The admission criteria generally vary depending on the course of education and are generally available on the college/university website for ready reference. Basic criteria can be summarised as below:
Higher Second Class (55% and above) for community colleges
First Class (60% and above)for universities
English Proficiency score in IELTS /TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo
Studying in Canada can be relatively cheaper as compared to other top developed countries viz the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Tuition fees start from as low as CAD 12000 and onwards and the average cost of study including tuition and living cost is CAD 25, 000 per year.
Depending on one’s budget, expectations and circumstances, they can find accommodation on and off campus
On-campus housing ranges from shared condominiums to dormitory-style housing which may or may not include a meal plan and or other utilities such as phone and internet connection.
Off campus accommodation prices are lower as compared to on campus but you will have to bear the extra cost of furnishings, water, electricity and/or other miscellaneous expenses.
Canada has four very distinct seasons: Spring (March-May); Summer (June-August); Fall (September-October); and Winter (November-February).
While temperatures in the far north is generally cold and climb above 0°C only for a few months of the year, the country’s southern border has warm springs, hot summers and pleasant autumns prevailing for at least seven months before winter sets in.
Yes, there are several scholarships available in Canada based on the candidate’s age, education qualifications, nationality, economic background, income/net worth and professional experience amongst other criteria. The candidate’s extra-curricular record, particular talents, project involvements, social service activities, club affiliations and much more is also taken into consideration. Government and private entities sponsor a wide variety of scholarships. Moreover, there are many scholarships that are university-specific and state-specific.
International students can work while studying in Canada if they have a valid study permit and a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Students are allowed to work in following three ways subject to conditions that require to be fulfilled
On Campus (maximum work hours are not specified)
Off Campus (Part Time for 20 hours a week during term time and 40 hours i.e. full time during vacations)
Co – Op Work or Internships. Many of the institutions in Canada offer paid internships as part of the course where in the students get the opportunity to work full time in industry relating to their area of study.
Many programs in Canada do include work experience as part of their curriculum. In case of Co-Op or Intern Studies one needs to apply for work permit subject to certain conditions
Valid study permit or
Working is a significant part of your study program in Canada or
Letter from your school confirms that all students in your program must complete work placements to get their degree or
Co-op or internship is 50 % or less of the total program of study.
One needs to apply for a work permit only if the acceptance letter confirms that a co-op or internship placement is part of your program’s curriculum. In such a case the work permit will be processed as part of the application and the student will be issued SW visa.
Yes, by applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) - a permit that allows students to remain in Canada and work for up to 3 years after they graduate from a Canadian postsecondary education institution. A PGWP helps students set up their careers and gain work experience in Canada. Moreover, PGWP goes a long way in acquiring Permanent Residence.
The permanent resident visa is determined on a point based system. PGWP goes a long way in securing permanent residency in Canada. An international student garners 15-30 points depending on the course of education and work experience.
Yes. Diploma courses highlight the technical aspects and focus on providing hands-on experience about the fundamental nitty-gritties of the programme. Diplomas and certificate courses offer students the practical background and allow them to be competitive in the innately worldwide economy. There are times when students that do vocational programmes get better salaries than those that have done a university programme.
Health insurance is mandatory for studying in Canada. One needs to procure health insurance before reaching Canada. Medical coverage changes from province to province and often from university to university. Most universities have health insurance coverage as a part of their fees.
A valid study permit holder who is doing a full-time course at a post-secondary institution is eligible for an open work permit. The open work permit for a spouse or a common law partner may be valid for the same period of time as the study permit, or as long as the study permit remains valid. The applicant needs to indicate in their applications if their spouse or partner will be accompanying them to Canada. If the spouse or partner decides, at a later stage, to study in Canada they need to submit a separate application.
Yes you can, there are certain requirements that needs to be fulfilled and an application needs to be made at the Canadian Immigration Centre atleast two months before expiry of the permit.
An individual who is already in Canada on a study or work permit will not need to get a separate study permit for his or her minor child. The study permit the individual has applied for should have already indicated that their minor child would be accompanying them. The age of majority differs slightly in different provinces, although it is usually around 18 or 19.
Canada has various economic immigration programs and systems that give an advantage to international students and graduates. Through various programs such as Express Entry, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and Provincial Nominee Programs to name a few, international students can acquire permanent residency in their province and eventually apply for a General Canadian PR.
Colleges are more technical and career-oriented. They provide diploma and certificate programmes which tend to involve more practical and hands-on training in your chosen career field. Universities, on the other hand, focus more on the academic and professional growth of students, teaching them analytical skills. Universities of Canada provide undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes.
Before applying for a study permit, you need:
An acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI)
A valid passport/travel document
Proof of funds
Passport-size photographs
Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
English Language Proficiency Certificate
Statement of Purpose
There might be additional documents required depending on the DLI you choose to attend and the province you choose to live in.
Almost every designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada will require proof of proficiency in English language. This can be proved by appearing for the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and DUOLINGO examination and achieving the minimum score required by your DLI. Additional examinations such as GMAT or GRE are not commonly necessary when applying to colleges or universities in Canada.
GIC – Guaranteed Investment Certificate is the minimum investment a student is required to make while making an application under SDS program in Canada. Students are required to purchase a GIC of CAD 10,000 for a successful application in study permit. Canadian branches of Scotia bank, ICICI Bank, and SBI Bank are the three banks that can provide the above service. The investment also earns interest.