ABOUT CANADA
Canada is a country, consisting of ten provinces and three territories It is the 2nd largest country by size and has a population of around 3.5 crore people. It is one of the wealthiest country in the world with the tenth highest nominal per capita income globally, and the eighth highest ranking in the Human Development Index.
Canada is most famous for its natural beauty. To many in other countries, the word “Canada” evokes images of wide-open spaces, dramatic mountains, pristine forests and majestic lakes. Canadians are widely regarded as friendly, polite, well-educated, interesting and healthy they are a multicultural society with two official languages, English and French, and are proud of their ethnic diversity.
Canada has consistently ranked among the top 10 countries to live in the world since 2004 according to the United Nations (UN) and the Economist Intelligence Unit. In fact the top 5 cities to live in North America are all in Canada as Canada's largest cities Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary have been recognized as world class cities in which to live and work.
BENEFITS OF STUDYING IN CANADA
Canadian students perform well in reading, literacy, maths and sciences, they consistently rank top among English and French speaking countries according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Canada is the home of some of the world’s top research facilities and academic institutions. More than one third of Canada’s research is conducted at Canadian universities – one of the highest rates among OECD and G8 countries.
More than 300,000 international students choose Canada in 2013! As Canada's education system is excellent and ranks among the best in the world. Moreover Canadian tuition fees are among the lowest in English-speaking countries.
Canada has 4 universities in the top 100 of the Shanghai World University Rankings (2014).
5 MBA schools in Canada placed in the top 100 Financial Times Rankings (2014).
WHY STUDY IN CANADA
Qualifications Valued Around the World
Canada’s high academic standards and rigorous quality controls mean that you’ll be earning a high-quality education that will open doors for your future and benefit your career over the long term. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is globally recognized as being equivalent to those obtained from the United States or Commonwealth countries.
Affordable Education
The quality of education and living standards in Canada are amongst the highest in the world, but the cost of living and tuition fees for international students are generally lower than in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. As such, Canada is often the preferred choice for students attending college or university.
Multicultural Society
With almost all of the world’s ethnic groups represented in Canada, In fact, your international student advisor can help you get in touch with any number of ethnic clubs and associations for you.
Healthy and Safe Communities
The United Nations consistently ranks Canada as one of the best places in the world to live. As an international student in Canada, you’ll enjoy all of the same freedoms which protect Canadians – respect for human rights, equality, and a stable and peaceful society.
World-Class Language Education
Canada is a bilingual country and is considered a world leader in language training since teaching French and English as a first and second language is an integral part of a Canadian education; you will be able to improve your fluency and capacity for either language as you further your studies.
Exciting Campus Lifestyle
Canada’s post-secondary campuses aren’t only wired with the latest in sophisticated technology, but countless other modern amenities as well. From Olympic-quality sports facilities to public concert halls and art galleries, Canada’s post-secondary campuses offer you enormous possibilities for learning and leisure. Plus, you’ll have incredible opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and gain valuable experience through student-run governments, radio, newspapers and businesses.
Innovative and Abundant Research Opportunities
Since research is one of the key components of a Canadian post-secondary education, you’ll have ample opportunity to become a part of this vibrant aspect of education. In Canada, government and industry together support research including: telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, computer technology, and environmental science.
Land of Possibilities
Under Canada’s highly dynamic and hands-on academic environment, you will not only acquire knowledge and skills in analysis and communication, but you will also learn how to express yourself, demonstrate your creativity, and develop your self-confidence! Teachers and professors are always available to help with lessons, and studies fuse academic excellence with interaction and collaboration in the classroom.
Possibility of Immigration
Some international students with Canadian credentials and Canadian work experience may apply for permanent residency without having to leave Canada.
EDUCATION SYSTEM IN CANADA
The education system in Canada encompasses both publicly-funded and private schools. In line with its commitment to the education sector, Canada’s public education is free up to and including the level of secondary school in all provinces. Post secondary education is offered by Community Colleges and Universities. Education is a provincial responsibility under the Canadian constitution, which means there are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces. However, education is important to Canadians, and standards across the country are uniformly high.
The following are the types of Educational Institute in Canada:
- Universities & University Colleges
- Community Colleges/Technical Institutes
- Career Colleges
- Language Schools/Secondary Schools
Universities & University Colleges
A university college offers university degrees as well as college diploma and certificate programs Canadian universities are largely public funded and as a result, are of a consistently high quality, regardless of location or area of study.
Community Colleges/Technical Institutes
Colleges and technical Institutions are popular education choices in Canada; they offer professional programs of 1 to 3 years. The post-secondary institutions which are members of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) are officially known by a range of titles, including Community College, College, Technical Institute, University College, and Cégep
Qualifications offered in Canada
- Certificate : 1 year duration
- Diploma: 1-2 years duration.
- Advanced Diploma: 3 years duration
- Bachelor Degree: 4 years duration
- Post graduate Diploma: 2 years duration
- Masters degree: 2 years duration
- Doctorate: 4-6 years duration
REQUIRED TESTS
Canadian colleges and universities accept IELTS scores as proof of English proficiency. Depending upon the institution, the score requirements may vary between 6.0 - 7.0 bands in IELTS.
COST OF LIVING & TUITION FEES
Cost of studying in Canada is quite affordable when compared to other western countries
Tuition Fee:
Community Colleges/Technical Institutes - CAD $10,000 to 15,000 P.A
Universities / University Colleges - CAD $ 10,000 to 22,000 P.A
Cost of Living
For accommodation, students have a number of options available that can be on-campus or off-campus such as hostels, rented housing, home stay etc.
Cost of living for students in Canada is CAD$ 10,000 as per Canadian High Commission.
APPLYING FOR A VISA
Intakes
1. January
2. September
3. May / June – few institutions with limited courses
Work Option
International Students studying in Canada can work for 20 hrs per week and full time during Public holidays or Vacations. Dependants (spouse / partner) of student can work full time. Some Canadian universities and colleges provide Co-op program in which a student can work as part of the course in their related field and also earn credits for it.
Obtaining a Canadian Student Visa.
- The Minimum Processing time for student visa is about 1-2 weeks. However the processing time may vary according to the Canadian Immigration Council.
- To obtain a student visa, you will have to satisfy the Visa officer that you have enough funds to pay for Tuition Fees and Living Expenses for your course.
- As per the new SPP visa rules students have to pay 1st Semester fee in advance to the Canadian college and for living expenses the candidate has to show living expenses through GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) from Scotia Bank in advance into a specially designated bank account in Candidates name which will periodically release funds for Candidates when they are in Canada.
- Under the SPP route visa success rate is very high with little documentation. Usually there is no visa interview.
- In case a student does not opt for SPP program then the regular visa process is applicable. In this complete documentation and financial proof for remaining fee and one year living expenses is required.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN CANADA
Students in Canada have the advantage of being able to work while studying .Gain valuable work experience and supplement your spending allowance with a student job.
While you must supply sufficient evidence that you can pay for your tuition and living expenses before you arrive in Canada, there are a number of student work permit programs for international students and their spouses/common law partners that make working in Canada possible.
To gain the right to work off-campus, students must:
- Have a valid study permit;
- Be a full-time student;
- Be enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level or, in Quebec, a vocational program at the secondary level; and
- Be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration.
If a candidate qualifies, his or her study permit will allow him or her to:
- Work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions; and
- Work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break.
POST-GRADUATE WORK PERMIT
A typical path from student to permanent resident status in Canada is through taking advantage of something Canada offers that is not available, or more difficult to obtain, in other countries — a post-graduate work permit.
For the intended course duration less than 2 years but more than 8 months, the student is eligible for work permit for a period no longer than the length of the program of study. If the intended course duration is 2 years or more, the student is eligible for a work permit for up to 3 years.
A PATHWAY TO CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENCE
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program and other categories. |
