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.
Universities in Canada
| Title | Summary |
|---|
Top Courses in Canada
Affordable Education at Top-Ranked Institutions
While Canadian universities are among the highest in rank and education quality, they are more affordable than competing markets. Canadian tuition rates and living costs are lower on average than the other most popular study destinations in the world.
Have you ever dreamed about becoming an oceanographer at a top research institute? How about a Northern Studies expert who tackles polar research? Interested in studying the oil and gas industry, international forestry, or clean energy engineering?
In addition to traditional programs in sciences, arts, and humanities, Canadian universities offer many unique programs such as:
- Aerospace Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering) at Toronto Metropolitan University
- Oceanography at Dalhousie University
- Clean Energy Engineering (Master of Engineering Leadership) at the University of British Columbia
- Creative Industries (Bachelor of Arts) at Toronto Metropolitan University
- Animal Biology (Bachelor of Science) at the University of Guelph
- Business Administration (BBA) and Computer Science (BSc) (Double Degree Co-op Program) at Wilfrid Laurier University
- Data Sciences (French Immersion Stream) (Bachelor of Science) at the University of Ottawa
- Biomedical Technology (Master of Biomedical Technology) at the University of Calgary
- Northern Studies (Bachelor of Arts) at the University of Northern British Columbia
These are just a few of the many unique programs that Canadian universities have to offer. These programs provide international students with specialized, expert knowledge in their field of study, providing them with a competitive advantage in the workforce in Canada or in their home country.
Colleges
Colleges and institutes focus on providing an applied, technical education to prepare students for a specialized career path. College class sizes are usually smaller than university class sizes, allowing teachers to spend more time with their students and provide a practical, hands-on educational experience.
Colleges and institutes work closely with businesses and industries to create customized programs that cater to what employers need. They often provide internship opportunities, co-op programs, and work placements, giving students the experience they need to kickstart their careers.
The decision to attend college rather than university is becoming more and more popular for students with a more practical and career-focused education goal. The number of students who hold a university degree and decide to attend college has doubled since 2010, according to Statistics Canada. This indicates that an increasing number of university graduates are turning to college to gain the practical experience needed for employment.
Students can earn diplomas, certificates, and postgraduate diplomas at Canadian colleges. Many colleges and institutes also offer university transfer programs, and apprenticeship programs, and some offer academic and applied degrees.
Canada is home to 127 publicly funded colleges, institutes, and polytechnics, with over 10,000 programs.
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Broadcasting and journalism
- Business
- Dental hygiene
- Design
- Engineering technology
- Environment
- Health
- Hospitality management
- Information and communications technology
- Languages and arts
- Sciences
- Social services
| Program Type | Program Duration | Study Level (UG/PG) | Academic Prerequisites |
Available at University | Available at College | Available at Vocational School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Diploma | 2 | Undergraduate | High School | No | Yes | No |
| Advanced Diploma | 3 | Undergraduate | High School | No | Yes | No |
| Post Graduate Diploma | 1-2 | Postgraduate | Regular/ Advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree | No | Yes | No |
| Certificate | <1 | Undergraduate | High School | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Post Graduate Certificate | <1 | Postgraduate | Regular/ Advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree | Yes | Yes | No |
| Associate Bachelor’s | 2 | Undergraduate | High School | Yes | Yes** | No |
| Bachelor’s | 3-4 | Undergraduate | High School | Yes | Yes** | No |
| Honours Bachelor’s | 4 | Undergraduate | High School | Yes | Yes** | No |
| Master’s | 1-2 | Postgraduate | Bachelor’s Degree | Yes | No | No |
| PhD | 3-7 | Postgraduate | Master’s Degree | Yes | No | No |
Career Opportunities in Canada
Education Cost in Canada
Scholarships in Canada
Some Canadian provinces and territories offer scholarships for international students to attract them to study at institutions in their region. Many universities also offer specific scholarships, funding, and financial aid for students wanting to study at that school. These may be a program or department-specific awards and may depend on the level of study.
Students are encouraged to check out the financial aid section of the school’s website for more information.
| Scholarship | Description |
|---|---|
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship available for master’s and doctoral (PhD) students studying at Ontario institutions. A small number are available for international students.
|
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship | The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is for doctoral students. Selection criteria is based on academic excellence, research potential, and leadership (demonstrated and potential ability). Candidates must be nominated by the school they want to study at. They don’t apply directly for the scholarship.
|
| Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) – for students | The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Education Exchanges for Development (SEED) provides students from ASEAN member nations with short-term exchange programs to study or research at Canadian postsecondary institutions at the college, undergraduate, and graduate levels.
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| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships | The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral award is for Canadian and international doctoral students who are pursuing social science or humanities research.
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| Entrance Scholarships | Many universities in Canada offer Entrance Scholarships based on the student’s high school grade point average. These awards may be renewable each year of the student’s program. Students usually don’t need to apply for these scholarships as they are automatically considered when they apply. Students should check the school’s website for more specific information about Entrance Scholarships.
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Choosing the University and Course in Canada
Application Procedure in Canada
Education System in Canada
The Canadian Government invests heavily in the Canadian education system and has one of the highest rates of post-secondary education completion (61%) amongst OECD member countries.
The oldest post-secondary institution in Canada is Université Laval, established in 1663. The oldest chartered university in Canada is the University of King’s College, first founded in Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1789. The university still exists today in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Many of Canada’s most renowned universities were established soon after: Dalhousie University in 1820, McGill in 1821, Queen’s University in 1842, the University of Toronto in 1850, and many other universities followed. Western Canada’s universities began with the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The University of Alberta is Western Canada’s oldest university, established in 1908.
The Canadian post-secondary education system continues to flourish and grow with the demands of an increasingly globalized economy, adding new courses and programs to offer the most innovative education in each field.
Education is highly valued in Canada and the Canadian Government invests heavily in the Canadian education system. As a result, Canada has one of the highest rates of post-secondary education completion, at 62% as of 2018.
Canada hosted over 530,000 international students in 2020. The Canadian government rolled out a new International Education Strategy for 2019-2024 that aims to promote further growth and diversification in this sector.
Canada’s K-12 education system is renowned for its high-quality institutions and teaching. Many options are available for students to receive a well-rounded K-12 education to prepare them for post-secondary education or working life.
Canada is an increasingly popular choice for international post-secondary study. International students accounted for 23.8% of new university enrolments, and 16.3% of new college enrolments during the Canadian 2017/18 academic year. Canada is home to some of the world’s best and most affordable post-secondary institutions.
Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs)
A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is a school approved by the provincial or territorial government to host international students. It is strongly recommended that international students choose to attend a DLI.
All primary and secondary schools are Designated Learning Institutions, but not all post-secondary institutions in Canada are DLIs. The Government of Canada lists all approved DLIs on its website.
International students can study at institutions that don’t have this designation, but only students who attend school at DLIs can work while they study. More importantly, only graduates from the approved list of programs at DLIs are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows students to legally stay and work in Canada after they graduate.
The Government of Canada website currently states that if an international student’s school loses its DLI status after the student receives their study permit, students can:
- Keep studying their program until the permit expires
- When the permit expires, students should renew their permit only if students enrol at a DLI
26 Canadian universities feature in QS’s 2022 World University Rankings, with three institutions in the top 50, and 13 in the top 300. 40% of faculty at Canadian universities have an international degree, providing students with varied professional perspectives.
Canada’s universities range from small liberal arts institutions to large, research-focused institutions with global reputations, so students can choose which learning environment best suits their educational needs and career goals. Canadian university graduates leave with internationally recognized and respected degrees.
Canadian universities grant a full range of degrees, including 3-4 year bachelor’s degrees, 1-2 year master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees (PhDs). Canadian institutions also grant professional degrees including medicine, law, dentistry, architecture, and business. Some professional certificates, diplomas, and shorter programs can also be completed independently or in conjunction with a degree.
Here are some reasons why students choose to study at Canadian universities:
- Canada provides quality and choice. There are 103 universities to study at, offering over 30,000 different undergraduate and graduate program options in over 700 fields of study.
- According to the QS 2022 Best Student Cities Ranking, Canada has 3 of the top 20 best student cities globally: Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.
- Canada has seven universities that rank within the top 150 for graduate employability, according to the QS 2020 Graduate Employability Ranking.
- A recent study conducted by Cturtle (2020) found that international alumni from Canadian universities were more likely than alumni from the UK or Australia to recommend studying in Canada due to their overall satisfaction with living, studying, and feeling welcome in Canada.
- The QS 2018 Higher Education System Strength Rankings rate Canada’s system fifth strongest among 75 other countries.