Why study in Canada?
Some of the benefits of studying in Canada include:
- World-class universities: Canadian universities are ranked among the top universities in the world. In the QS World University Rankings 2023, a total of 8 Canadian universities are within the 200 ranks. Whereas, in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings 2023, a total of 7 universities are in the 200 ranks.
- Affordable education: Compared to the US and UK, the tuition fee of Canada is fairly cheaper. If we consider the return on investment, Canada is quite a viable option for Indian students. One can also apply for a range of Canadian scholarships to cut down the educational expenses.
- Cultural diversity: There are very welcoming and warm people who come from varied ethnic groups with different cultures and lifestyles. This multicultural environment in Canada is one of the noteworthy factors that attract international students as it promotes friendliness and peaceful living like no other country. According to Statistics Canada 2017, in Canada, there are more than 250 ethnic origins along with 200 languages from around the world and 70 indigenous languages spoken.
- Lively and vibrant campus life: At Canadian universities, students can expect fests, events, and activities to be conducted throughout the year. This creates a lively and happy environment for all the students as it helps in making a network and meeting new people, whilst keeping the homesickness away.
- Immigration opportunities: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada shall allow students to stay there and get some work experience after the completion of graduation. The maximum length of a PGWP is three years.
Education System in Canada
As mentioned above, Canada is recognized for providing affordable education. The education system in Canada is managed by the provincial governments. The study levels and educational stages may vary across different clusters. Check the details for the same given below.
Cost of Studying in Canada
Canada, as a country, offers much more affordable education than other developed countries like the US and UK. The cost of studying in Canada varies as per the course, university, city location, etc.
The average of the data available shows that the average cost to pursue an undergraduate program will be CAD 6800 per year. On the other hand, for a master’s degree, the tuition fee can range from CAD 21,100 per year (As per statistics Canada, 2022)
Cost of Living in Canada
Food, accommodation, clothing and recreational activities, etc are usually covered under the cost of living. On average, since the cost of accommodation, food and local transportation vary from city to city, the average cost of living in Canada will be around CAD 15,000.
Canadian Student Visa
A Canadian study permit is a document issued by Canadian immigration authorities that further serves as permission for Indian students to study in Canada. Note that international students cannot study in Canada without getting a valid study permit.
Before applying for a Canadian study permit, check the eligibility requirements. Some of the documents required to apply for a Canadian student visa are a valid passport, proof of acceptance by a DLI, proof of funds, passport-size photographs, an English language proficiency score, a statement of purpose, etc. A study permit for Canada is CAD 150.
Admission Requirements to study in Canada
The eligibility requirements to study in Canada will vary from course to course and from university to university. Some of the basic eligibility requirements are given below.
- Academic transcripts
- Standardized test scores – SAT
- Standardized test scores – GMAT / GRE / LSAT
- English language proficiency test scores: TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo / CAEL
- Statement of Purpose
- Essay
- Letter of Recommendation
- Copy of your valid passport
- Proof of finances
Top Courses in Canada
Canada is the most popular destination for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Certificate / Diploma courses are also offered at Canadian universities. Given below is a list of the courses in Canada that remain high in demand.
- Business Management
- IT & Computer Science
- Engineering
- Health, Biosciences & Pharmacy
- Media & Journalism
- Agriculture Science
- Architecture
- Culinary Management
- Hospitality Management
Top Cities preferred by Students in Canada
Canada is home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world as per many global ranking providers. These universities are located in some of the popular cities like Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, etc. Many big and small cities are there for students to study in Canada. In addition, these cities offer a lifestyle similar to that of the U.S. and provide employment opportunities to students. Check the popular student cities in Canada below.
- Montreal
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Ottawa
- Quebec
- Edmonton
- Winnipeg
- Calgary
- Saskatoon
Scholarships to study in Canada
At the time of deciding to study abroad, one thing that lingers generally in the minds of international students is the cost of studying. However, the tuition fee in Canada is less than in other developed countries like the U.S. and the U.K. There are some scholarships available for meritorious students who want to study in Canada. In order to avail of the scholarships to study in Canada, students need to have a track of good academics and extra-curricular achievements. Need-based scholarships are also available for students
Education Loan for studying in Canada
Canada is the most preferred destination to study abroad by international students. The cost of studying in Canada entirely depends on the course, university, duration of the course, and the cost of living. Not everyone can afford to study and live in Canada. This is why various banks and financial institutions offer education loans to students who want to study in Canada.
Before applying for an educational loan to study in Canada, check the eligibility criteria in advance in order to get the loan approval. Note that different types of expenses are covered under a different schemes, so check with the banks to know what all expenses are covered in the loan scheme. Some of the expenses covered under the educational loan are:
- Tuition fees
- Travel expenses
- Cost of buying books and other study material
- Hostel fee
- Laboratory fee
- Purchase of laptop
- Expenses for study tours or project tours
Part-time Work Options for International Students in Canada
On the Canadian student visa, students can work for 20 hours/week on a paid job, while studying. Generally, for part-time jobs in Canada, students are paid by hours. On average, the rate of pay is around $13-16 an hour.
However, recently, international students who are in Canada and who have off-campus work authorization on their study permit shall not be restricted by the rule of 20 hours per week. Generally, students can work full-time during school breaks.
Post-Study Work Permit in Canada
Obtaining a post-graduation work permit while studying in Canada depends a lot on the course and its duration. A work permit under the PGWP is generally issued for the length of the study program. The maximum length of PGWP in Canada is of 3 years.
A post-graduation work permit in Canada allows students to stay there and gain some work experience after completing their graduation. In the long run, getting a skilled Canadian work experience through PGWP allows graduates to qualify for PR in Canada within Express Entry.
Job Prospects in Canada (ROI)
Every student who wants to study abroad remains worried about the return on their investments (ROI). Students want the most for their money spent on education. The cost of studying abroad is a lot for the majority of students and a possibility of a high return on investment is important for them.
Predicting a future for the job market at the time of graduation is a little difficult, however, in this section, we have tried to mention what the employment prospects for students might look like in Canada. Though according to a recent study 60% of international students who were employed during their period of study or after graduation became landed immigrants within 10 years of having obtained their first study permit as per Statistics Canada, 2021.
Popular Job Sectors in Canada
According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), economic growth in Canada in real GDP is projected to slow from 3.2% in 2022 to 1% in 2023, before strengthening to 1.3% in 2024. Some of the popular job sectors in Canada are Education, Healthcare, and IT.
The popular jobs in Canada for international students are:
- Project Managers
- Registered Nurses
- Cardiologist
- Management Consultant
- Software Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Marketing Officer