters in 1-2 weeks.

Step 4: Prepare Visa Application
Once you are accepted at a university or college, you can start preparing your visa application. To know everything about visa applications, read our extensive guide on How to apply for Canada Student Visa. Briefly, you need the following documents:

• Passport
• Letter of acceptance
• English Language Test Score (IELTS)
• Proof that you have enough money to pay tuition fee and living expenses
• GIC certificate for SDS-stream
• Statement of Purpose
• Medical Examination
• Police certificate
• Biometrics 

Also Read: How to get PR in Canada? 

IELTS Score For Canada

The Canadian immigration department is quite particular about English Proficiency Requirements. For undergraduate courses, a minimum overall IELTS band of 6.0 with 6.0 in each section is required, and for postgraduate courses, a minimum overall IELTS band of 6.5 with 6.0 in each section is required. However, it is still possible to get a study visa for Canada at the IELTS Band Score of 5.5 under the non-SDS category. To find out the colleges in Canada that accept IELTS 5.5 Band click here.

Cost of Studying in Canada

The total cost of studying in Canada can be broken down into different expenses such as tuition fees, accommodation rent, food, and stationery expenses, etc. Undergraduate tuition fees can range from CA$5,5000 to CA$15,000 depending on the course. Medicine and dentistry courses are generally more expensive followed by engineering and humanities courses. Tuition fees for postgraduate courses can range from CA$7,000 to CA$15,000 depending on the course and institution. Living cost in Canada varies from city to city, but on an average, you need to allocate CA$10,000 for a year. To see a comprehensive breakdown of tuition fees and living expenses, read this article.

Also Read: Apply to colleges in Canada without IELTS

How long is the Study in Canada student permit valid?

The validity of student permit for study in Canada depends on the duration of your course. In most cases, the study permit is valid for the entire duration of your course. In case you are not able to complete your studies in the duration of your study permit, you can apply to extend your stay in Canada. If you complete your studies before your study permit expires, the permit becomes inadmissible 90 days after you complete your studies. 

Post-Graduation Work Permit [PGWP] in Canada

After completing your course, you will have 180 days to apply for a PGWP.

Part-time Work Opportunities

The Canadian government allows international students to work for 20 hours a week while pursuing higher education in the country. You can choose from on-campus or off-campus jobs, and if you are an international student, it is important your study permit must indicate that you are allowed to work. 

On-Campus
In this type of job, you’re allowed to work for your school, faculty member, your own business, and a student organization without a work permit. You’re only permitted to work if you have:

• A full-time post-secondary student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• A valid study permit
• A Social Insurance Number

Off-Campus
In such a job, you’re allowed to work outside your school to explore part-time opportunities like a tutor, waiter, or in any other temporary positions, but you’re allowed to work only when you have:

• A valid study permit that indicates you’re allowed to work off-campus,
• Enrolled at a DLI (Designated Learning Institute),
• Studying a 6-month program that leads to a degree, certificate, or diploma.
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) 

Also Read: Canada Vs Australia – Where you should study?

Top Universities in Canada 

Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Scholarships, grants, and bursaries are available for international students wishing to study in Canada, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It’s important to apply as early as possible as scholarship funding is limited and highly competitive. 

We regularly post scholarship updates on our Blog and on Facebook Page. To receive the latest scholarship updates, like and follow our Facebook page or Instagram profile. 

One example of a source of scholarships to study in Canada is the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to students of other Commonwealth countries. Some of the key scholarships available for higher studies in Canada are: 

• Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program
• Ontario Trillium Scholarship
• National Research Council of Canada (NRCC)
• Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
• Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship
• Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute 

Also visit: Our Scholarships page to see scholarships available in Canada. 

Which are the most in-demand courses to study in Canada?

Some of the in-demand courses in Canada that are based on the most in-demand jobs are:

1. Vocational or College Instructor
2. Licensed Practical Nurse
3. Business Management Consultant
4. Software Engineer/ Designer
5. Industrial Electrician
6. Aerospace Engineer
7. Pharmacist
8. Aircraft Pilot
9. Psychologist
10. Construction Estimator
11. Registered Nurse
12. Computer and software related jobs 

Is it easy for international students to get a job after studying in Canada?

With friendly immigration rules and regulations, finding a job after completing your studies in Canada is an easy task as compared to other countries. Those who graduate from one of the designated learning institutions are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, i.e. PGWP. 

What is the minimum account balance required for Canadian Student Visa?

To study in Canada, you have to give proof of funds. Currently, the minimum bank balance which you need to have is CAD 10,000 [Rs 5,40,000]. Furthermore, to study in Quebec, you need to have a minimum of CAD 11,000 [Rs 5,96,000]. If you have not paid the tuition fee then also include the amount of the tuition fees. 

What is the minimum IELTS score required to study in Canada?

In case you are applying for a student visa, you need to score a minimum aggregate of 6 and a minimum of 5.5 in each section of the IELTS paper, for all the undergraduate degrees offered to study in Canada. For postgraduate degrees, you need to score a minimum of 6 in all the four sections and a minimum aggregate of 6.5. 

Which exams are necessary to study in Canada?

The basic admission examinations such as the SAT, GRE, or GMAT may be required to study in Canada. Language proficiency exams like IELTS and TOEFL are also necessary to help the university understand whether you can survive in a predominantly English speaking country like Canada. However, individual course admission requirements may differ based on college or universities.

We hope that this blog gave you all the necessary information related to studying in Canada. If you need help at any of these steps get in touch with our team at Road to Abroad.

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