Studying abroad in Canada

Reasons to study in Canada

• Superior education system

With the education system in Canada directly under the provincial government, the level of education in Canada is one of the foremost in the world. In the fields pertaining to computer science, information technology, pharmaceutical and healthcare, telecommunications, engineering and transportation, Canada is emerging as one the best in the world for providing students with learning opportunities.

• Safety

In 2016, the Institute of Economics and Peace ranked Canada as the 8^th most peaceful country worldwide. Canada, bordered by oceans on three sides and by the US on the fourth, is a country well known for safe and secure living. It is a democratic country wherein native Canadians are world famous for their friendly and tolerant nature and the country has people from different nations and cultures co-existing peacefully with the locals.

• Affordable

Out of most of the developed countries in the world, Canada is well-known for providing students with affordable education. For example, the cost of living and tuition fees in Canada is approximately $29,947, while it is $36,564 in the US.

• Options of permanent residency

As per the immigration laws in Canada, students are permitted to live in the country for three years on completion of their studies under the Post-Graduation Work permit. Individuals who are working in Canada can also decide to opt for the Canadian permanent residency, which is considered to be an easy process.

• Students can earn while studying

Canadian laws permit international students to work for 20 hours a week while classes are in session and on a full-time basis during breaks. Interested students can do all this as part of their study permit itself.

Higher Education in Canada

• Community colleges in Canada have programs for two years, at the end of which students are awarded an Associate Degree or Diploma. These colleges can either be used as a gateway to enter a Bachelor’s Degree or complete short courses.

• Undergraduate colleges provide courses with a duration of four years, at the end of which students are awarded a Bachelor’s Degree.

• Universities that offer graduate and postgraduate degrees are majorly research-oriented institutes.

Scholarships in Canada for International Students

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship:

The Canadian government awards it to academically outstanding PhD students.

• Ontario Graduate Scholarship:

It is provided by the Ontario government with a limit of $15,000 per year.

Accommodation in Canada for International Students

• Dormitories and townhouses:

Universities and colleges in Canada provide both on-campus and off-campus dormitories and townhouses as accommodation for international students. Dormitories are large in number and hence they take in many students. Townhouses house a lesser number of students with single occupancy rooms and are usually reserved for second to fourth-year students.

• Off-campus apartments:

These form of accommodation options are usually shared types. Facilities such as kitchen, bathroom etc. are shared while bedrooms are separate.

• Homestay:

This involves staying with a host family. They usually provide for three meals a day to the student with a private bedroom.

• Apartments on rent:

Students can opt to stay on their own by renting furnished or unfurnished apartments outside the campus.

Cost of studying in Canada for international students

• The average undergraduate tuition fee for foreign students in 2018-19 was about CA $27,159 annually. Engineering and medical were higher while the arts and humanities were on the lower side. Average postgraduate tuition fees were about CA $16,497 in 2018-19 annually.

• Living costs vary from city to city. Accommodation costs about CA$3,000-7,500 on-campus while for private shared accommodation, the cost is about CA$8,400 approximately per year.

• Eating out costs about CA$15 per person per meal.

• Local public transportation (one-way) costs around CA$3.

• Gym membership monthly is around CA$49.

• Compulsory health insurance is around CA$600-800 per year.

• Student visa costs around CA$ 150.

• University application fees cost around CA$116.

Requirements for studying in Canada for international students

• Proof of completion of secondary school or graduation degree;

• Proof of English language proficiency i.e. TOEFL or IELTS;

• GMAT/GRE scores;

• Academic references (Two);

• Statement of Purpose;

• Application fees;

• Other achievement and extracurricular activities certificate;