Studying in Canada as an international student |
Study in Canada: Top Courses, Admission Requirements, Cost, Scholarships and Best Universities
Canada is the second-largest country in the world, with the longest land border with the United States. Canada has the highest level of tertiary education or higher education in many universities.
The high quality of life and education in Canada attracts many students every year. Immigration to Canada through education has always been a question for many of our friends. Because one of the fastest ways to immigrate to Canada now is to study in this country. In this scientific article, we have tried to answer all your questions and ambiguities and provide you with complete information about studying in Canada as an international student, top Courses, the Canadian student visa application process, cost of studying and living in Canada, scholarships opportunities and top-ranked universities in Canada.
Why Choose Canada for Higher Education
In recent years, Canada has occupied a distinguished position among international students around the world, as it rose to be one of the top 5 study destinations in the world, with approximately 600,000 international students studying each year.
According to Statista, Canada had nearly 530,540 international students in 2020, 638,960 in 2019 and 567,290 in 2018.
Canada provides high facilities and competitive educational quality, in addition to the prestigious universities that occupied advanced positions in international university rankings, in addition to the huge diversity of disciplines and different academic levels that satisfied the passion of many students,
Studying in Canada with more than 100 different nationalities of international students is an amazing experience for applicants to immigrate to Canada as an international student. Studying in this country in both English and French, living among Canada's multicultural population is an opportunity to learn a new language and learn about different cultures. If you are keen to continue living in Canada, studying in this country offers the opportunity to stay and search for a job for the same amount of time you study in Canada.
So if you intend to start your studies in Canada, we provide you with the most important information about admission to Canadian universities.
Study in Canada as an International Student
Canada is a country that welcomes immigrants with a very low unemployment rate. Studying in Canada is a great opportunity compared to other countries in the world.
Students can receive scholarships and cover living expenses at the master's and doctoral levels. Canada is distinguished from other countries in that it allows one of the parents to obtain a visa.
Also, the possibility of obtaining a companion visa for the spouse and children is one of the positive points in this country, which has made education in Canada very interesting for immigrants.
A husband/wife full-time work permit is a unique opportunity that this country offers to students. It is possible to obtain permanent residence after three years of residence in this country.
Top Courses to Study in Canada for International Students
Canada is one of the most popular countries to study abroad - both undergraduate and postgraduate. Let's have a look at the best courses to study in Canada for international students to get jobs.
Undergraduate study in Canada takes three or four years, so Canada's higher education system requires students who have completed graduate courses in addition to an elementary degree. However, there are also three-year courses for undergraduate courses that do not include complimentary courses.
Studying in Canada is possible for undergraduate international students at various universities and colleges, each of which has its own unique admission requirements.
Studying in this country for a bachelor's degree has its advantages. Also, if you do not have a language degree, you can first enroll in language courses in Canada and then enter your field of study at the desired university.
Studying in Canada for a master's degree is also known as a postgraduate programme. This course is suitable for people who want to increase their skills and experience. For this, a bachelor's degree with a grade point average of at least B+ and an IELTS language score of at least 6.5 is needed. However, if a student does not have a language certificate to study in Canada, they can enter the master's program after completing a language training course in Canada and obtaining the required IELTS score.
Master’s degree programs in Canada are usually in the form of Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc). Like England, Canada has master’s degrees at various levels including Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Engineering (MEng), and Master of Business Administration (MBA). This type of degree generally includes a thesis and forms a major part of the course and course validity.
Higher education in Canada usually lasts one to two years, during which time the student has 20 hours of part-time work per week. In addition to general education, master's degree programs in Canada include interactive training programs such as site visits, projects, and teamwork. The average cost of education in Canada is $16,500.
Postgraduate study in Canada usually begins in September, but some universities have several master's degree programs. After the Christmas holidays, students return to their studies in April. In general, the best age to study in Canada for a master's degree is between the ages of 32 and 31.
Higher education in Canada usually lasts one to two years, during which time the student has 20 hours of part-time work per week. In addition to general education, master's degree programs in Canada include interactive training programs such as site visits, projects, and teamwork. The average cost of education in Canada is $16,500.
Postgraduate study in Canada usually begins in September, but some universities have several master's degree programs. After the Christmas holidays, students return to their studies in April. In general, the best age to study in Canada for a master's degree is between the ages of 32 and 31.
Studying in Canada for a Ph.D. can be quite competitive depending on the circumstances, and a strong resume is an effective factor in obtaining a university degree.
Studying in Canada for a Ph.D. degree allows you to work with experts and gain advanced advantages. Generally, Ph.D. programs require a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years of study, in addition to full-time research.
Doctoral course applicants usually apply for a doctorate in two ways:
- Find a research project and apply for admission.
- Find a supervisor or teacher.
Studying in Canada for a Ph.D. requires an IELTS language certificate with a score of at least 7. Scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are also required for some majors in many Canadian universities. Most Ph.D. courses are research and financial support. It is also possible to work as a student in Canada at this time. Students using scholarships may not be allowed to work part-time due to the type and terms of their scholarship.
Before deciding to study in Canada, you must know the Canada Student Visa Requirements. A Canada study visa is a temporary residence that allows you to study, work and live in Canada, and it is one of the most popular ways to immigrate to Canada today.
How to Get a Canadian Student Visa
Canada Student Visa Application Process
Studying in Canada requires admission to a university or college in Canada. First of all, you have to send your application to universities on the designated dates that open the door to university admission, as the semesters are divided into spring, winter, and fall. Canadian universities usually accept students in the fall semester, but there are also applications received in winter and spring courses.
The documents required for admission to a Canadian university also include the following:
- A valid passport
- Identity documents
- University application form
- University deposit slip
- Latest obtained score
- The last three years of study
- IELTS language certificate
What are the Required Documents for Canada Study Visa?
To study in Canada after admission, documents must be submitted to obtain a student visa, which varies depending on the university and the circumstances of the applicant.
Normally, the documents required to obtain a student visa include:
- Proof of acceptance by a designated learning institution.
- Student CV for the last two years, diplomas, bachelor's and master's degrees with transcripts degrees).
- Passport valid for at least 6 months and two blank pages
- Two-piece passport copy (maximum 6 months)
- Passport size photographs
- Recommendation Letter
- Statement of purpose
- Portfolio of some fields of art, design, and architecture
- English language proficiency exam score (generally IELTS score 6 or higher)
- Pass the GRE and GMAT exams if required for some majors and universities
- Prove that you have adequate funds to pay your tuition fee and living expenses.
- Prove that you have a clean background and no criminal record.
- Do a health checkup and produce a medical certificate that certifies that you are in good health.
Can I Study in Canada without IELTS?
An English or French language certificate is required to study in Canada. But it is possible to immigrate to Canada through education without providing a language certificate as well, as the university offers conditional admission to the applicant, so he must go through language courses before starting university studies. These courses cost $7,000 to $49,000.
Some Canadian universities offer conditional admission to graduate students who will be allowed to study in Canada if the applicant can reach the required language level.
It is also possible to enroll at a master's level without submitting a language certificate.
You can apply to Canadian colleges without a language certificate. In these courses, the college will provide you with conditional admission, and you can improve your language level by participating in the language courses held by the college or the institutions themselves.
To study for a Ph.D., you must have a language certificate, and without a language certificate, admission to the university is not possible.
Is Higher Education in Canada Free?
Students whose father holds a Canada Work Visa or “Canada Study Visa” are eligible to receive free education in Canadian public schools. This way, if you work or study in Canada, you will save $15,000 per year if you have one child and $30,000 per year if you have two children between the ages of 7 and 18.
But if you are over 18 and looking to study for free in Canada, it depends on whether you are a resident student (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) or an international student.
In general, free education in Canadian universities or colleges is not available to either international students or local students. However, education in Canada is distinguished from education in other countries with some advantages;
- First of all: the cost of education in Canada is cheaper than all the English-speaking countries in the world, especially immigrant-friendly countries such as the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
- Secondly, a “post-graduation work permit” can be obtained from one year to a maximum of three years.
- Third, international students can obtain permanent residence in Canada by studying.
Therefore, it can be said that immigrating to Canada to study is not just a cost, but a long-term investment. Studying is one of the fastest, cheapest, and “best” ways to immigrate to Canada, as all other ways require waiting for some years and paying many times more cost. But this does not mean that there is no way for international students to get a free education in Canada. You can get a scholarship or study funding to cover the costs of living and studying in Canada.
How Much Does it Cost to Study in Canada and Live?
It is usually cheaper to study in Canada and live compared to studying and living in other English-speaking countries such as England, America, Australia, and New Zealand. The cost of living and studying in this country varies depending on the student’s lifestyle, major city, and university.
The general costs of studying and living in Canada for a foreign student are as follows:
- The average cost of living and tuition for students under the age of 18 is $32,000 to $45,000, depending on the college's rank and reputation.
- The cost of education in Canada for bachelor’s and master’s degrees is $10,000 to $20,000 (average 14,000) Canadian dollars annually. Art and science courses are generally cheaper, while majors such as engineering and medicine are more expensive.
- Postgraduate studies, such as the MBA, are generally more expensive, costing about $42,000 per year in Canada.
- The average cost of living in Canada (for food and housing) is around $900 to $1,300 per month, which is $15,000 per year for Canada. Generally, costs are higher in larger cities.
Get Scholarships to Study in Canada
Canada welcomes international students and grants them many scholarships to facilitate their studies in Canada. The World Health Summit (WHS) in Canada awards scholarships at different levels to international students studying in Canada.
Scholarships in Canada, as in many other countries, are awarded at the doctoral level, so it is difficult to obtain a scholarship at the other levels. The scholarships offered to Ph.D. students are as follows;
Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES): It is awarded to international students at the Ph.D. level
IDRC Research Awards: IDRC - International Development Research Centre offers grants, scholarships, and awards to researchers and students from developing countries to obtain a Ph.D. at a Canadian university.
Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship: Trudeau Scholarships are awarded each year to support highly gifted and actively engaged doctoral students for a Ph.D. in different fields of study.
Scholarship offered by Canadian universities: In addition to the scholarships mentioned, Canadian universities offer scholarships to international students at the doctoral level.
What are the Best Universities in Canada for International Students?
List of Top 10 Ranked Universities in Canada
Canada is world-famous for its higher education system. For many applicants to study in Canada, the quality of education and the rank of the university are very important.
The following is the list of Top 10 Ranked Universities in Canada:
1. The University of Toronto: A public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.2. The University of British Columbia: A public research university in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
3. McGill University: A public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
4. McMaster University: A public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
5. University of Alberta (UofA): A public research university in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
6. University of Montreal (Udem): A French-language public research institution of higher education in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
7. University of Calgary (UofC): A publicly funded research university in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
8. University of Waterloo (UWaterloo): A public research university with the main campus in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
9. University of Ottawa (UOttawa): A bilingual public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
10. The University of Western Ontario (UWO): A public research university in London, Ontario, Canada.
Conclusion:
There are many advantages that make Canada a favorite study destination for many international students, perhaps the most prominent of which are the cultural diversity and the welcoming social environment, in addition to the quality of education and unique tourist attractions.
If you want to know the best Canadian universities and choose between them, find the top-ranked Canadian universities, and also search for the most appropriate study disciplines for you.