Canada, a country that features consistently as one of the happiest countries on the planet, has always been popular for its beautiful landscapes and high standard of living. With world-class cities like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Quebec, the country is also renowned among international students to pursue higher studies. Every year more than 200,000 international students choose to study in Canada as the inflation rate of the country is low compared to the other countries.
your options
bachelors and honors
Students at the baccalaureate or bachelor’s level are known as undergraduates. Successful completion of the secondary school program is the normal requirement for admission to undergraduate study. Bachelor’s degrees in Canada normally require three or four years of full-time study, depending on the province or whether the program is general or specialized.
Studying in Canada as a minor
Find out what a minor child needs to do to study in Canada if they’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The parents or legal guardians must prove the minor child will have the care and support they need during their stay in Canada. Minor children under the age of 17 must either: come with their parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada.
master's degree
The length of a master’s degree in Canada depends upon the university, the academic discipline, and whether the student attends full time or part-time. Programs range from one to two years and usually include a mixture of coursework and research. Majority of the universities in Canada require the applicant to have a three or four- year Bachelor’s program.
primary and secondary schools
In Canada, each province and territory is in charge of their own education system. Schools that teach students up to the grade 12 level are known as primary and secondary schools. Primary usually means grades 1-8 and secondary usually means grades 9-12.
All primary and secondary schools in Canada can enroll international students.
language schools
Many schools in Canada teach English or French as a second language. Language programs are uniquely structured. Since students arrive with different language needs, there are multiple options available to them. Some students will learn quickly, while others will take time. Language programs are offered for stays as short as two weeks. Other students stay for a year or more, depending on their needs.
post-secondary schools
Each post-secondary school has its own set of rules on how to apply, including the level of English or French you need to be accepted. Post-secondary schools are:
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- colleges
- universities
- Language school
Living as an International Student in Canada
A lot of Canadian international students have nothing but amazing stories of their stay in Canada. Most of these Canadian institutions have departments assigned to international students to help them settle in. Their new communities will also be there to provide them with support, helping them secure accommodation, navigate public transit, apply for health insurance, and providing all the necessary support they need to thrive in the country.
At every level of higher education in Canada, student life is a huge part of your experience. College and university connect you with friends and colleagues who will remain valuable contacts throughout your career. You’ll likely enjoy a fun and active social life—whether it’s meeting friends for coffee, going out, experiencing your city outside of class hours, or traveling around Canada during your study breaks with friends.
Most universities offer on-campus housing, with first-year students often prioritized for rooms. These are dormitory-style dwellings that may or may not come with shared amenities such as kitchens or bathrooms. Students who are uncomfortable with the idea of living in a mixed-sex area should inform the university of their requirements prior to reserving a room. Off-campus housing is also available in the form of family placement or private rentals.
Canadian cuisine goes far beyond the maple syrup and poutine stereotype, and thanks to French and British ancestry the nation offers a diverse set of dishes catering to every taste. Whether you sample the traditional French fayre offered up in Quebec, or the smoked meats, bagels, and tarts who owe their existence to the country’s population, most international students in Canada are likely to find something to remind them of home.
Students typically need between $15,000 and $30,000 Cdn per year to study in Canada, a figure which includes tuition, accommodation, and other living expenses. You will pay $15 Cdn for a typical restaurant meal or $2 Cdn for milk or bread. Monthly transport passes are priced at approximately $90 Cdn, and the average cost of basic utilities is $150 Cdn per month. Apartment costs vary wildly between regions, costing between $400-$1500 Cdn per month.
To work and study in Canada you must adhere to the rules of your study permit. International students are allowed to work jobs on campus with a valid study permit, but you must ensure that the company is legitimately university-affiliated. Off-campus work is also allowed for a maximum of 20 hours per week, but only if you possess a work permit or a study permit which states your eligibility.
rewards and benifits
At the time of writing, the number of international students studying in Canada is over 220,000, a figure that is constantly growing. Many of these students are choosing Canada over other potential destinations, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, because of certain advantages that studying in Canada can bring. With quality and more affordable tuition, safe cities, employment options (both during and after the study period), and as a pathway to Canadian permanent residence, the decision to study in Canada can be one of the most important, and best, decisions made by young people from around the world.
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Canadian universities and colleges located across the country are renowned for their research and innovation. Canada’s higher education institutions are diverse — varying in size, scope, character and breadth of programs. High academic standards and thorough quality controls mean that students may gain a high-quality education that will benefit their careers over the long term. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is generally recognized as being equivalent to those obtained from the United States or Commonwealth countries.
Canada is often the preferred choice for students who may also have the option of studying in countries such as the United States or United Kingdom because of the lower tuition costs. Compared to other countries, Canadian international tuition fees, accommodation and other living expenses remain competitive.
Students in Canada have the advantage of being able to work while studying. Among other benefits, this allows them to manage their finances without incurring enormous debt. To gain the right to work off-campus, students must:
- have a valid study permit;
- be a full-time student;
- be studying in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate that is at least six months in duration.
If a candidate qualifies, his or her study permit will allow him or her to:
- work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions; and
- work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break.
A typical path from student to permanent resident status in Canada is through taking advantage of something Canada offers that is not available, or more difficult to obtain, in other countries — a post-graduate work permit.
This work permit may be issued on completion of the study program for the duration that the program, up to a maximum of three years. Thus, a graduate who completed a four-year study program could be eligible for a three-year post-graduate work permit, while a graduate who completed a study program twelve months in duration could be eligible for a twelve-month post-graduate work permit.
Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program helps graduates to qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Moreover, certain provinces, such as British Columbia and Quebec, have immigration streams that identify certain graduates for permanent residence. Candidates for British Columbia’s International Post-Graduate Catagory have the advantage of not requiring a job offer and being able to have their application for permanent residence processed through the federal Express Entry Immigration Selection System. Students who graduate from a study program in Quebec may be eligible to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, commonly known as a CSQ) through the Quebec Experience class.
FAQ's
The first step is to get admission to a Canadian educational institution. Only designated institutions can be used to support a study permit application. Once you have a letter of acceptance, you can apply for a study permit. Applications can be made:
- At the foreign Canadian Visa Office responsible for their country or region.
All-new study permits are issued at a Canadian port of entry. An applicant who has submitted an application to a foreign Canadian Visa Office will be issued a letter of approval advising him/her to travel to a Canadian port of entry to have the study permit issued in his/her passport. A study permit should be issued for the duration of the person’s studies.
Applicants from countries requiring a Temporary Residence Visa must submit their passports along with their study permit application to a Canadian Visa Office abroad. A TRV will be issued in the passport to allow such applicants to travel to Canada to have their study permits issued at a Canadian port of entry.
A growing number of Canadian institutions offer entrance scholarships for international students. Information can be obtained through the financial aid office of the institution that you wish to attend.
The Ministry of Education in your home country may also have information for you on scholarships.
Paper applications are processed in an average of 7 weeks, with processing times ranging from 2 to 19 weeks, depending on the visa office. Citizenship and Immigration Canada is implementing an online application portal at certain visa offices. Processing times are significantly lower using online methods (ie. as little as 3 days).
When assessing study permit applications, visa officers determine whether an applicant is a bona fide student. This is determined through a number of factors, including but not limited to:
- The length of time the student plans to spend in Canada;
- The means by which the student will support themselves while studying;
- The student’s obligations and ties to their home country;
- The likelihood of the applicant leaving Canada after their temporary status ends; and
- General compliance with government regulations.
An individual may be refused a study permit if the visa officer reviewing their file determines that they are not a bona fide student. Reasons for refusal can include, but are not limited to, the following: - The visa officer does not believe the applicant will leave Canada after their status ends. This can be determined because of lack of ties to the applicant’s home country, the political/economic state of their country at the time of review, or if the applicant has overstayed previous temporary visas in any country;
- The visa officer does not feel the applicant’s acceptance to a Canadian institution is genuine;
- The visa officer does not believe the applicant has the means to support themselves while studying in Canada
If your application is refused, you have two options. You can either re-apply with a fresh application or contest the decision with an appeal in court. Both of these options may take several months.
Yes. Your study permit allows you to work both on-or-off-campus without a work permit. You are allowed to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during a regular academic session and full time during scheduled breaks. Students can now start working off-campus immediately after starting their studies.
If you studied full-time at a qualifying school for at least 8 months, you can apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit within 90 days of receiving your final marks. Your study permit must be valid at the time of your application. The PGWP is issued for the same duration as your studies, but for a minimum of 8 months and a maximum of 3 years.
If you plan to study full-time, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit. He or she must pass a medical exam. An offer of employment is not required. This open work permit is appropriate if your spouse is accompanying you but is not a student. In your study permit application, you should indicate that your spouse will be accompanying you to Canada. You could mention in your application cover letter that you want an open work permit for your spouse.
You may submit an application for a study permit for your accompanying minor children when you apply for your own study permit. A letter of acceptance from a Canadian school will not be required.
Yes, you can explore Canada as a visitor before you begin your studies. You should verify whether you need a temporary resident visa to enter Canada. Citizens of certain countries require a visa to visit Canada.
No. Your study permit application should be complete upon submission. If a document is missing, a visa officer may make a decision on your application without giving you a chance to submit the missing document.
Studying in Canada is considered inexpensive when compared to the other study destinations around the world. Canada welcomes international students at all levels of study.