Study in Canada

Canada places a high emphasis on education. Ninety percent of Canadian adults aged 25 to 64 have completed upper secondary education (high school) and 64% of adults within the same age group have completed post-secondary education. With over 90 universities and 150 colleges and technical institutes, Canada has a well-supported, well-funded educational system. Canada spends approximately 6% of its GDP on education (as opposed to an OECD average of 5.2%), ensuring a high standard of education with high-tech facilities.

Despite such high quality education opportunities, tuition fees in Canada are some of the lowest in all English speaking countries. International students can earn money by working off campus for up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full time during breaks. The approximate earnings can range from C$8– C$10 per hour for those working part time to C$400 to C$1,000 per month for those working full time off campus.

In the Canadian educational system, there are both publicly funded and private institutes. These include community colleges or technical institutes, career colleges, language schools and universities and university colleges. Oversight for the tertiary and vocational education system is undertaken on a provincial basis, so systems may vary slightly in different provinces, but a general high standard is maintained.

Undergraduate studies:

• Successful completion of secondary academic studies equivalent to the Canadian secondary school academic program
• Strong academic records
• Proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).

Graduate Studies:

• Completion of undergraduate program from a recognised university
• Strong academic records and reference letters
• Standardised tests like Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Please note that requirements may vary between different universities and individual courses and some may have their own set of admission tests.

Besides acquiring a student visa to study in Canada, you also have to meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations.

You need to submit the following documents along with your visa application:

• Completed Student Application form.
• Completed Supplementary Questionnaire (students and postdoctoral researchers)
• Official acceptance letter from the chosen Canadian university, college or technical institute
• If planning to study in Quebec, a Certificate of Acceptance from the province of Quebec.
• TOEFL/IELTS scores, if applicable
• Passport, valid for at least one year from the planned date of entry to Canada, plus valid passports of any accompanying dependents
• Bank draft for the applicable visa processing fees.

A student must substantiate their ability to pay for the tuition fee, day-to-day living expenses and the living costs of their family (if they are accompanying the student), and the ability to pay for a return ticket back to their country of origin once the program comes to an end. When the essential documents have been submitted, a student may be called for an interview with a Canadian Visa Officer. After the interview a student along with any accompanying family members would receive information about undertaking a medical examination. On successful completion of all required formalities and if there are no other concerns with the application, the candidate is issued a visa.