Why study in Canada?
Canadian universities are rated among the best. They are renowned for offering high-quality education, experienced faculty, quality curricula as well as unparalleled infrastructure. Moreover, the comprehensive programs offered meet the demands of new-age education.
Why study in Canada?
Canada is one of the top five international study destinations in the world, with an international education market valued at over $21 billion. Canada ranks among the top most recommended study destinations for its welcoming atmosphere, top-ranked schools, innovative immigration programs, and excellent employment opportunities.
According to Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), 93% of students say they are satisfied with their educational experience in Canada. What draws students to Canada?
International students come from all over the world every year to study in Canada, making it one of the top study abroad destinations.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Canadian universities and colleges consistently place high on international rankings. Many universities are ranked in the top 100 by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities. Seventeen Canadian universities are ranked in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2022.
Canadian degrees and diplomas are widely recognized as comparable to those from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Canada also attracts top international faculty because of its investment in cutting-edge research in areas such as medical science, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and artificial intelligence.
AFFORDABLE COST
Canadian education is one of the most cost-effective. The tuition fees and overall costs of living are generally lower in Canada than in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The average undergraduate tuition for Canadian universities is approximately $34,000 CAD per year.
HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
Canada has ranked #1 in the Best Countries Ranking for Quality of Life for six years in a row (as of 2021). It is also among the top 15 countries on the UN’s 2018 Human Development Index, which assesses three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to education, and a satisfactory standard of living.
Surveys and research show that Canadians are generally happier and more satisfied with their lives than others around the world. According to the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canada has a high level of satisfaction globally, faring well above the USA, the UK, Germany, France and Australia.
MULTI- CULTURALISM
Canada is a welcoming country that embraces diversity and celebrates multiculturalism. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that “Diversity is Canada’s strength,” and Canadians’ “different backgrounds… and different stories are all part of what makes our communities and our country strong.”
Immigrants are the backbone of growth in Canada. A quarter of the Canadian population is either foreign-born or born to immigrant parents. The ten largest visible minority groups in Canada are South Asians, Chinese, Africans, Caribbeans, Filipinos, Latin Americans, Arabs, Southeast Asians, West Asians, and Koreans.
The 2016 census showed that more than ten religions are practised and over 200 languages are spoken in Canada. Canadians celebrate events and festivals from all over the world, such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, Caribana, Eid, and St. Patrick’s Day. Canada’s thriving multicultural society makes it a perfect home-away-from-home for students from around the world.
WORK DURING STUDY
The option to work while studying is one of the criteria for prospective international students deciding which country is the best fit for them. International students enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time, or 30+ hours per week, during scheduled breaks, such as the summer holidays.
Most students don’t need a work permit to work while they study, whether their job is on-campus or off-campus. Conditions for working are listed on each student’s study permit. Canada’s work during study option is beneficial for international students who want to build their resumes and gain more experience, save money for tuition, or make some extra cash to travel around the country.
PRO-IMMIGRATION POLICY
Students who study abroad usually get temporary status in the country they’re studying in. That status often expires when their program ends, so they have to return home after graduation.
Canada has programs designed to help international students gain Canadian work experience after graduation, and if they wish, transition to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets students who have graduated from a 2+ year PGWP-eligible program stay and work in Canada for up to three years. Students can use this work experience to qualify for permanent residency in Canada.
Some Canadian provinces also have additional immigration programs that encourage international students to stay and work after graduation and accelerate their permanent residency process. For example, the Atlantic provinces have the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program and Nova Scotia has the Graduate to Opportunity program.