How to Study in Canada for International Students – Canada is a country located in North America. It is one of the best countries for international students. Every year students from different countries fight for a spot in the Canadian educational system.Although Canada is such a popular education destination, many still don’t know how to study in Canada. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to study in Canada as an international student.
Benefits of Studying in Canada
- Canada has some of the top universities in the world. These universities prepare students for their professions.
- The standard of living in Canada is high, and many students find it appealing.
- Famous languages like English and French are spoken in Canada. This helps to reduce the language barrier problem.
- Students who graduated from Canadian universities have a better chance of getting employment and residing in Canada.
- Canada has one of the best educational systems in the world.
- It is a very affordable able country to study in when compared with other countries.
- Canada is one of the safest countries for international students.
- International students are free to work while studying in Canada.
How is the Education System In Canada?
The educational system in Canada has three intakes, unlike most countries that allow single intakes. This is super beneficial to international students. These three intakes happen in fall, summer, and winter.The main intake begins in the “Fall” which is in September. The “Winter” intake begins in January, and the “Summer” intake happens in May.
Students who want to apply for a scholarship provided by Canadian Institutions should apply for the “Fall” (September) intake.This educational system allows international students to enroll when they can and it is flexible. It is important to find out if your intending university and course offers more than one intake.
Cost of Studying and Living in Canada
Canada is indeed a cheaper option compared to other first-world countries. However, not many can afford it. Below are the estimated costs of studying and living in Canada as an international student.Living and studying in Canada can cost up to CAD 21,200 to CAD 66,500 ( $16,432.76 to $51,543.39) every year.
It is important to note that the program and school you decide to enroll in will affect how much you will spend yearly. If you cannot afford this amount but want to study in Canada, you need to apply for a scholarship to lessen the burden.
How to Study in Canada for International Students
- Select a university and program
- Apply for a visa
- Look for accommodation
Select a university and program
The first step you should take as an international student to study in Canada is to select a program and university of your choice. The university and program/course you choose will determine how the rest of your stay in Canada will play out.Take your time in researching the university you want to apply for.
This is where you will spend 2 to 4 years of your academic life. Take it seriously. Check their admission requirements, check the tuition, the duration for the course you want to study, and scholarship opportunities. Once you are done with your research, apply for the university of your choice and wait for admission news.
Apply for a visa
The next step to take after applying to a university is to apply for a visa. Once you have gotten your admission letter from your chosen university, proceed to apply for a visa. The faster the better because it takes up to 5 months to process a Canadian visa. It could be less or more depending on your country and the number of applicants applying at the same time as you.
Apply early to your university of choice to avoid last-minute visa applications. Your physical presence is not always needed for the visa processing but you could be called in for an interview.Please note that you are applying for a Canadian student visa and not a temporary resident visa.
A study visa is what gives you the right to live and study in Canada for a time frame without it, you cannot proceed. The time frame on your study visa is the same as the course you are studying plus 90 days. The extra 90 days help you to plan your exit or stay in Canada.
Make sure that you have all your visa processing documents on time. The requirements for applying for a student visa might differ from country to country. Always confirm what is required from your country before proceeding. To be on the safer side, apply and get your Canadian study visa before moving to Canada.
Below are the general requirements needed for a Canadian student visa.
- 2 valid passport photographs to prove your identity.An international passport or its equivalent.
- Admission letter from your chosen university to prove university acceptance.
- A medical report from a qualified doctor. This doctor has to be affiliated with Canadian immigration. Do this a week or two before applying for your visa to enable the doctor to upload your report. This is known as the immigration medical examination (IME).
- Document proving your English language proficiency. IELTS and TOEFL are allowed.
- Two letters of attestation from your faculty/school or employee.
- Proof of financial need. This could be a bank statement in the past four months or any document to prove you are in financial need.
- A statement of purpose or letter of intent (LOI). This is a detailed essay that highlights why you selected your university of choice, and why you want to travel.
- Academic certificates.
Look for accommodation
Once you have been given a study permit or student visa, you should look for an apartment. You can live with a host family, in a student’s hostel, in an apartment, or with family members. Stay where your money can afford plus where you are comfortable if possible.
Note: Canadian universities currently do not accept third-class in their undergraduate degree. Make sure you are eligible for the university and course you want to study in Canada before applying.
Top Universities in Canada for International Students
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- Université de Montréal
- McMaster University
- University of Waterloo
- University of Calgary
- Western University
- Queen’s University
- University of Toronto
- University of Alberta
McGill University
McGill University is one of the best higher learning institutions in Canada. It is located in Montreal, Quebec Canada, and was established in 1821.This university is great for international students. It offers courses like civil engineering, computer science, and law, medicine, amongst others. Plus, it is located in Montreal which is one of the cheapest cities in Canada to live in as a student. It also teaches its courses in the English language.
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is another top school for international students in Canada. It is located in British Columbia, Kelowna, and Vancouver.This prestigious university was established in 1908 and offers programs in engineering, physical therapy, medicine, and computer, among others.
Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal is a public research university loaded in Quebec, Canada. It is a great school for international students.This university popularly known as UdeM offers courses in psychology, medicine, and economics, among others.
McMaster University
McMaster University is among the best universities in Canada for international students. It was founded in 1877 and offers courses like computer science, and nursing, medicine, among others. University of Waterloo The University of Waterloo is great for international students. It is located in Waterloo, Ontario, and offers courses like chemical engineering, medicine, computer engineering, and economics, amongst others.
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary offers programs in computer science, medicine, and nursing, amongst others to both Canadian students and international students. It is one of the best universities for international students.Western University Western University is also among the top Canadian universities for international students. It is located in London, Ontario, Canada, and offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas like engineering and computer science, amongst others.
Queen’s University
Queen’s University offers courses like medicine, nursing, economics, and engineering among others. It is also a great school for international students in Canada.
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is one of the best schools for international students in Canada. It is well known and offers courses in aerospace engineering, psychology, and medicine amongst others.This research-oriented university is also known as Utoronto and is located in the beautiful city of Toronto.
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is considered one of the top Canadian universities for international students. It offers both graduate and undergraduate programs in courses like engineering, and medicine, amongst others.
Conclusion
Canada is one of the best places to study in the world. It is affordable and offers endless opportunities to international students.We covered how to study in Canada as an international student in this article. We hope you found this article on “How to Study in Canada for International Students” informative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, international students can study for free in Canada with the help of a scholarship.
The minimum amount you can spend for a Canadian student visa is $150 (CAD). Your country can affect the amount you are to pay for a Canada study visa. Kindly, ensure that you find out from the Canadian immigration website how much it will cost you to get a study visa.
Canada is a cheaper option than other popular educational destinations. It costs an estimated CAD 21,200 to CAD 66,500 ( $16,432.76 to $51,543.39) to study and live in Canada yearly.The school and program you choose will determine how much you will spend to live and study in Canada. If you cannot afford to study and live in Canada, you can apply for the diverse scholarship programs offered in Canada.
Yes, Canada is a great place to study for international students. It is affordable in comparison to other first-world countries. It has some of the top universities in the world. Plus, international students can stay back and work in Canada after graduation. The possibilities are endless.
Yes, a poor student can study in Canada. Canada is a cheaper option compared to other first-world countries. Students can apply for the numerous scholarship offered in Canada to lessen the financial burden.
Reference
- https://www.immigration.ca/study-in-canada-step-by-step-guide-for-international-students
- https://www.canadim.com/study/
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada
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