Canada is the second largest country in the world. Because of its climate, nearly 90% of the country lacks permanent settlements. Most of Canada’s 31 million people live in highly urbanized centers in the south, within 300 kilometers of the border with the United States. Three oceans border the country – the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic. Due to its size, there are many different geographical areas and regions. These are divided into the following: the Atlantic region, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, the West Coast and the North. The country has 10 provinces – Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, New Found land and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and 3 territories Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon each with its own capital. The capital of Canada is Ottawa.

Why study in Canada

Canada is sought after by many students as well as professionals for higher educational studies and job opportunities. People are considering Canada over other countries for their future prospects. Life and education in Canada encourage international students to migrate there in search of opportunities. Are you planning to Study in Canada? Here’s a complete guide to help you out.

Canada Intakes

  • Semester/ Trimester 1: Starts late February/early March to late May/early June
  • Semester/ Trimester 2: Starts late July/early August
  • Semester/ Trimester 3: Starts September to late November

Table Of Contents

  1. But, Why Study in Canada? What makes it ideal for so many people?
  2. Study in Canada requirements
  3. Cost of studying and living in Canada
    • Tuition Fees
    • Accommodation
    • Living Expense
    • Miscellaneous
  4. Scholarships to Study in Canada
  5. Course options in Canada
  6. How to apply for study visa in Canada?
  7. Essential documents for Canadian Student Visa
  8. Some FAQs on Studying in Canada

1. But, Why Study in Canada? What makes it ideal for so many people?

Whether you are planning to pursue MS in Canada or an MBA in Canada, Canada has gained a lot of popularity in recent years for higher education.

Affordable cost of studying and living:
As compared to the other top destinations like the UK and the USA, Canada is pretty affordable in terms of studying and living costs.

High Standard of Living:
The standard of living and quality of life are quite high in Canada. This is one of the reasons why many students choose to study in Canada.

Home to top universities of the world:
Canada hosts some of the top universities of the world including the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Waterloo, University of Alberta and many more.

No Language Barrier:
As English and French are the official languages of Canada, surviving there becomes much easier. English is understood almost everywhere, making it ideal for international students. Also, Canada has many internationally ranked Universities which are held in high regard all over the world.

High Employability Rate:
With high graduate employability rate and good academic performances, the universities of Canada are known all over the world. Canadian Ministry of Education also encourages the admission of foreign students to their universities in hope of a cosmopolitan environment. This makes it easy for foreign students to adapt and engage with people in college. Canada also makes for a safe country with a high-quality life for its citizens. The colleges and universities in Canada have also been appreciated for their detailed researchers in a number of fields giving them world recognition.

World-Renowned Education System:
The University system in Canada is one of the reasons for it to display great academic performances and some outstanding innovations. It encourages its students to communicate and express their thoughts freely without hesitation. The lectures are also made interesting to engage with the students. The students are given a thorough feedback post their assessments. These factors add to the fact that the study in Canada, its program focused universities and wide career options are turning out successful.

2. Study in Canada requirements:

When thinking about going to Canada for higher education, you need to know the requirements for studying in Canada. Even though different colleges and courses have their respective demands and expectations there are some general prerequisites for the majority of universities offering academic master’s degrees for international students.

  • A completed application form of the desired University.
  • Documentation confirming a prior degree was awarded, along with official transcripts;
  • Official documentation confirming professional designations, where applicable;
  • Two (2) letters of academic reference attesting to readiness for graduate studies; For those without recent academic experience, letters from employers attesting to a level of experience and analytical writing skills will be acceptable;
  • A detailed chronological resume clearly outlining educational achievements, work experience and progression, and other related experience;
  • A Letter of Intent (LOI) that clearly explains why the applicant is applying and outlines the student’s academic intentions.
  • A credential evaluation from a recognized service confirming equivalency if the applicant submits a credential from an unrecognized institution or if additional analysis is required by the Admissions Committee;
  • Proof of English language proficiency.

3. Cost of studying and living in Canada:

Though the cost of studying and living in Canada doesn’t make it to the list of requirements, it remains as one of the main concerns for many before considering going abroad for education. Before you start looking up for the top Universities in Canada and how to apply for study in Canada, you need to understand the feasibility of taking this up. Expenses like accommodation, food, health coverage and travel along with your tuition fee all account for the total cost of study in Canada.

1. Tuition Fees:
The primary chunk of your cost. This depends on the type of qualification and the selected institution. You will need approximately between CAD 7,000 and CAD 35,000 a year. The range of approximate cost of study in Canada for Indian students would be INR 3,50,000 to 19,00,000 a year. This amount varies depending on the type of course that you opt for.

2. Accommodation:
The universities offer the on-campus residence for international students. Students who wish to opt for off-campus accommodation can live on a sharing basis with other students around the campus. On-Campus accommodation can cost from CAD 8,000 to CAD 10,000 (annually) whereas living in a shared apartment can cost you around CAD 400 to CAD 700 per month depending upon your location and time of the year. In the prime areas and cities, it could even go up to CAD 1000 to CAD 2000 a month.

3. Living Expense:
Considering various expenses and living costs, like communication, transport, books and supplies, daily need items, etc, a single student budget in Canada comes out to be approx. CAD 6,000 to CAD 10,000 (indicative).

4. Miscellaneous:
The visa and study permit that comes to approximately CAD 150. The health and insurance range between CAD 300- CAD 800 a year (indicative). Above mentioned are the basic cost ranges to give you an idea of the cost involved and for you to make arrangements accordingly.

4. Scholarships to Study in Canada:Universities in Canada also offer scholarships to study in Canada for meritorious students who are unable to fund their education. When applying for scholarships you should know that:1. The essential requirement for most grants is a decent scholarly score, though it depends upon the selected city, subject, and level.2. The amount of money granted varies for different colleges. You should start the procedure for applying for scholarships around 8 to 12 months before the course begins as the procedure takes time.Here is a list of scholarships that you can apply to for studying in Canada:
1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
2. Ontario Trillium Scholarship
3. Ontario Graduate Scholarship
4. Go Clean Scholarship
5. Humber College International Entrance Scholarship
6. Waterloo Merit Scholarship
7. UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award
8. Science and Law School Scholarship
9. Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship
10. University of Manitoba Graduate FellowshipsAnd many more.Also, one can always opt for an education loan for study in Canada in case of a lack of funds. Getting a loan sanctioned requires a lot of time and effort. You must apply for a loan well in advance, as soon as you receive confirmation from the university. Once you get an idea of your expenditure including study and living, you should calculate the amount that you will be applying the loan for. Do some exploration before applying for a loan and check which banks that are giving the best deals.

Following documents are mandatory when applying for a study permit:
proof of acceptance from the university

  • proof of identity; a valid passport, photos and any other identification document
  • proof of financial support; a proof of education loan or bank statement of last four months or any other suitable document.

7. Essential documents for Canadian Student Visa:

You should apply for the student visa once you get an acceptance letter from the college. You should begin with the visa process well in advance. The documents that are essential for this are:Valid PassportYou need a Valid Passport to apply for a Study Permit. As of the Canadian High Commission, it is imperative that you have a passport with a validity that covers your intended stay in Canada, i.e. at the least your course duration.

Proof of Acceptance by the Institute
You would need the university/Institute’s acceptance letter. A Designated Learning Institute is one that is recognized by the Immigration Department.

Proof of Funds
You would have to show proof of funds. It is to prove that you are capable enough to fund your tuition fees as well as take care of living expenses. Canadian Immigration requires a student to at least show Canadian $10,000 for every year of your stay.

Passport Size Photographs
You would need two passport-sized photographs according to the given standards.

Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
Canadian Immigration requires international students from India to undergo a compulsory Immigration Medical Examination from impaneled doctors. It is advisable to book a prior appointment and visit the listed doctors for a medical examination, preferably a week before they start their Visa Application. This gives the doctor enough time to check and upload the required documents.

English Language Proficiency Exam Score
You need to submit your English language proficiency score for your admission to the Canadian University. TOEFL, IELTS, etc. are all acceptable.

Statement of Purpose
You are required to submit a document stating the purpose of your travel and the reason for the selection of the particular institute when applying for a Canadian Study Permit.

Credit Card
The Visa Application Fee for Canada is CAD $160 and has to be paid through an online payment. Only credit cards are accepted by the system.In case of an online application, you would have to digitally scan all the above-mentioned documents to upload them online. However, in case you wish to fill an offline application, you should have true copies of all the mentioned documents.
A considerable number of Canada’s colleges are famous for having a worldwide perspective, as they give opportunities to students from different backgrounds and countries, which encourages people from all over the world to engage with others, learn from each other and exchange ideas; Resulting in a cosmopolitan culture in the college.After Graduating from any of the programs of studies, you may be able to work temporarily in Canada to gain some work experience. For this, you will have to apply for a work permit which later on qualifies you for a permanent residence. There are certain norms that have to be followed for this procedure. And, although these are long term plans but if you apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you may be allowed to work in Canada for up to three years after you graduate.8. Some FAQs on Studying in Canada:

A. Which city is best to study in Canada?
Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver, and Ottawa are some of the best cities in Canada to study.

B. Which is the cheapest University in Canada?
Some of the cheapest universities in Canada are: University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, McGill University, University of Alberta and Memorial University.

C. Is studying in Canada expensive?
Compared to India, studying in Canada is definitely expensive. However, studying in Canada is much more economical as compared to other top countries like the US and the UK.

D. Are there free universities in Canada?
No, there aren’t any free universities in Canada. However, Canada has a lot of affordable universities and also offers a lot of scholarships to international students.

E. Can I work while studying in Canada?
You can be eligible for work while studying in Canada if your study permit states a condition saying that you can work. In such a case, you can either work on or off-campus while studying. If your study permit does not have the statement, you can get your study permit amended for free of cost.

F. How many hours can I work in Canada while studying?
You can work 20 hours a week while studying in Canada. Canada has a pool of opportunities for study and works for both national and international students. We hope that whatever information we have offered you about applying, studying, living and working in Canada; as a student, helps you with your decisions.

Types of ExpensesYearly Cost
Tuition FeesCAD 7,000 to CAD 35,000 (INR 3,50,000 to 19,00,000)
AccommodationCAD 7,200 to CAD 24,000 (INR 3,91,054 to INR 13,03,515)
Other Living Expenses (Grocery, transportation, etc.)CAD 6,000 to CAD 10,000 (INR 3,23,881 to INR 5,39,802)
MiscellaneousCAD 1,000 (INR 53,980)
Total (with tuition fees)CAD 14,200 to CAD 35,000 (INR 7,66,520 to INR 18,89,310)
UniversityLocationCanada RankGlobal Rank
University of TorontoToronto, Ontario129
McGill UniversityMontreal, Quebec235
University of British ColumbiaVancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia351
University of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta4113
Université de MontréalMontreal, Quebec5137
McMaster UniversityHamilton, Ontario6140
University of WaterlooWaterloo, Ontario7173
Western UniversityLondon, Ontario8211
University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta9233
Queen’s UniversityKingston, Ontario10239

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