Study in Canada

Canada is one of the most popular international student destinations. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education, there were 621,565 international students at all study levels in Canada at the end of 2021. Every year, Canada welcome hundreds of thousands of international students from all over the world. A high standard of living, flexible and quality education options, a diverse and inclusive environment, affordable education, and a long-term return on investment are some of the reasons to study in Canada. According to U.S. News & World Report 2022, Canada has the third best quality of life in the world.

Many renowned universities are also located in Canada. According to the Times Higher Education rankings for 2023, 7 Canadian universities are among the top 200 in the world. With an ample of state-of-the-art  institutes and low tuition fees, Canada has emerged as a popular study destination for international students seeking higher education.

Why study in Canada?

Some of the benefits of studying in Canada include:

• World-class universities: Universities in Canada are ranked among the best in the world. 8 Canadian universities are ranked among the top 200 in the QS World University Rankings 2023. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings 2023, 7 universities are ranked in the top 200.
• Affordable education: Canada has a lower tuition fee than the United States and the United Kingdom. In terms of return on investment, Canada is a very reasonable alternative for international students. To reduce educational expenses, one might apply for a variety of Canadian scholarships.
• Cultural diversity: There are very welcoming and warm people who come from varied ethnic groups with different cultures and lifestyles. This multi-cultural environment in Canada is one of the notable factors that attract international students as it encourages friendliness and peaceful living in a way that no other country does. According to Statistics Canada, there are over 250 ethnic origins in Canada, as well as 200 languages spoken from across the world and 70 indigenous languages.
• Lively and vibrant campus life: Students at Canadian universities can expect fests, events, and activities to take place throughout the year. This creates a dynamic and joyful environment for all students, allowing them to make networks and meet new people while keeping homesickness away.
• Immigration opportunities: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada allows students to stay in the country after graduation and gain work experience. The maximum length of a PGWP is three years.

Education System in Canada
As was already mentioned, Canada is renowned for providing affordable education. The provincial governments in Canada are in charge of running the educational system. Across different clusters, the educational levels and stages may differ. Check the details for the same given below.

Top Universities in Canada

The best universities in Canada will be discussed in this section. Because Canada has an exceptional educational system, some of the best universities in the world, and an English-language curriculum, foreign students continue to be eager to study there. A wide variety of full-time degree programs are offered by Canadian universities, which makes Canada an ideal location for international study. Let’s look at how Canadian universities are ranked globally by the two most respected ranking services, QS and Times Higher Education (THE).

Cost of Studying in Canada
Canada as a country offers education at much more affordable than other developed countries like the US and UK. The cost of studying in Canada varies depending on the course, the university, the city, etc. According to the available data, enrolling in an undergraduate degree will usually cost CAD 6800 per year. On the other hand, the cost of a master’s degree might start at CAD 21,100 each year (As per statistics Canada, 2022)

Cost of Living in Canada
The cost of living usually includes things like food, accommodation, clothing, and recreational activities. The average cost of living in Canada will be roughly CAD 15,000 because accommodation, food, and local transportation expenses differ from city to city.

Canadian Student Visa
International students are given authorization to study in Canada through the issue of a Canadian study permit by the Canadian immigration authorities. A valid study permit is a requirement for international students who wish to attend Canadian universities. Check the requirements before submitting an application for a study permit in Canada. Valid passport, proof of acceptance by a DLI, proof of funds, passport-size photos, English language proficiency score, statement of purpose, etc. are some of the documents needed to apply for a Canadian student visa. The cost of a study permit in Canada is 150 CAD.

Admission Requirements to study in Canada
The requirements for studying in Canada vary depending on the course and the 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 undergraduate and postgraduate study destination. Certificate and diploma programs are also available 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
According to many global ranking providers, Canada is home to some of the world’s top-ranked universities. These universities are located in well-known cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. There are many large and small cities in Canada where students can study. Furthermore, these locations give students with employment opportunities and a lifestyle similar to that of the United States. Check the popular student cities in Canada from below.

• Montreal
• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Ottawa
• Quebec
• Edmonton
• Winnipeg
• Calgary
• Saskatoon

Scholarships to study in Canada
The expense of studying abroad is a factor that many foreign students consider while considering to study abroad. However, tuition in Canada is lower than in other developed countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Scholarships are offered for qualified students who desire to study in Canada. Students must have a track record of good academics and extra-curricular achievements in order to qualify for scholarships to study in Canada. Students can also apply for need-based scholarships.

Education Loan for studying in Canada
International students chose Canada as their favourite study abroad destination. The cost of studying in Canada is entirely depend on the course, university, course duration, and cost of living. No everyone can afford to study or live in Canada. As a result, many banks and financial institutions provide education loans to students who desire to study in Canada.

Check the eligibility criteria for an educational loan to study in Canada in advance in order to get the ensure loan approval. Note that different sorts of expenses are covered by different schemes, therefore check with the banks to find out 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
Students with a Canadian student visa can work 20 hours per week on a paid job while studying. In general, students in Canada are paid by the hour for part-time jobs. The average hourly wage is between $13 and $16.
However, international students in Canada who have off-campus job authorization on their study permit are no longer restricted by the 20-hour-per-week regulation. During school breaks, students can generally work full-time.

Post-Study Work Permit in Canada
Obtaining a post-graduation work permit while studying in Canada is highly dependent on the course and its duration. Generally, a work permit under the PGWP is provided for the duration of the study program. In Canada, the maximum length of PGWP is 3 years.
A post-graduate work permit in Canada allows students to stay in the country after graduation and gain work experience. In the long run, gaining skilled Canadian work experience through PGWP qualifies graduates for PR in Canada through Express Entry.

Job Prospects in Canada (ROI)
Every student who wishes to study abroad is concerned about the return on investment (ROI). Students want the most for their money spent on education. The cost of studying abroad is a lot for majority of students and a possibility of a high return on investment is important for them.
Predicting the job market at the time of graduation is challenging; but, in this section, we have tried to mention what the employment chances for students in Canada might look like. According to Statistics Canada, 2021, 60% of international students who worked during their studies or after graduation become landed immigrants within 10 years of obtaining their first study permit.

Popular Job Sectors in Canada
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), real GDP growth in Canada is expected to decline from 3.2% in 2022 to 1% in 2023 before strengthening to 1.3% in 2024. Education, healthcare, and information technology are some of the most popular job sectors in Canada.

The popular jobs in Canada for international students are:

• Project Managers
• Registered Nurses
• Cardiologist
• Management Consultant
• Software Engineer
• Data Scientist
• Marketing Officer

Students can find job opportunities in the following companies in Canada:

Average Salary in Canada – By Job

(Source: Emolument)

 Study in Canada FAQs

• How much does it cost to study in Canada?
  The tuition fee for an undergraduate degree can range from CAD 6800 per year for international undergraduate students. On the other hand, the cost for master’s will range from CAD 21,100 per year. The living expenses, on the other hand, will be around CAD 15,000 for one year. 
• Is Canada cheap to study?
  Studying in Canada is affordable than studying in other countries. In Canada, students can apply for scholarships and work opportunities in order to pay for their education. Many eligible international students are eligible to work during their studies and can get a post-graduation work permit after their studies. The tuition fee in Canada is generally lower than colleges and universities in UK, USA, and Australia.
• How can I go to study in Canada?
  In order to go to study in Canada, you are first required to apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. To apply for a study permit, make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. Apart from this, submit the documents like proof of acceptance from the designated university, proof of identity, proof of financial support, etc. 
• What are the top courses to study in Canada
  Some of the top courses to study in Canada are Engineering; Information Technology; Biosciences, Medical and Healthcare; MBA, Media & Journalism; Human Resources, etc.
• Which jobs are currently in-demand in Canada?
  Generally, careers in the technology field, healthcare sector, and scientific areas tend to be high in demand across the country. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare sector professions are high in demand.