Canadian education for students is a common choice because of this country’s reputed and affordable education system. Reportedly, in 2020, Canada welcomed more than 620,000 international students from all study levels in Canada. Apart from a highly renowned Canadian education system, excellent post-study work, infinite opportunities for immigrants, and an affluent lifestyle are the factors that contribute to its popularity among Indian students.
Canada Student Visa and Study Permit
Students seeking to pursue their studies in Canada must possess a study permit. Essentially, a student visa gives you the authority to enter Canada, whereas a Study Permit provides you the validity to reside in Canada. International students can’t do without a Study Permit as it is a compulsory immigration document.
Supposedly, if you possess a Study Permit, make sure you have an enrolment in a study program. Also, you must be able to show timely progress in your program or course.
Notably, a study permit also comes along with two other compulsory documents, the Visitor Visa and the Electronic Travel Authorization. These two documents are essential for you to come to Canada, while the study permit enables students to acquire studies in Canada.
Canadian education for students- what about the cost?
The type of institution students choose for themselves, and their qualifications, determine the cost of studies in Canada. This specifically implies the tuition fee expenditure. They will require at least an amount between CAD $13,000 and CAD $35,000 in one year.
Usually, courses related to Humanities and Arts tend to be less costly, whereas studies in Medicine and Engineering tend to be more expensive.
Students who wish to proceed with higher studies at the postgraduate level need to pay the higher cost of tuition fee. However, the expenditure will differ based on the program they choose.
Compared to other countries, MBA courses tend to be highly expensive. Hence, the average cost for such programs lies between CAD $30,000- CAD $42,000.
In case you would like to pay a reduced fee for your educational expenses, start applying for several Canadian scholarships.
Canadian education for students- with scholarships
Students pursuing their Canadian studies can access popular scholarships with government funding. Refer to the table given below:
| S. No. | Name of the scholarship | Description |
| 1 | Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute | Offers various fellowships across different levels, ranging from graduate to post-doctorate and from research to training fellowships. |
| 2 | Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan | This scheme applies to students with a high level of intellect from Commonwealth countries, applying to advanced study programs and Masters and Ph.D. level of research. |
| 3 | Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program | This scholarship applies to graduates in a diverse range of disciplines. |
| 4 | National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) | Master’s degree holders in engineering and Ph.D. holders in natural science or engineering disciplines can access Research Associateship. |
| 5 | Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship | This scholarship to Quebec students pursuing their studies. |
| 6 | Ontario Trillium Scholarship | Announced in November 2010 for the first time, applying to Doctoral students from all corners of the world to study in Ontario. |
| 7 | Partnership Grants- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada | This scholarship applies to Ph.D. candidates. |
| 8 | Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships | The Canadian government offers this to international students so that they can pursue postgraduate programs within natural science, social sciences, or healthcare research. |
| 9 | Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | The Government of Canada provides this scholarship to deserving students (as a reward) who wish to pursue a doctorate degree at a Canadian institution. |
Canadian education and its intakes for students
Colleges and universities in Canada tend to allow three intakes, compared to other universities. Also, a few universities also address “intakes” as semesters. Canada’s three intakes include the following:
- Fall– The Fall intake in Canada begins in September and Indian students experience this the most.
- Winter– The Winter intake in the country is meant for January, appropriate for those students who missed the Fall intake.
- Summer– The Canadian Summer intake starts in April and May and students can access it only if they fall under specific programs and colleges.
Trending study courses in Canada
The most prominent study courses or programs in Canada include Business, Computer Science, Physiotherapy, Health Sciences, Animation, Gaming, Engineering, Information Technology, and Hospitality.
Eminent universities in Canada for students
Students must acknowledge the world university rankings when determining which Canadian university to pick for studies.
| S.No. | Names of Institutions in Canada | QS Global Ranking for 2023 | QS Global Ranking for 2022 |
| 1 | University of Toronto | 34 | 26 |
| 2 | McGill University | 31 | =27 |
| 3 | University of British Columbia | 47 | 46 |
| 4 | University of Montreal | 116 | 111 |
| 5 | University of Alberta | 110 | 126 |
| 6 | McMaster University | 152 | 140 |
| 7 | University of Waterloo | 154 | =149 |
| 8 | Western University | 172 | 170 |
| 9 | University of Ottawa | 237 | 230 |
| 10 | University of Calgary | 242 | 235 |
Canadian Job Prospects
In previous years, Canada has witnessed a plethora of international students across the globe. The country never failed to provide endless career opportunities to either students or working professionals. According to the recent rankings of Forbes and US News, Canada continues to be at the top among G20 countries. It is famous worldwide for establishing business operations. Additionally, The Economist Intelligent Unit also ranked this country as being the third best for its business skills over the past few years, competing against the G5 countries. This stands true for the period between 2018 and 2022, also indicating that international students have a diverse range of opportunities to choose from, once they complete their education or even during their course of study.
Canada’s cost of living
The cost of living in Canada will significantly differ from an individual’s native country. Hence, it becomes all the more crucial to understand the lifestyle prevalent in Canada and the cost of living. Quebec is one of the few places in this country where the cost of living is relatively lower than other cities.
Essentially, students looking forward to acquiring a Study Permit must prove their financial potential before the Canadian government. Additionally, students must consider the following expenses while planning their education budget:
- Communication expense– Students must separate their money for phone and internet data because this is an essential expenditure, which is unavoidable. Figure out low-budget calling plans and look for students’ discounts. CAD $20 is the average monthly cost for such an expenditure.
- Textbook expenditure– The expense of textbooks can be really high, specifically engineering courses or programs. On average, the cost will lie between CAD $250 and CAD $350. Courses or programs related to medicine, pharmacy, and law will be costlier. Students must smartly plan their budget with the use of old books, accessing digital books, or registering at a library.
- Personal expenditure– Your everyday expenditure will include things like clothing, laundry, toiletries, eating outside, and much more. However, most of it will rely on the kind of lifestyle you choose from.
Conclusion
Canada is home to at least 42 top universities, with McGill University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Toronto as the most popular among them. Moreover, Canadian education is everything any student would want for a great career.