A Comprehensive Study in Canada Guide

Undoubtedly, Canada is one of the most beloved study-abroad destinations in the world especially when we talk about students from Asian countries. The highly appealing cosmopolitan and multicultural environment of Canada inspires innumerable study-abroad dreams. In fact, it is mind-boggling to know that in 2022 more than 550,000 international students were welcomed by Canada as per IRCC.

Clearly, international students are storming Canada each year with large ambitions. Simply put, given the fact that Canada does not have very stringent norms for international students and there are ample job opportunities in Canada, it remains a top destination for all study abroad aspirants. 

However, at the same time, it is also important to pay attention to the fact that if Canada is receiving thousands of applications on a daily basis, the competition is only getting tougher. It implies that for admissions as well as job opportunities alongside study and post that, you will be competing with a flurry of international students. Moreover, some processes of the application process to study in Canada may seem a little too overwhelming.

This is where professional help can be of great value to fuel your study in Canada dreams. Moreover, through this guide, we aim to provide you with all the information you need 

This thorough guide will cover all you need to know about studying in Canada, from student visa procedures to living costs and job options. Along with the academic exams needed for admission, we will also provide information on the best universities and courses to study at in Canada. So, let us get started! 

Student Visa Requirements: 

Needless to say, a Canada study permit is the most basic necessity for any student to pursue higher education in Canada. A study permit extends permission to international students to pursue education at designated learning institutions. However, what most people need to know is that a study visa and a study permit are two different things and cannot be used interchangeably. 

Besides, visas in Canada fall under two categories; SDS (Student Direct Stream) and Non-SDS. Both the visa categories have their own set of requirements and features that we recommend are important for study in Canada aspirants to know. 

Moreover, it is important to start early as the application process can take some time, and given the innumerable applications for offer letters, the universities’ seats also get filled in a flash. For instance, if you are planning to get admission to a Canadian university/college the next fall, it is better to get started with the basics today!

In general, you will need to need to provide the following documents:-

1. A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution
2. Proof of financial support- The proof should validate that either you or a family member is able to support you by paying the tuition fee, managing the cost of living, and dealing with other costs involved.   
3. A valid passport
4. Application fee payment 
5. Medical examination report (depending on the length of the stay.)
   

Once all the necessary documents have been gathered, you will need to apply for a study permit through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. After the required documents have been submitted you will also be required to appear for a personal interview at the Canadian Embassy or Consulate. 

You will have to apply six months in advance if you want to study at a primary or secondary school and one year in advance for a post-secondary program at a university, college, etc.

Cost of Studying in Canada:

The cost of studying in Canada can vary depending on several factors, such as the choice of institution, program of study, location, and personal lifestyle choices of a student. Generally, international students should budget for the following expenses:

1. Tuition fees: The average undergraduate international tuition fee in Canada is around CAD 30,000 per year, while graduate tuition fees are approximately CAD 20,000 per year. Here, it is also important to note that there is a spectrum of Canadian Universities’ Scholarships to look forward to. Even the most nominal amount of scholarship can significantly reduce the overall expenses.
   
   Having said that, it is important that you know about all the scholarships for study abroad offered by Canadian universities and colleges. At the same time, the key is to apply for these scholarships on time and in a systematic manner.
   
2. Accommodation: The cost of accommodation varies depending on the type of housing and location. On-campus housing may cost between CAD 8,000 to CAD 20,000 per academic year, while off-campus housing could range between CAD 500 to CAD 1,500 per month.
   
3. Food and Groceries: The average cost of food and groceries in Canada is approximately CAD 300 to CAD 500 per month.
   
4. Health Insurance: International students are required to have health insurance while studying in Canada. The cost of this insurance is approximately CAD 600 to CAD 800 per year.
   
5. Transportation: The cost of transportation varies depending on the location of your institution and your personal choices. A monthly bus pass could cost between CAD 80 to CAD 120 per month.

However, the above breakdown of costs only offers a normalized overview of the expenses. The actual expenses are subject to vary taking into account a host of factors applicable on a case-to-case basis. 

Scholarships for Students in Canada:

As mentioned above, there are many Government funded study abroad scholarships for Indian Students that you should be aiming for. Some of the most popular scholarship programs are listed below. 

1. Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence (IC-IMPACTS) Scholarships: This scholarship is provided to Indian students who are pursuing a research program in the areas of water, infrastructure, and public health.
   
2. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarships: This scholarship is provided to Indian students who are pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. program in any field of study.
   
3. Canada Graduate Scholarship: This scholarship is provided to Indian students who are pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. program in any field of study.
   
4. Ontario Graduate Scholarship: This scholarship is provided to Indian students who are pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. program in any field of study in Ontario.
   
5. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship: This scholarship is provided to Indian students who are pursuing a Ph.D. program in any field of study.
   
6. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: This scholarship is provided to students who are pursuing an undergraduate program in any field of study.
   
7. Ontario Trillium Scholarship: This scholarship is provided to Indian students who are pursuing a Ph.D. program in any field of study in Ontario

Intakes in Canada:

Unlike Indian universities which have only single intakes. Canadian universities have three intakes as explained below.

1. Fall Intake: The fall intake starts in the month of September and goes on till the months of December/January.  

2. Winter Intake: The winter intake starts in the month of January and goes on till the month of May. 

3. Summer Intake: The summer intake starts in the month of May and goes on till August. 

Popular Courses for International Students in Canada:

1. Business & Management Studies: The Business and Management Studies degree in Canada is recognized among the top 10 courses worldwide. Canada having a strong financial sector has plenty of job opportunities for BBA and MBA students. 
   
2. Computer Science: Needless to say, the world today is essentially centered around computer sciences and it is at the helm of an overwhelming digitalization. Computer science is an emerging field with a spectrum of branches like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and others. Canada offers progressive and meaningful courses across different domains of computer science.
   
3. Engineering: As long as the world continues to advance, there will always be a great demand for quality engineers. It offers individuals an opportunity to help improve the lives of people through new innovations. In Canada, there are ample universities and colleges offering engineering courses to international students. 

Popular Universities for International Students in Canada:

1. University of Toronto: The University of Toronto has been ranked 34^th  according to the QS Rankings 2023.
   
2. McGill University: McGill University is ranked 31^st  according to the QS rankings in 2023.
   
3. University of British Columbia: The University of British Columbia is ranked 47^th globally according to the QS rankings.
   
4. University of Waterloo: The University of Waterloo is ranked 154^th globally according to the QS rankings.

Academic Requirements to Study in Canada: 

Most of the universities in Canada require you to take either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) exams for Undergraduate courses. However, for graduate courses, they require Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) exams. Depending on the program some may also require you to take additional language exams such as TOEFL or IELTS if English is not your first language. Other than this, Law courses require the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). 

For undergraduate courses in Canada, the IELTS requirements are overall 6 not less than 5.5 in any module. For the SDS category of visa, the minimum requirement is overall 6 not less than 6. It is highly imperative that you have a clear idea of the academic and English proficiency requirements when you start your pursuit of studying in Canada. 

Most Popular Careers for Part-Time Jobs for Students: 

There are ample part-time job opportunities for students in Canada. Among the most popular and rewarding part-time jobs in Canada are the following: 

1. Teaching Assistant 
2. Tutoring  
3. Ridesharing Drivers 
4. Bartending 
5. Freelance Web Designing 
6. Freelance Graphic Designing 
7. Freelance Copywriter 

If you have exceptional soft skills and hard skills, the job prospects would certainly be brighter than that for an average individual.  

To conclude, studying in Canada can be a life-changing experience and that is exactly why millions of students strive for this opportunity. With a world-class education system as well as a welcoming culture, Canada is a great destination for International students. This guide can be used by you as a starting point in order to help you navigate the application process and make your dream of studying in Canada become a reality.   

To conclude, while this blog covers the details and necessities of studying in Canada from student visa procedures to living costs and job options. Along with the academic exams needed for admission, we will also provide information on the best universities and courses to study at in Canada. So, let us get started!

We highly recommend that students seek out the aid of professional education agents and we at Silver Fern are always ready to cater to each and every need of our students in terms of making a successful admissions application, seeking out suitable accommodation and planning for future employment to make their overseas education memorable and fruitful.