Overview
Thinking of Canada reminds us of Niagara Falls, Snow, Northern Lights and a country most popular amongst Punjabis. But this country has so much more to offer. Did you know it is the second largest country in the world and is the largest in the North American continent? It is very welcoming of international students and has one of the friendliest immigration policies in the world. It is a land of opportunities, diversity and cosmopolitan cities.
Why this country
It is a country that has a dominant and national language in English. Not just the capital of Ottawa, but Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal are all English speaking. One simply has to find their field of study and not worry about the language.
The universities in Canada have historically been recognised for their academic performance and post-graduation employment opportunities. This is the land of affordable excellence.
The diversity in cultures gives you a multicultural, homely and peaceful environment. The people are friendly and approachable. As this country hosts almost all nationalities from the world, no one can truly be homesick here.
The quality of life in Canada is among the best in the world. It is known to be one of the safest countries on the globe, renowned for its low crime rates.
Canada believes in open and independent learning. Professors are guides and education is imparted through workshops, assignments, group projects and traditional lectures. Educational institutions encourage research and innovation.
Education System
Canadian education is designed for three degrees- bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. There are several vocational programs as well under the CEGEP (General and Vocational College) in Quebec. The education system is diverse and Canada offers education in nearly 11,000 streams. They have community colleges, private colleges and CEGEP.
Eligibility
To be eligible for further studies in Canada, the aspirants need to appear for tests for proficiency in English along with general exams.
Some of the common language exams that have a validation are:-
● TOEFL- Test of English as Foreign Language- This tests non-native English speakers ability to understand and write North American English.
● IELTS- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English language proficiency exam. This exam is conducted to evaluate the English language ability of examinees who are studying or working in a country that has English as their Native language.
● PTE (Pearson Test of English) – PTE is similar to the other two tests. It is a computer-based test that evaluates the candidates on their Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
● CAEL- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment Test- a standardized test set by the Canadian institutions of English in use for academic purposes.
The general exams are-
● GMAT – The Graduate Management Admission Test for business or management-related programs.
● GRE – The Graduate Record Examination is the aptitude test to evaluate the graduates for admission in schools for MA or MS.
● LSAT – The Law School Admission Test for law-related courses.
● SAT – The Scholastic Assessment Test for admission in undergraduate levels.
Apart from this, some universities may have special or different requirements. Therefore, it is advisable for students to check the exact requirements of the university they are interested in.
Popular Courses
While Canadian institutes and universities are famous for providing a variety of courses, there are some which are more popular than the others. They are namely-
● Business Course- not just a Master in Business Administration (MBA), but also other business and management related courses are famous.● Environmental Science Program- The most in-depth course on environmental science, it teaches the manner in which environmental and social problems can be approached with both ecology policies and ethics.
● Social Sciences- The courses here have an interdisciplinary perspective that helps the students of psychology, political sciences, international relations.
● Medicine- One of the premier healthcare sectors in the world, Canada has a detailed and research-based approach to medicine.
● Engineering and Technology- System, Biomedical, Computer and Electric are some of the most advanced engineering fields.
Scholarships
There is a high number of opportunities available for receiving grants. However, there are certain criteria before one can apply for them. These include
UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award
The amount covered is on a need basis and is mostly given to cover tuition, cost of living and other fees.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships funded by the Government of Canada
Another interesting scholarship for the post-doctoral students across fields. This is worth $50,000 per year for three years.
Sauvé Scholars Program by the Jeanne Sauvé Youth Foundation
This is a scholarship for 14 young leaders from across the globe. All of their expenses are covered and they are hosted in Montreal.
Humber International Entrance Scholarships
This scholarship is for full and partial renewable tuition scholarships. This is offered as 2 Full tuition scholarships and 2 $5,000. It comes with conditions whereby the student needs to maintain a GPA of 75%.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship by the Government of Canada
A very interesting program for attracting the top-tier postdoctoral talent to stay back. This is valid for both national and international applicants.
Living Expenses
While the cost of tuition is the primary expense for most students planning to study abroad, the cost of living and other expenses also matter.
1 | Undergraduate program | $13,000 to $20,000 |
2 | Postgraduate master’s degree | $17,000 to $25,000 |
3 | Doctoral degree | $7,000 to $15,000 |
4 | MBA | $30,000 to $40,000 |
- Accommodation expenses- $600 to $2000 a month
- Food Expenses- $1000 a month
- Communication expenses- $20 per month
- Books and supplies- $250-350 per month
- Health insurance $600-900 annually
All the figures are in Canadian Dollars.
Visa Requirements
- Proof of Acceptance: From a Designated learning institute (DLI) is needed
- Proof of Identity in the form of a valid passport
- If the student is availing a loan then proof of student loan from a bank
- Canada’s financial institution must have issued Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC)
- Attested 4-month bank statement
- Letter from the sponsor if funds are being paid by the sponsor
Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ): In case you choose Quebec as the education city, the candidate needs to get a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, Diversité et Inclusion (MIDI).
Work Opportunities
Careers that are highly sought after are in the sector of-
● Medical and allied services
● Human resource
● Nursing and paramedical services
● Information security analysis
● Marketing analysis
● Tourism and hospitality
● Management
To earn some extra cash on the side, students are eligible to work on and off-campus. The permission is granted for:-
● 20 hours in a week during the study sessions● 40 hours in a week during holidays and no classes period.
● Internships and volunteering are allowed beyond the specified hours.
The Youth Employment Strategy focuses on three streams: Skills Link, Career Focus and Canada Summer Jobs.
For off-campus jobs-
● You need a valid study permit and should be currently studying● You should be a holder of a social insurance number (SIN)
● You must be registered at a designated learning institution (DLI) at the post-secondary level or be enrolled in the Quebec programme
● You must study an academic, vocational or professional training programme that finishes in a degree, a diploma or a certificate
If you plan to work on-campus, you won’t be required a work permit or a social insurance number (SIN), and you can also exceed the 20 hours/week limit during semesters
PSW Visa
On completion of their program of study, the student has the following possible options-
● Applying for the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) before the expiry of their study program or within 90 days of graduation.
● In case the student is continuing their study program, then
● They have filed for the permit before the previous program ended
● The previous institute has issued a certificate of completion
● Acceptance letter for the new program has been duly received
● Starts the new program within 150 days of the completion of the old program.
This is valid for 3 years. After which the application for Permanent Residency can be made. Which has a very high chance of being granted.Life & Culture
Student life
The schools and universities are all-inclusive, respectful and mindful of the cultures and ethos of an International student. There is a lot of guidance and coaching available. Canadian universities lay stress on learning through experiences and research, so there is a lot of practical training.
Culture
It is a vibrant and developed economy, which has plenty of job and growth opportunities. Canada is a country that allows you to bring the family along to stay in Canada if you can afford to do so. The country is multicultural, diverse and a melting pot of experiences and growth. There is no peer pressure or performance stress given to students. It is one of the safest countries in the world to stay in.Famous places
Well if you are not looking out for the snow, Northern lights or the Maple leaf, Canada can offer you some fantastic experiences.
● Niagara Falls- the massive waterfall straddling the border of the USA and Canada surely needs no introduction
● Gros Morne National Park- a natural wonder which helps understand how continents were formed. The natural flora and fauna diversity mean you can see tiny shrubs to large whales. This is a world of its own.
● Bay of Fundy- located on the east coast of Canada, this is a uniquely shaped bay with high tidal waves.
● Churchill- This is the Polar Bear Capital of the world.
● Old Quebec- Historical city, this looks just out of postcards
Other Popular Countries
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