Studying in Canada as an International Student

Benefits to studying in Canada

The advantages of studying in Canada are many. Not only are the schools great, but the after-school life is too. Students can enjoy the natural beauty, the vibrant nightlife, the cultural diversity, and the flexible environment.

International reputation

Canadian universities are well-funded, offer the highest level of education, and have an excellent international reputation. Their standards are also incredibly high, instilling discipline and a love for learning in their students. Once you have completed your degree, you will be prepared to go back home and find many wonderful career opportunities.

Cultural diversity

Canada is the second biggest country in the world. Over the years it has enjoyed an influx of people from far and wide. The resulting mix of cultures has led to international students studying in Canada feeling right at home in their classes, dorm rooms, and after school. Learning about and mingling with other cultures adds a whole new dimension to your learning journey.

Flexibility

Canadian universities pride themselves in offering flexibility throughout their education system. Classes can pivot depending on the student's strengths, interests, and goals. Gone are the days of a rigid structure with no room for individuality. When you study at a Canadian university you can be sure that your personal light will glow and grow.

Excellent afterschool support

The benefits of studying in Canada don't end with classes. The support offered to international students is comprehensive and all-encompassing. From helping you to find part-time jobs if needed to the best digs, you won't have to go it alone. Universities also take care of their student's general and mental health, helping them get set up with the Canadian healthcare system.

Canadian universities

Canada has a wide selection of prestigious universities for you to choose from. Each one has its main draw-cards depending on what you may be looking for. Some are in colder climates, some are based in bigger cities. Here are the top four universities in Canada:

• University of Toronto in Ontario, Toronto. UoT was founded in 1827. It offers 700 undergraduate degrees, 200 postgraduate degrees, and has a capacity of almost 60,000 students. It boasts a multi-campus setup with a strong focus on science and technology.

• University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Vancouver. UBC was founded in 1908. It is highly ranked amongst world universities, being well known for business and technology management, IT and applied technology, liberal arts, and sciences, as well as linguistics and translation.

• McGill University, Quebec, Montreal. McGill is one of the country's oldest Universities, opening its doors in 1813, leading the way with the country's first faculty of medicine in 1929. Famous alumni include learners Cohen and Willaim Shatner.

• McMaster University, Ontario, Hamilton. McMaster has been conveniently rated in the top 100 world Universities for several years. It opened in 1887. Its world-renowned medical school, Faculties of Engineering and Business, and Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science continues to draw students from all around the world.

If you want to have a look at the rest of the top-ranked Canadian Universities, visit this page.

Canadian degrees

There are three qualification choices when studying in Canada.

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

This is the shortest study option and can be found in community colleges and universities all over the country. They are usually a two-year associate degree or a four-year applied degree. There are more than 150 community colleges across the country for you to choose from. Community colleges are also known as institutes and combine high-quality education with employer-centred programs. If you do your post-graduate studies in Canada through one of these colleges, you can be assured of finishing with a good head start in landing your dream job.

Subjects include: health, business, technology, trades, academic upgrading, applied and creative arts, social services, hospitality, university preparation, forestry, art and design, justice and public safety, or Native studies.

Undergraduate – Bachelor’s Degree (3 - 5 years)

If you are busy studying for your bachelor's degree you are known as an undergraduate. This degree requires three to four years of study and is the most popular choice among international students. Every university in the country offers undergraduate studies with a range of qualifications. Students are able to take this one step forward and do an honours degree in their chosen field. This may require an extra year of study.  

Popular subjects include: Economics, medical, engineering, finance & accounting, history and many more.

Postgraduate Master's Degree/Doctoral Degree

A Master's degree in Canada usually involves an extra two years of study after your UG honours. You will need a master's degree in order to study for a doctorate, although in some special cases, students may be granted direct access to a doctorate after honours. Doing your post-grad studies in Canada is often more affordable than in some other countries like the US.

Most master's degrees involve one of two fields:

• Academic/Research

• Professional

Subjects can fall into one or both of these fields, for example, an MS in Psychology has three categories:

• Course and research-based (MS Psychology)

• Intensive research-based (Master of Science in Psychology)

• Professional course (Master of Applied Psychology)

PHDs

Once you have completed your Masters, you can look at doing a Ph.D., Ph.Ds., or doctorates, which are the final degrees that you can study for in Canada. These offer the highest level of education possible in Canada, and involve practical work experience. Most Ph.Ds. are at least three years on top of your master's and bachelor's, but you can study for up to six years. Canadian Ph.D degrees are more research-based than other countries, allowing their students to develop and write their doctoral thesis over a number of years. The first year of your doctorate will have elements of practical experience, while the later years will focus more on research.

Once you have completed your Ph.D. in Canada, you will be eligible to work and live there for up to three years, which could open doors to permanent residency.

Ph.D. opportunities will be advertised online, and you will have to apply for one. There will likely be a number of candidates applying for the same position. To get the chance to study for your Ph.D. you will need to go through a few rounds of interviews, submit a research proposal, and potential funding channels.

Student Exchange programmes

Some colleges and universities in Canada have exchange programs. You will need to be enrolled in a school in your home country already. In the same way, if you are a Canadian student you can look at funding your research and studies overseas.

Study in Canada : scholarships

Students who are already studying at post-secondary schools in eligible countries can apply for short-term exchange opportunities. These will be based on study and/or research in Canadian post-secondary schools at college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships

The Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships is aimed at students from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states. They can apply for short-term exchange possibilities at publicly funded Canadian schools.

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program

This program offers students from  Latin America and the Caribbean the opportunity to study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions for a short time.

Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) - for students

This scholarship is for students in member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to study or research at college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program

This scholarship offers faculty or international liaison officers/managers from post-secondary institutions in CARICOM member and associate member states the chance to work, graduate study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program

This program offers scholarships to full-time teaching or research staff, master's or doctoral graduates, and professionals who are based in China to develop their research in Canada.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

This program offers funding to top postdoctoral national and international applicants. They must be able to positively contribute to Canada’s economic, social, and research-based growth.

Organization of American States Academic Scholarship Program

This program gives graduate students from an OAS member state scholarship opportunities to study in Canada.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

This program is designed for doctoral students. It supports students who show both leadership skills and excellent achievements in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences, and/or engineering and health.

There are several scholarship opportunities for international students to study in Canada. If you are interested in this, have a look at the EduCanada site here.

How to apply to study in Canada?

The application process is complicated. You need to get the right documents to study in Canada, as well as know where and what you want to study. These are the steps you need to follow:

1. Pick your program. Before you can even think of applying you need to know what you want to study. This will affect what university you go to.

2. Build your list. Build your list of universities that offer your chosen course. Find out what each one of your chosen schools needs for their application process.

3. Prepare your paperwork. Make sure that you have all your document ducks in a row. You will need a letter of motivation, a recommendation letter, and a portfolio of previous work if relevant. If English is not your first language you may need to pass a written English language test.

4. Meet any specific admission requirements. Some Universities may require specific documents.

5. Submit your application. Submitting your application is usually done via an online portal. There are websites that specialize in this. The Canadian government has a site that can help you.

6. Apply for a visa. Once you have heard back from your chosen university and have been accepted, you then need to apply for a student visa.

What visa do I need to study in Canada?

To study in Canada as an international student you need a Canadian study permit. You can apply from inside Canada, as well as your home country. Remember a study permit is not a visa, and you may need to apply for one of these as well, depending on where you are applying from. You won't need a study permit if your course is 6 months or less. To apply:

1. Go through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website, or mail physical papers to your Canadian embassy.

2. Answer a few questions on the CIC website or via your embassy to find out if you are eligible for an application package.

3. Fill in your application package from either your embassy or the website. You may also need a temporary residency visa, depending on your country of origin.

4. If you are eligible you will receive a code that is valid for 60 days. The page your code is on will also give you a checklist of documents needed to complete your application.

5. Once you have gathered everything you need, create an account on the CIC with your code, submit all your documentation, and wait to see if your visa is granted.

*Disclaimer: For more information visit the government website here. The requirements for a study permit or a visa may change at any time.

Cost of studying in Canada

The average cost of studying in Canada will depend on what sort of school you apply to, and how long you want to study for. Community colleges are your cheapest option, and most offer work-integrated learning so you can earn money while you study.

If you are attending a community college, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $9,000. Tuition ranges from $2,000 per year to $ 18,000 for undergrad studies, with private schools at the high end of the scale. You can expect to pay $2,500 to $18,000 per year for a master’s degree. A Ph.D can cost around $2,500 to $17,000 per year.

For more info on the cost of living for everything that goes from food to public transport have a look at our WorldRemit blog here.

Language requirements to study in Canada

You will need to have a certain proficiency in either English or French to study in Canada. If you are looking to study in Canada from the UK you will likely be alright as your first language will be English. If your first language is not English or French you will need to pass a test (IAEP, IELTS, CAEL). For more info visit the government site here or this article here.

Studying in Canada as an international student can open a whole world of opportunity. The country is vast and beautiful, and the education system is beyond comparison. WorldRemit is here to give you all the info you need to learn about studying in Canada to make your move as smooth as possible. If you want to learn more about living in another country, how to get there and how much it costs, visit our blog here.

Studying in Canada: FAQs

Can I study in Canada without IELTS?

Yes, but you will need some sort of English test equivalent. You won't be able to get a study permit without one. Each university may have its own requirements.

Can I work in Canada while studying?

This will depend on your study permit. If your study permit allows you to work either on or off campus, you won't be able to do so until your studies start.

How much is the visa to study in Canada?

A Canadian study permit is $150. The actual tuition and enrollment fee will vary from school to school. You can get an additional work permit for $155.

The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.