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Why Study In Canada?

Even just the beauty of The Laurentians aptly upholds the title of Canada as the Land of Maple Leaf!

Consistently ranked by the UN as one of the best countries for quality of life, the country welcomes International students to experience the Canadian difference!

  • Affordable Study cost-Amidst all English-speaking countries, Canada has some of the most economical university tuition fees. Students can choose to study in bigger cities or smaller campuses and select courses depending on their spending budget.
  • Renowned global Education standards-Acquire knowledge and demonstrate creativity under the guidance of elite educators and academics from around the world, with a superior quality of education and outstanding programs in diverse subject areas.
  • Student welfare services-Within the dynamic study environment, due consideration is given to student services and welfare. International students can approach said departments for any of their personal needs, counseling and options for career development.
  • R&D Focused-A haven for a research scholar, Canadian education stands apart for its unique technology and research-centric focus backed by their government. There is significant push for development in the fields of medicine, environmental science and technology, agriculture, telecommunication.
  • Earning while learning opportunities-International students can work for 20 hours per week for the duration of their course and for 40 hours per week in holiday period.
  • Post-Graduation Work Permit Program-Potential to lead a career and future in Canada for up to 3 years after graduation. After gaining sufficient work experience you can even apply for immigration at a later stage.

Canada’s Education System

Canada is the most educated country in the world with over half the population having qualified college degrees. The Canadian education system rivals some of the best in the world and is taught in both English and French, the two most global languages.

Due to its high GDP spending in the education sector and strong public education systems, student outcomes are of the highest standards. This further has a trickle-down effect carried over to its universities with Canadian degrees, diplomas and certificates being well recognized globally.

Primary and Secondary School

Students in Canada are required to stay in school from the age of 6-16 by law, parents can choose to send their children to

  • Public
  • Private
  • Federal Schools

Mandatory Elementary education for children starts at age 6 and goes on till 11-12 years.

Secondary education is divided into two levels:

  • Junior High School works like a 2-year Intermediate school giving students the opportunity to adjust to the change in curriculum and school environment.

High School is usually 4 years long and is the final section of Secondary Education. Some provinces even offer job training as part of curriculum to equip students with practical knowledge and skills.

Vocational Schools

Students have the option to learn a trade or a vocation at technical schools and receive a

  • Certificate
  • Diploma

You will get the opportunity to get mentored by professional and qualified supervisors who will give you exposure to hands-on experience.

College

In Canada College can be referred to

  • A smaller community college
  • A specific trade schools

Students enroll in these colleges to craft themselves for the university they plan to attend and acquire credits to carry forward to their course.
Depending on the course, upon completion Community colleges will award their students with a;

  • Certificate
  • Diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Postgraduate diploma

University

The levels of higher education system for Canada is similar to the US wherein students can sequentially enroll to study and get a

  • Bachelors’ degree
  • Postgraduate certificate and diploma
  • Masters’ degree
  • PhD

The Public Universities and Colleges are predominantly funded by the provincial government, who is also the main in-charge for running the education system in Canada. Students are only required a pay a minimal tuition fee for attending these institutes.

Types of Qualifications

Here is a brief review of the prevalent study options in Canada across different levels in Canadian dollars:

QUALIFICATION DESCRIPTION DURATION AVERAGE ANNUAL FEES
Certificates Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Provided by vocational and tech-oriented institutes to students for preparing them with the required skill sets for their aspiring field of industry. 1-2 years CAD$7,000-CAD$15,000
Bachelor’s Degree Undergraduate programs focusing on academic knowledge in a variety of courses across various disciples, armed with an independent and analytical approach. 3-4 years CAD$25,000-CAD$30,000
Post Graduate Diploma Vocational in nature, this qualification aims to develop practical skills of students in a speedy manner. Students can apply after completing their bachelors’ degree preferable in a similar field. It can sometimes be equivalent to a masters’ qualification. 1-2 years CAD$20,000-CAD$25,000
Master’s Degree Postgraduate programs provide a broader view of the subject area and available for coursework as well as research merit. It requires relevant bachelor’s degree from a similar field. 1-2 years CAD$20,000-CAD$30,000
Doctoral Degree
Higher doctoral degree
PhD is a premier research award which require a masters’ degree and a pre-approved research proposal by a panel of faculty members for admission. It requires a dissertation submission as well. 4-7 years CAD$10,000-CAD$15,000
*Please note all fee figures are indicative.

Student Bursaries

Many institutions offer variety of financial assistance for International students in the form of

  • Grants– Usually issued by the government, to award students with monetary assistance to pay for their university education, on the basis of their financial need.
  • Scholarships– Financial aids designed to support student’s education based on academic or other achievements.
  • Tuition waiver– They are granted by the university and essentially reduces the amount of tuition fees that the institute usually charges.
  • Studentships– This type of funding is usually provided for a specific project, covering the cost of tuition and research material along with a stipend allowance for the student.

It is recommended to check with universities and get a clear understanding of the aids that are applicable to you. With many students applying for monetary support, International students should commence this process a year prior to the intake session.

Intake season

Canada offers 3 intake semesters for admissions to its colleges and universities;

  • Fall semester in the month of September
  • Winter semester in the month of January
  • Summer semester in the months of April-May, though available very selectively.

Depending on the semester you plan to enroll in, International Students are advised to

  • Begin the admission process at least 6 months prior
  • Dedicate 3 of those months to accurately fill the application forms
  • Complete any aptitude or Language tests 3 months before

Complete visa application and interviews 3 months prior

Employment Opportunities and Future Prospects in Canada

Canada has distinct directives in place for its Student Visa which allows International students to work part-time 20 hours per week, while their course is in session and full-time during holidays and vacation.

Should said students wish to work on campus or intern with a company, then they will be required to get an additional work permit.

International students who wish to include work experience as part of their learning process can go for ‘Co-operative Education’, a unique platform that

  • integrates lecture-based education and practical work for a holistic learning experience
  • may require you to have a work permit as a good portion of the course includes work experience.

Additionally, International Graduates can attain a Post Graduate Work Permit and work in Canada for up to three years after graduating from a designated Canadian education institution. There are certain eligibility criteria you need to meet in order to receive this permit;

  • Uninterrupted full-time study for 8 months preceding the completion of course
  • Submit application for work permit within 90 days of written confirmation of successful completion of course
  • Possess a valid study visa while applying for work permit

Once you have acquired some work experience, you can even consider seeking permanent settlement in Canada at a later stage should you be keen to do so.

Student Visa Requirements

In order to study in Canada, the Canadian government requires International students to obtain,

  • A Study Permit- This is not a visa but a document issued by the Citizen and Immigration, authorizing International students to study in Canada.
  • Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)- This is required in order to enter Canada; it accompanies your Study Permit.

There are a number of documents required to be submitted for the Study Permit such as;

  • A valid passport
  • 2 Passport-size photographs
  • Completed Study permit form (IMM 1294)
  • Visa Application fee receipt
  • Acceptance Letter from University
  • Attested academic documents
  • Attested work experience documents, if applicable
  • 2 Letters of recommendation from employer, if applicable
  • Certified English Proficiency Test scores (TOEFL/ IELTS/PTE/DUOLINGO)
  • Scores for SAT/ACT/ GRE/ GMAT, if required
  • Proof of financial welfare to cover tuition, living expenses
  • Proof of medical health
  • Biometrics, if applicable

Additionally, there will be a personal interview conducted at the Canadian embassy for which you must ensure to take all necessary and additional documents especially those supporting your financial stability.

International Students will also need to submit form IMM5257E for Temporary Resident Visa and pay the required fees.

You will be required to prove to the officer that you;

  • Meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
  • Are in good health
  • Will be in Canada for a temporary stay.
  • Have no criminal history
  • Have no immigration-related convictions
  • Have sufficient financial support for your expenses

Student Direct Stream

A new service introduced by the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada for Indian students aspiring to enroll for higher education in Canada.

SDS enables Indian students to avail their visa in just 4-6 weeks by providing further additional documents.

Step-by-Step Guide to Application and Visa Process:

Given that the process of visa application is a bit different in comparison to other countries, you can rest assured that with our expert guidance and assistance OEC will offer you the best chance of success for acquiring your Canadian study permit and TRV.
All you need to do is;

  • Register on our website (provide link)
  • Schedule a meeting with our Admission counselor
  • Select a suitable course
  • Shortlist universities based on your preferences
  • With our assistance send your applications to the selected universities
  • Receive expert guidance for Visa application
  • Make payment of financial deposits
  • Acquire Letter of Acceptance from the university
  • Apply for Study permit and TRV
  • Attend our pre-departure session
  • Prepare yourself to discover the Great White North!