Study in Canada: Costs, Top Universities, Applications, Deadlines, Visa Process & Job Opportunities

Studying in Canada is an emerging trend among international students due to the high academic standards and global recognition. Canada is attracting international students from all around the globe for its innovative higher education system, hassle free visa application process, and excellent placement opportunities. The universities and colleges in Canada are consecutively ranking among the best universities in the world. Currently, 3 of the top 50 universities in the world belong to Canada.

Since 2013, the growth of Indian students in Canada saw a remarkable 260% expansion, recording an overall international enrollment of 800,000 students in 2022. Indian students constitute more than 28% of the international student population of the country. Indian students in Canada secured 226,450 permits in 2022, increasing from 52,645 study permits in 2016. By now, around 753,000 students secured Canada student visa in 2023.

The varied programs in Canada, state-of-the-art research facilities, and world-class atheletics, sports, and recreation opportunities skyrocketed the improvement of the higher education system. The high standard of living, equality in diversity, peaceful society, and placements in Canada are some of the factors responsible for attracting international students. International students from Asian countries like India, China, and Korea contribute to a major part of the international population pursuing higher education in Canada.

Study in Canada: Top Colleges for Indian Students

The universities in Canada provide admission to international students across various academic levels. Some of the top universities in Canada offering admission in various academic terms are as follows:

Looking to study in Canada with a scholarship? Check out the most popular full-ride scholarships for Indian students in Canada:

Why Study in Canada as an International Student?

Indian students can choose to study in Canada after 12^th across the universities or colleges offering education in English. Post graduate courses in Canada are more popular among international students as majority of these courses are offered in English. Some of the factors influencing the increase in international students pursuing higher education in Canada are discussed below:

• Canada’s International Education Strategy (2019-2024): The education strategy of Canada is aiming to promote global ties and diversify the education sector. The country has spent 49.46 billion CAD on postsecondary education of international students.
• Easy Visa Policy: Canada welcomes the international student population with open arms. The immigration-friendly policies and multi-cultural cities make it easier for students to live abroad.
• Cost-effective Academic Quality: Considered a better study location as compared to the USA, Canada ensures that its students receive a quality education at affordable prices. The cost of studying in Canada is relatively lower and the scholarship opportunities available are relatively more.
• Surplus of Job Opportunities: The Canadian job sector offers both natives and immigrants with plenty of high paying job opportunities in Canada. International students earn an equivalent salary as compared to the native workers across various sectors.
• Declining International Acceptance Rates in USA: The acceptance rate of US F1 visa has seen a decline which opens doors for Canada as the next popular study destination.

With burgeoning middle-class income aspirants in the developing countries, reduced costs of education and living expenses have played a vital role in the rising demand for studying in Canada. Canadian universities are expected to see a large part of incoming foreign students in the future due to the uncertainties surrounding visa approval in the US.

Despite all the pros of studying in Canada, adjusting to extreme cold weather can be a little difficult for international students.

Top Courses in Canada

The commonly opted courses by international students in Canada are in the field of Business and Finance, Engineering, Computer Science and IT, Humanities, Health & Medicine, Life Sciences, and Media & Journalism among numerous others. Here are a few top programs offered by the Canadian universities:

Popular Programs and Courses in Canada: Currently, one year masters programs in Canada are available across numerous top universities. Here are some more programs to look forward to studying in Canada:

What to Study in Canada?

Education in Canada is cheaper and recognized globally. The flexibility and variety of programs offered by the education system in Canada is the foremost reason why the number of international students studying in Canada has grown by nearly 400% since the last decade. The education system of Canada is divided into three levels:

• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Post-secondary Education

The Hierarchy: After completing their elementary and secondary education for up to the age of 16-18, students move on to their Post-secondary Education. Listed are the post-secondary programs and their duration in the Canadian higher education system.

With a huge number of short-term courses in Canadaopen for international students, you can find many designated colleges offering only short-term courses like diploma and certificate programs for a specific level of education.

Language Requirements: Out of the two official languages of Canada i.e. English and French, students need to be well acquainted with any one of these languages compulsorily. One can also opt for language courses offered at some of the universities and colleges in Canada.

Where to Study in Canada?

Apart from wishing to studying in your preferred university, you might be interested in knowing the best student cities in Canada. Some of the most popular student cities include Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, Vancouver, and Edmonton. Here is what you can expect when choosing universities in these particular student cities:

• Toronto: Located in the province of Ontario, Toronto is home to Canada’s most reputable university, University of Toronto. It is also the largest city in Canada and boasts of being one of the world’s most multicultural cities. The city is known as the financial center of Canada, with 5 of the largest banks in the country.
• Vancouver: This young city in Canada, is the third-largest metropolis in the country. Vancouver makes it to the most liveable cities in the world. Home to universities like the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, and more, it is best for students who wish to combine city-living with laid-back outdoors within easy reach.
• Montreal: Canada’s second-largest city is the highest in a concentration of post-secondary students. Montreal features in Best Student Cities as per QS. It is home to universities like McGill, University de Montreal, and Concordia University.
• Edmonton: The capital of province Alberta, Edmonton is also popularly called the Festival City. It is home to UAlberta and offers students relatively decent weather to survive in Canada.

How to Study in Canada?

Application timeline of pursuing higher education in Canada is as follows:

Canada Admission Requirements

In the following section, documents required to study in the top universities in Canada are listed below:

• Scanned copy of passport
• Academic transcripts from your previous institution, that is
  • School-leaving certificate, if applying for a Bachelors course
  • Bachelor's degree certificate, if applying to a Masters course
  • Any other relevant certificates of merit
• Letter of recommendation (If needed)
• Proof of English language proficiency (Average scores):
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • TOEFL iBT: 80
• PTE: 60 or equivalent test scores
• Statement of purpose for Canada
• Resume or CV, if needed

Study in Canada with IELTS

The minimum IELTS score requirements to study in some of the top Canadian universities are listed below

Canada Student Visa

International students must obtain a study permit to study in Canada for a duration of more than 6 months or continue ongoing education in Canada. A student visa in Canada is known as a study permit.

When should you apply for the Canada study permit?

Planning is the most important part when deciding to study abroad in Canada. Students aspiring to study in Canada are advised to apply for their study permit 4 to 6 months prior to the beginning of their classes.

What are the documents required to apply for the student permit?

• A letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution (DLI) is mandatory to apply for a Canada student visa.
• Valid passport or travel document
• Identity proof, authorized by the resident’s government.
• A financial statement in support of the candidate’s eligibility to meet living costs and fees is also required.
• Medical information
• A letter defining your statement of intent and how will you add to the pool of resources there.

Apply: Application for Canada Student Permit can be made online and offline via:

• Government of Canada Key, log in at GCKey
• Visit the nearest VAC (Visa Application Centre) or apply at the entry port

You can restore your status as a student if you are planning to extend your stay in Canada by renewing the study permit for 350 CAD (Restoring status - 200 CAD & new study permit - 150 CAD)

How should you prepare for the visa interview?

After the visa application process, students are called for an interview. This process is a bit strenuous and requires a lot of preparation. Students are advised to go through a student guide for tips to crack visa interviews.

If you are accepted at a Quebec based institution, produce the following documents additionally:

• Letter of explanation/ SOP
• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)

Canada study permit takes 6 weeks’ time for processing. However, with the introduction of the SDS Program, students from China, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines can get their visas within 45 days.

How students immigrate to Canada?

Migrating to Canada becomes easy after obtaining a degree from a Canadian university. The Canadian government has many programs dedicated to the transition of an international student into a permanent resident.

For recent graduates, Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is open to gain some working experience within the Canadian industry.

Some of the other offers for international students include:

• Canadian Experience Class: For students who have completed 2 years of education and have work experience of 1 year.
• Quebec Experience Class: Students must have proficiency in the French language and completion of the CEGEP program from an institution in Quebec.
• Provincial Nomination Program: Eligible candidates apply via a paper-based process or express entry after getting nominated by the province officials.

Cost of Studying in Canada

When planning to study abroad, the tuition costs and budget planning are the first things crossing our minds. You need not worry much about Canada Study costs. It stands out to be the most student-friendly country among others due to its affordable study options. Studying and living in Canada may cost up to 38,000 to 39,000 CAD per year for an international student. The tuition fee for an undergraduate degree varies from 1,800 to 20,000 CAD (1.10 to 12.25 lakhs INR) per year. Cost of accommodation, food, books, and supplies, as well as transportation, add to your budget. Estimated annual expense average around 12,000 CAD (7.35 lakhs INR).

Tuition Fees for Popular Courses in Canada

Some of the most popular courses in Canada for international students are listed below.

Tuition Fees in Canada vs USA and UK

A close comparison of the average expenses of studying in Canada, USA and UK is tabulated below.

Also check the brief comparison between the cost of studying in Canada vs India for an Indian student:

Scholarships to Study in Canada

To reduce the financial burden, prospective students can apply for scholarships in Canada for international students initiated by the Government of Canada and external organizations.

Jobs after Studying in Canada

Jobs in Canada are available for students of all levels, graduates, and professionals alike. Plenty of work-study in Canada options is available for international students. You can work either on-campus or off-campus, you can work as a co-op student or as an intern. You also have the option to stay and work in Canada after your graduation. You will need a work permit (PGWP) to work in Canada. Application for Post-graduation Work Permit costs $255 CAD.

Job opportunities for graduates in Canada from the high-demanding fields and their respective mid-career salaries are as follows:

The Canadian universities with the highest employability rate are:

• Concordia University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Toronto
• University of Waterloo

Study in Canada: ROI for Top Universities

Here are some important things to take away with you, if you are planning to study in Canada:

How much does it cost to study in Canada?

The cost of studying in Canada vary depending on the university of choice or level of study. However, the basic costs for certain programs and at a certain levels of study are:

• Undergraduate programs: 7,700 to 23,200 CAD (annual)
• Some of the popular bachelor’s programs costs in Canada:
  • Btech in Canada: 158,000 to 323,000 CAD (total)
• Postgraduate Programs: 11,600 to 27,000 CAD (annual)
• Some of the popular masters programs to study in Canada:
  • Masters in Canada: 20,000 to 30,000 CAD (annual)
  • MBA in Canada: 21,000 to 105,000 CAD (overall costs)
  • Masters in Data Science in Canada: 22,000 to 44,000 CAD (overall costs)
  • Masters in Business Analytics in Canada: 26,000 to 56,000 CAD (overall costs).

Canadian Student Visa

• Eligibility: Register to DLI, show minimum funds, obtain a medical certificate, proof that you will leave Canada after completion of studies.
• Application Fees: 150 CAD (9,200 INR)
• Minimum Funds Required: 10,000 to 11,000 CAD (6.13 to 6.74 lakhs INR) for the applicant.

Immigration & Residence

• Immigrant friendly nation
• PR is comparatively easier to obtain
• For immigrating to Canada, the initial and most important step is to complete the Express Entry Profile. The invitation to apply for a PR is based on the individual score and rank in the express entry profile.
• You can find out more on the Canadian Immigration website.

If you have made your decision to study in Canada, vastly different natural and cultural experiences await you in the friendly, tolerant, and globally recognized powers. Your education standards will be comparable to those at Ivy League institutions and studying in Canada will offer you all this at a cheaper price than other international education destinations.

Study in Canada FAQs