Know About the Canada
Present-day Canada is a culmination of the Canada’s indigenous group, French and British traditions. Thanks to this multi-faceted cultural influence, its high quality education system, modern infrastructure with supreme campuses, Canada has became a favorite destination for international students. With the exception of the coastal cities, winters in most parts of Canada is long and harsh. However, the summers are quiet warm and you will find Canadians enjoy kayaking, hiking and outdoor sport activities. The diversity in landscapes and the natural beauty that the country provides is one of the things that keeps attracting people here.
​
Quick facts:
-
Capital: Ottawa
-
Major cities: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton
-
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
-
No. of Provinces and Union Territories (UTs): 10 Provinces and 3 UTs
-
Official Languages: English and French
-
Motto: A Mari Usque Ad Mare (Latin) [From Sea to Sea]
-
National Anthem: O Canada
-
Royal Anthem: God Save the Queen
-
Time Zones: UTC−3.5 to 8, Summer (DST): UTC−2.5 to −7.
-
Climate: Most parts of Canada faces harsh winter especially in the interior and Prairie region where continental climate is usually experienced. The average temperature is near -15 °C and can drop below -40 °C with severe wind chills. While the coastal average high temperatures are in the low 20s °C, and occasionally the interior high temperature exceeds 40 °C.
Education System
Canada’s education system is one of the reputed ones in the world. Moreover, it is quite affordable to study and live here as an International student. Generally, Canada’s education system is divided into: Elementary, Secondary and Post-Secondary. Here, till secondary school, public education is free. After secondary school, student can either opt for community colleges or universities. These education institutes offer:
​
-
1-year long Certificate courses – 2 years long Diploma courses
-
3 years long Advanced Diploma programme which can lead to Bachelor’s degree
-
12 to 17 weeks of Post Graduate Diplomas/Certificates which provide practical experience and theoretical study.
A Bachelor’s degree is awarded by an universities after a 4-year study in a particular field. While a Master’s degree is awarded to graduates who pursue learning and research in their which is usually 2 years long and is awarded after a Bachelor’s degree.
​
The degree higher than Master’s is of Doctorate or Ph.D. which takes 4 to 7 years to finish after Master’s.
Universities
Being an international student, the goal is always to get into the top universities. And choosing universities is important as it will help with setting the pace of your application and provide you with an end-destination to target. We have curated the list of top 10 universities in Canada to help you in decision making:
1. University of Toronto
2. McGill University
3. University of British Columbia
4. Université de Montréal
5. University of Alberta
6. McMaster University
7. University of Waterloo
8. Western University
9. Queen’s University
10. University of Calgary
Below are some of the colleges participating under the SDS (Student Direct Stream) in Canada:
1. Sheridan College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Oakville, Ontario
2. Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology, Toronto, Ontario
3. Durham College, Oshawa, Ontario
4. Sault College, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
5. Northern College, South Porcupine, Ontario
6. Centennial College of Applied Arts & Technology, Toronto, Ontario
7. Camosun College, Victoria, B.C
8. College of New Caledonia, Prince George, B.C
9. College of the Rockies, Cranbrook, B.C
10. Columbia College, Vancouver, B.C
11. Bow Valley College, Calgary, Alberta
12. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Alberta
13. Assiniboine Community College, Manitoba
14. Parkland College, Saskatchewan
15. Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon
​
Our team of counselors at Soham Learning, can you help you shortlist universities basis the course you desire and your future career plan.
​
​
Admission Requirement or Eligibility
Even though some universities have their own criteria, there are certain eligibility requirements that are common.
For Undergraduate:
-
Must be 18 years of age. This ensures work authorization on their work permit
-
Completed 12th standard with minimum 70%.
For Bachelor’s or Diploma or Certificate courses:
-
Flexible admissions
-
IELTS score: overall 6/6.5 band
-
TOEFL: PBT – 550 (min.), CBT – 213 (min.)
For Postgraduate or Master’s courses:
-
2 to 3 years of full-time work experience
-
GMAT: 580-600 (min) – IELTS: overall 6.5 band – TOEFL: PBT – 580-600 (min), CBT – 237-250 (min)
-
4 years of Bachelors degree with 70% average.
Cost
Getting a degree from Canadian University is said to be an investment in your future. And as an international student, securing admission to a Canadian college requires planning as well as financial commitments before you reach Canada. We can split the cost into 3 parts: pre-admission costs, college or tuition fees, and living expenses. Below are the approximate costs:
1. Pre-admission costs include IELTS, Visa fees along with onward air tickets would be around CAD 1,215 – 1,500.
​
2. Generally, annual tuition fees in Canada are between CAD 10,500 to CAD 30,000 for undergraduates and CAD 15,000 to CAD 55,000 for post-graduates, depending on the province, city and college.
​
3. Depending on the lifestyle a student’s monthly expense can be between CAD 700 to CAD 1,000, which amounts to CAD 8,400 to CAD 12,000 annually.
Post Study Work
Once your program is completed and has received your final marks, you have 180 days to apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Some points to note for the validity of the permit:
​
-
If your program was for less than 8 months, then you are not eligible for PGWP.
-
If your program was for more than 8 months but less than 2 years, then you get an equal amount of work permit. For example, 1 year of study gets you 1 year of PGWP.
-
If your program was for more than 2 years, then you get a validity for 3 years.
You must ensure that you have a valid passport for the entirety of the PGWP.
Once your PGWP expires, you can either choose to return to your home country or apply for Permanent Residence under the Canadian Experience Class (Federal Skill Worker).
​
Work Permit for Students
As an international you can work on or off-campus if your study permit has a condition. In order to do so you will have to meet the requirements, additionally, you can work in Canada only when your study or program starts and must stop on the day it ends. For this you need to have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and you can work only in the campus you are studying. However, for working off-campus you may need to ask to add the conditions in your permit. You can work 20 hours per week on an off-campus job or work full-time during the regular breaks such as winter and summer holidays. But the condition here is that you are full-time before and after the break.
​
A student can earn up to CAD 19 per hour working as a part-timer.
Scholarship
International students are eligible for merit and need-based fee waiver. If you have a strong academic background with good scores in standardized exams, along with extracurricular achievements, you can apply for financial assistance with your college. You can take this opportunity by submitting required documents before the deadline issued by your respective college and write a good presentation of the application while applying. The documents usually required are:
​
-
Academic records and photocopies
-
Recent CV (it would be a good idea to create one in Canadian format.)
-
A letter of intent is also your cover letter.
-
Language proficiency certificate, such as IELTS or TOEFL
-
Letter of Reference
Student Visa
You can apply for a Student Visa, once you receive the acceptance or confirmation letter from your university or college. Generally, if you are aiming for September intake, then it is advised to start the Visa process by June. Below are the documents that are absolutely needed:
​
-
Proof of University/College acceptance
-
Proof of financial support: If you are the only person going, then you must show fund proof of CAD 10,000 per year excluding tuition fees. An additional CAD 4,000 is needed if there is a dependent family member with you.
Additional documents that may be required could be:
-
Transcripts, certificates of previous academic records
-
Intent of depart from Canada after your course completion
-
Scorecard of TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT/GRE/SAT
Family/
Dependent Visa
In case your spouse or family intends to accompany you, then you can apply for a Dependent Visa for them. All is needed to show that you have adequate funds to support them, which is CAD 4,000 annually in addition to your annual funds of CAD 10,000 and tuition fees. Moreover, your spouse can work full time if they plan to stay for more than a year.
Lifestyle
Generally, Canadians are open-minded and have harmoniously adapted to various cultures. Even so, Canadians do have certain behavior expectations. Below are some tips that can help you adjust to your student life in Canada:
​
-
Canada is known for its mix of British and French traditions, so it never disappoints when it comes to open theatre or cultural activities for entertainment. Going for a local play or exploring the architecture is something you can always enjoy during your break.
-
Canadians love their hockey, therefore if you are interested in sports, it would be a good idea to pick up a new sport and make more acquaintances. Apart from hockey, you can enjoy most of the sports as there are indoor facilities available for it. And if you do not mind bundling in layers and the cold weather you can try skiing, skating, and even tobogganing while you are in the country.
-
The Canadian education system is a more hands-on experience, so be ready for some real-life projects that you would be assigned in your lectures.
-
While commuting, using public transport is the best way. You can get bus or metro passes to help reduce your expenses.
Process Flow
Below is the step-by-step guide to applying for Student Visa in Canada:
1. Choose your Course, Institute, and understand their requirement: This step will be useful in planning your documents and next steps as per the requirement. Ensure that you mark the deadlines for application and prepare for the requirements well in advance of the deadline.
​
2. Take the language proficiency test: As per college and province requirements, you will need to take tests in English or French or both to gain admission. Generally, most institutes accept IELTS, TOEFL scores and for French, it is DELF, TCF, or TEF. Ensure your scores meet at least the minimum requirement of the college.
​
3. Start applying with the universities: Choose your institutes well and back your application with all the necessary documentation, well-written SOPs, and documentary evidence. It helps to complete the application well in advance and not wait until the deadline. After this, it is the crucial waiting period for receiving the acceptance letter.
​
4. Apply for Student Visa: Once you receive your acceptance letter, you need to start preparing your financial support proof, apply for Visa and work permit. For Quebec, ensure you include your CAQ (Certificat d’acceptation du Québec) along with your acceptance letter. Follow the procedure to get biometrics, medical exam, and police verification certificate without delay.
​
5. Travel and Study: After this process, you might have to go for an interview, if required, and you will be on your way to Canada. Once you complete your study you can apply for PGWP and then opt for PR or return to your home country.
Free Services
University Short Listing
Assistance in shortlisting colleges and universities appropriate to your career goals and aspirations.
​
Admission Process
Guidance throughout the process from collecting relevant documents in the correct format to submitting applications to tracking the updates.
​
SOP Assistance
Assistance in writing a well-crafted SOP that meets the requirement of the university and helps you get your visa processed without delays.
​
Interview Preparation
Special sessions and workshops with our experts to prepare you for the interviews before the date.
Education Loan
Provide guidance and counsel for the best way to get financial aid through education loans and other options, if available.
​
Air Tickets
Assistance in booking your flights once you have your visa approved.
​
Travel Insurance
Guidance to get the best deal on travel insurance suitable for the country you plan to study.
​
Airport Pick-up
Provide assistance with arranging for a pick-up for you at the airport once you land in the country you plan to visit.
​
Accommodation
We can help get you accommodation in a new country.