Education System
The Canadian education system drastically varies from other countries. Bachelor's Degrees are 4 years and at the UG level, you have 2 to 3 years of advanced diplomas and diplomas as well.At the PG level, you can get a one-year certificate, 2 years postgraduate diploma, one year masters, and a 2-years Masters too.
To study at the UG level, all universities will accept 12th-grade International students for diplomas and degrees.
At the PG level, students with three year UG degree can go for PG Diplomas and certificates and those with 4 year UG degree can opt for any program including Masters.
Some universities will also accept 3-year UG for the master but options are limited.
Major Intakes September, January, and May.
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These three are the major intakes in Canada but some colleges and universities will offer up to 4-5 intakes as well per year. September intake, also known as the fall intake is the major intake, followed by January in which options are a bit lesser.
The options in May intake are quite limited. For international students, the January and September intakes remain ideal.
Toronto, British Columbia, and McGill are Canad’s top-ranking universities, ranked amongst the top 100 globally.
Canada’s colleges are quite popular, especially for their vocationally oriented programs with many co-op options.
These three are the major intakes in Canada but some colleges and universities will offer up to 4-5 intakes as well per year. September intake, also known as the fall intake is the major intake, followed by January in which options are a bit lesser.
The options in May intake are quite limited. For international students, the January and September intakes remain ideal.
Universities and Colleges
In Canada, there are a number of public and private colleges and institutions. Universities usually grant degrees and colleges grant diplomas, but there are some exceptions.Toronto, British Columbia, and McGill are Canad’s top-ranking universities, ranked amongst the top 100 globally.
Canada’s colleges are quite popular, especially for their vocationally oriented programs with many co-op options.
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The best part is the co-op programs, which are the highlight of Canada’s education system. Here you can work for a Canadian employer full time between 3 months to 1 year and get paid full time. Not just earning money but gaining valuable work experience as well. Mostly, all colleges will offer co-op options for most subjects.
Program and Co-op Options
Canada offers a varied range of programs in a variety of subjects. Whether you want to do a 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, or 4-year program there is something for everyone.The best part is the co-op programs, which are the highlight of Canada’s education system. Here you can work for a Canadian employer full time between 3 months to 1 year and get paid full time. Not just earning money but gaining valuable work experience as well. Mostly, all colleges will offer co-op options for most subjects.
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For the Bachelor's programs, many universities will ask for a Statement of Purpose and Letters of recommendation too.
SAT and ACT scores are not required by most institutions.
For the Universities, you will need to demonstrate your extracurricular activities as well because admissions are highly competitive
Conditional offers are also possible for some colleges and universities.
Most colleges and universities accept direct applications with an application fee of between 60 to 150 dollars.
UG Applications and Documentation
At the UG level, you will need your 10th and 12th mark sheets, IELTS, and passport copy for most colleges for diploma programs.For the Bachelor's programs, many universities will ask for a Statement of Purpose and Letters of recommendation too.
SAT and ACT scores are not required by most institutions.
For the Universities, you will need to demonstrate your extracurricular activities as well because admissions are highly competitive
Conditional offers are also possible for some colleges and universities.
Most colleges and universities accept direct applications with an application fee of between 60 to 150 dollars.
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For Masters, a Statement of purpose and letters of recommendation will be required. Some top universities may also require GMAT or GRE scores for Masters only.
You will need to pay an application fee at the PG Level as well and the fee ranges between 70 to 120 dollars.
You can apply directly to the universities and colleges you wish to study at.
PG Applications and Documentation
At the PG level, you will need your academic documents, IELTS, passport, and work experience documents to apply for a diploma program.For Masters, a Statement of purpose and letters of recommendation will be required. Some top universities may also require GMAT or GRE scores for Masters only.
You will need to pay an application fee at the PG Level as well and the fee ranges between 70 to 120 dollars.
You can apply directly to the universities and colleges you wish to study at.
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Some other universities may continue accepting applications till March or April. For the January intake, ideally, apply by October.
At the PG level, the fee is between 15 to 40000 dollars
Diploma programs and Colleges will be cheaper and universities and degrees will be expensive. If you are looking for cheaper universities, then I would advise you to look at universities in Atlantic Canada, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. They will be cheaper than most universities in Ontario and British Columbia.
For living costs, you can estimate 10 to 15 thousand dollars per annum depending on your lifestyle.
The process is very simple as compared to other countries such as Australia, the UK, and the US.
For the GIC account, you can choose from multiple options including CIBC, Scotiabank, and ICICI Bank Canada.
Ideally, we would recommend applying for the visa at least a month and a half before the course start date.
Deadlines
For Colleges, it's more of a first come first serve system. Canada is very popular and many colleges fill up early so there are no set deadlines generally. If you’re applying to Colleges, then we will advise you to apply as early as possible. For universities, most top universities will have January as the deadline for September intake.Some other universities may continue accepting applications till March or April. For the January intake, ideally, apply by October.
Tuition Fee, Living Costs, and Scholarships
At the UG level, per annum tuition fees ranges between 12000 to 35000 Canadian Dollars onAt the PG level, the fee is between 15 to 40000 dollars
Diploma programs and Colleges will be cheaper and universities and degrees will be expensive. If you are looking for cheaper universities, then I would advise you to look at universities in Atlantic Canada, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. They will be cheaper than most universities in Ontario and British Columbia.
For living costs, you can estimate 10 to 15 thousand dollars per annum depending on your lifestyle.
Talking about Scholarships, many colleges and universities will offer entrance scholarships ranging from 2000 dollars to full tuition fee waivers but do note that scholarships will be competitive and early applications are advised.
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Student Visa Application
For a student visa application, you will have to open a GIC account with 10200 dollars, pay a one-year fee to the institution you are studying at, get a medical checkup, and pay a processing fee of 150 dollars to the Canadian high commission.The process is very simple as compared to other countries such as Australia, the UK, and the US.
For the GIC account, you can choose from multiple options including CIBC, Scotiabank, and ICICI Bank Canada.
Ideally, we would recommend applying for the visa at least a month and a half before the course start date.
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Average salaries per hour range between 15 to 18 Canadian dollars which will be sufficient to cover much of your living expenses. Also, with the co-op programs, you can earn more to support yourself better.
Talking about post-study work visas, if you do a 1-year program you get 1-year post-study work. If you pursue a 2 year or more program, you get 3 years of post-study work.
Talking about PR, once you get a job, PR is easy with the Canadian government actively encouraging foreign workers to settle in Canada. For this, they also run several programs such as Express Entry and Provincial Nomination Programs.
Part-time Jobs and Post Study Work Visas
The regulations are pretty simple, 20 hours during term time and 40 hours during vacations. If you do an on-Campus job, then there are usually no restrictions.Average salaries per hour range between 15 to 18 Canadian dollars which will be sufficient to cover much of your living expenses. Also, with the co-op programs, you can earn more to support yourself better.
Talking about post-study work visas, if you do a 1-year program you get 1-year post-study work. If you pursue a 2 year or more program, you get 3 years of post-study work.
Talking about PR, once you get a job, PR is easy with the Canadian government actively encouraging foreign workers to settle in Canada. For this, they also run several programs such as Express Entry and Provincial Nomination Programs.
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So are you ready to start your journey to Canada this year?
Hope this article has answered all your queries. But do let us know if you have more questions and we will answer the questions in the comments box below.
So are you ready to start your journey to Canada this year?
Hope this article has answered all your queries. But do let us know if you have more questions and we will answer the questions in the comments box below.