Studying in Canada comes with plenty of opportunities that a lot of international students would wish to study at any Canadian university. To apply for admission and ensure that it is successful, you will need to follow the right process and of course, send your application early enough. Interested in studying abroad in Canada? Here are steps on how to apply to Canadian universities and an overview of a study in Canada.
Reasons to study in Canada
The education system in Canada is adjudged as one of the best globally. Studying in Canada has many advantages like study and work opportunities where international students are permitted to work 20hours a week and 40 hours during vacation. With this opportunity, students can make money while studying.
Post-study opportunity. Upon completion of their studies in Canada, international students can apply for a post-study permit that allows them to stay back in Canada and search for work.
Study in a multicultural environment: The country is one of the preferred study abroad destinations for international students with benefits like rich culture and history.
Entry requirements for a study in Canada
The entry requirements for admission in Canadian universities are almost the same but a few changes may apply based on the type of program and level of study. Whatever program you are planning to pursue in Canada, students start by selecting a program and then choose their university of interest before searching for the admission requirements. Once that area is settled, it is time to send your application.
How to apply to Canadian universities
As discussed already, the first step on how to apply to Canadian universities is to carefully choose a program and institution. Students have the option of applying directly through a university website or by using a centralized Canada website universitystudy.ca, which comprises a searchable database of the study programs found in this directory.
Check the program requirements you’ve chosen. Make sure you read properly as some programs may not be open to all students. Most times fields like medicine and surgery, Law may not be offered to international students.
Please note: Each Canadian university has admission requirements. Some may do without a language proficiency test based on the country of residents.
Once you have succeeded in gathering all the necessary documents, it is time to pay the mandatory application fee that can range from 100 to 250 CAD.
Once you apply, you will receive an e-mail confirming your application. This e-mail will either ask for more information or documents or give you a personal number/code.
Application deadline
The deadline for Canadian universities vary. Although, it is almost similar. It can run this in format.
From September to December, for the first semester
From January to April, for the second semester
The whole summer, if your course has a third semester
Applying for a visa to Canada
Depending on where a student is applying from, some international students will need to apply for a study visa to Canada. Therefore, students are advised to start both their admission and visa process on time.
There’re visa requirements to study in Canada. Students are expected to present the following
- Admission offer
- Statement of purpose
- Proof of funds
- Valid Passport.
- Proof of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution
- English Language Proficiency Exam Score
Housing & Living Costs
The living expenses in Canada depends on factors like a student’s lifestyle and city/province as students studying in Canadian cities like Montreal and Toronto will pay less than those living and studying in Ontario.
Depending on the choice of accommodation, housing, and living costs in Canada can cost between $60-$2000, CAD. It is important to note that living in a dormitory is cheaper. The fee ranges from $550-CAD 600 per month.
But living in private accommodation can cost more.
Tuition Fees & Scholarships
Tuition fees for degree programs in Canada may vary. Both international and domestic students are expected to pay tuition fees in Canada. There are affordable universities in Canada with good university rankings.
If the cost can be the stumbling block for you to study in Canada, there’s plenty of scholarship opportunities available such as Canada Vanier Graduate Scholarships, McGill University Scholarships, and University of Saskatchewan Scholarships
Conclusion
Canada has one of the best systems of education in the world. There’s a wide range of courses to choose from available at graduate and undergraduate levels. Studying in Canada is an amazing decision.
The tuition fee can scare the living out of many international students. The good news is that there are various scholarship programs available for students with excellent grades to choose from.
